Home › Charleston, SC Personal Injury Attorneys › Charleston Dog Bite Attorney

Charleston Dog Bite Attorney

An attack by a ‘domesticated animal’ may have been the last thing you expected. But with 1 out of 50 Americans sustaining a dog bite each year (totaling 4.7 million people annually) you could unwittingly become 1 of the 914 victims sent to the ER with dog bite injuries on any given day.    

Medical attention comes first, and your next best step is to connect with a Charleston dog bite attorney who will make certain your rights are protected, and that all the right boxes are checked toward building a strong case. The team of Auger & Auger is highly familiar with Charleston animal regulations and dog bite laws, and we have a formidable success record of getting our clients the compensation to which they were entitled.

At times, insurance adjusters will demonstrate bad faith in their handling of your claim; an occurrence which could prompt our pursuing a civil court case in lieu of a settlement. Examples of this deceptive treatment might be: a) purposely stalling progress of the investigation, b) requesting excessive or irrelevant documentation from you, c) changing an adjuster midstream, d) attempting cancellation of their policy, etc.

Is a Dog’s Life Really That Easy?

In the United States, over 36% of our households include at least one dog. It’s been proven that dogs help to increase our exercise levels, decrease stress and provide delightful playmates for our families. Sometimes it’s even hard to remember that it is they who have adapted to us, and not the other way around.

We do, however, need to keep in mind that while our domesticated canines appear to enjoy more naps and general loafing, their thinly-veiled lack of interest can quickly switch over to their animal instincts.  

Notice the way a dog is strikingly similar to a human infant in the way they pay attention to us. Your dog may be so closely attuned to you that they will ‘read’ something as subtle as a change in your eye direction. This may be a source of pride for you, but it should also be a forewarning of how quickly a dog’s reaction can change from submissive to forcefully aggressive.

Image Credit Link

Charleston Dog Bite Prevention for Non-Owners  

Remaining confident is a good thing, however, you’ll also want to maintain a cautious body language because the wrong attitude can also provoke at attack.

• Refrain from approaching an unfamiliar animal.
• Do not approach a dog without their owner or handler present.
• Don’t run away from a dog; showing panic will incite them.
• Avoid eye contact and remain calm, stay motionless.
• ‘Do not disturb’ a dog while sleeping, eating, or protecting their young.
• If a dog is injured or sick, do not approach them.
• Let the dog smell your hand before petting, then scratch under the chin.
• Teach your children to always ask the owner’s permission prior to approaching someone else’s dog.
• Steer clear if the dog is barking or growling at you.
• Report strays and strange behaviors to the local animal control.

Charleston Dog Owners Can Curb Bad Behavior

Spaying or neutering dogs has been proven to lessen a dog’s dominance-related behaviors; such as barking, aggression, biting, mounting.  

Socialization is a big factor in reducing your dog’s apprehension around strangers and other animals. Many parks and local veterinarians sponsor these classes for low fees.

Don’t bring your dog’s favorite toy, dog treats or human food to the dog park as this may trigger territorial aggression.

A dog on a leash will react defensively when approached by unleashed dogs; follow suit at the dog park and unleash your dog as well.

Be aware that dog attacks in Charleston fall under ‘strict liability;’ i.e. the victim does not have to prove the owner was negligent. The ‘One Bite’ Law is not in effect in the state of South Carolina, so there is no ‘free pass’ for first-time offenders. The only exception is proving that the victim intentionally provoked your dog.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week® takes place during the second full week of April each year and focuses on educating people about preventing dog bites.

Auger & Auger Charleston Dog Bite Attorney

If you or a loved one has sustained a dog attack, our Charleston dog bite attorney stands ready to advocate on your behalf and help to protect your rights within South Carolina law. A swift identification must be made of the animal and the owner or other responsible parties in order to authenticate the evidence necessary to support your claim. You must also file an animal incident report with the SCDHEC.

There may very well have been painful injuries along with ferociously inflicted rips, tears and fractures suffered. In addition to ensuring swift attention for your medical needs, Auger & Auger offers a zero-fee guarantee because we have mastered the art of compelling evidence-gathering to determine how your claim is best pursued. If no satisfactory settlement can be reached with insurers, we will represent your case in civil court.

Call (843) 751-4690 today for your free consultation, with no fees due until recovery!