A resident returned to his home last Friday to find a dead man on his porch, an apparent victim of the resident’s dogs. An autopsy confirmed that the man’s death was the result of a dog attack, and an investigation revealed that the man had been inside the home where the dogs were located at some point, but had later died of his injuries on the front porch. The suspected intruder was identified as a 21-year-old Atlanta man who had active warrants out of Fulton County. The resident told investigators that he did not know the man or why he would be in the home.
The dogs were seized as part of the investigation, but there are no charges expected against the homeowner. In Georgia, a property owner can face criminal charges as well as civil liability for injuries caused to others if they own a dog that is known to be vicious and bites someone when it is allowed off-leash or is not kept in an enclosed pen with a warning sign. Additionally, negligent owners who failed to protect others from their dog by obeying state and local leash laws can face liability for injuries caused to others, even if the dog had not behaved aggressively before. However, there is no duty of care owed by dog owners to trespassers who are bitten by a dog when they enter a private home without permission.
More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the U.S. each year, with around 800,000 of those bites being serious enough to require medical treatment. If you suffered a dog bite while on a public property or legally on private property, an attorney from Cambre & Associates LLC can explain the legal process involved in seeking compensation for your injuries. Contact us for a free case evaluation.