Dog bites are a serious public health problem in the United States. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, and over 800,000 of these bites are serious enough to require medical attention. Children are particularly vulnerable, with kids between the ages of 5 and 9 having the highest rate of dog bite injuries.

Dog bite injuries can be severe, including deep lacerations, puncture wounds, crushed bones, nerve damage, infections, scarring and disfigurement, and psychological trauma. In the most extreme cases, dog attacks can cause death, particularly in young children and elderly victims.

Dog Bite Laws Vary by State

The legal framework for dog bite liability varies significantly from state to state. North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia each take a different approach.

North Carolina

North Carolina follows a one-bite rule with statutory modifications. Under traditional common law, a dog owner is liable for injuries caused by their dog only if the owner knew or had reason to know that the dog was dangerous. This is sometimes referred to as the one-bite rule because the dog effectively gets one free bite before the owner is put on notice of its dangerous propensities.

However, North Carolina has a statute (N.C.G.S. section 67-4.4) that imposes strict liability on owners of dogs that have been declared dangerous by animal control. Owners of dangerous dogs are strictly liable for any injuries their dog causes, regardless of whether they knew the dog would bite. Additionally, local ordinances in many North Carolina cities and counties impose additional requirements and liability on dog owners.

South Carolina

South Carolina has a strict liability statute for dog bite injuries (S.C. Code section 47-3-110). Under this statute, the owner of a dog that bites a person is liable for damages if the person was in a public place or was lawfully on private property, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous. This means the victim does not need to prove that the owner knew the dog had a propensity to bite.

Georgia

Georgia uses a modified one-bite rule combined with a negligence standard (O.C.G.A. section 51-2-7). The owner is liable if the dog was vicious or dangerous, the owner carelessly managed the dog or let it run free, and the dog bit someone who did not provoke it. Georgia also imposes liability if the dog was in violation of a local leash law at the time of the attack.

Defenses in Dog Bite Cases

Common defenses in dog bite cases include provocation of the dog by the victim, trespassing on the owner's property, assumption of risk such as interacting with a clearly aggressive dog, and comparative fault of the victim.

Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bite victims may be entitled to compensation for medical treatment including surgery, antibiotics, and plastic surgery for scarring, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress and psychological counseling, permanent scarring and disfigurement, and future medical treatment.

Contact Dr. Ted Injury Law

If you or a family member has been injured in a dog attack, contact Dr. Ted Injury Law at (800) 555-HURT for a free consultation. We handle dog bite cases throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.