Dealing with the aftermath of a dog attack can feel utterly devastating. Not only can you end up with severe injuries that can lead to a long-term impact on your quality of life, you may find yourself struggling with ongoing PTSD or anxiety around other dogs, especially if you suffered severe injuries. What do you need to know about dog bite laws in Georgia? Can you seek compensation for a dog attack? Take a look at everything you need to know about Georgia dog bite laws.
Protections Offered by Georgia Dog Bite Laws
Georgia dog bite laws provide protection when:
- A dog kills or injures livestock belonging to another party
- A vicious dog causes injuries to another party
Current Georgia dog bite law does not offer the type of one-bite protection found in other states. However, it does offer protection when a dog owner negligently controls the animal, leading to serious injuries. For more details on what to do if you suffer an attack, you can refer to what to do if you are bitten by a dog.
Local Requirements
Many areas of Georgia have specific leash laws and other requirements that govern when a dog has to be on a leash. For example, city ordinances may require you to keep your dog on a leash when off your property. If your local requirements require dog owners to strictly control their dogs, and the dog’s owner fails to control the dog properly, resulting in a dog attack, the dog’s owner may bear liability for the attack. For guidance on handling such incidents, check out how to handle a dog bite incident.
Vicious Dog Requirements
Georgia law does require dog owners to leash or control vicious dogs. Vicious or dangerous dogs may include those who have shown a habit of biting or attacking in the past, or who may have caused serious injury or damage to other people or dogs. Dog owners who own vicious animals may bear liability any time they fail to properly control the dog and it results in an attack.
The Damages You Can Recover After a Dog Attack
Following a dog attack, you may have the right to compensation for any injuries you sustained because of the dog’s dangerous actions. In order to establish liability for the dog attack, you may need to show that:
- The dog’s owner committed an act of negligence in some way. That may mean that the dog’s owner failed to adhere to local leash laws or dog control mandates, or that the owner of a vicious dog failed to take any steps necessary to keep the animal under control.
- You had the legal right to enter the property where the dog attack occurred. For example, trespassers who end up suffering injuries in a dog attack may not have the right to seek compensation for their injuries.
- You did not deliberately or knowingly provoke the dog in any way. In general, when dogs attack due to provocation, the person provoking the dog will bear liability for the attack.
Damages you can recover after a dog attack may vary depending on the extent of your injuries. However, most dog bite claims do include compensation for the damages you sustained in the dog attack. For more information on what steps to take, you can refer to what to do if you suffer an attack from your neighbor’s dog.