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Dog Bite Lawyer

Dogs truly are man’s best friend. Many breeds are perfect for our children, and others make great companions at work. While we may think our dogs would never cause harm to anyone, the truth is that all dogs are descendants of wild wolves. That means that in certain circumstances, our dogs will act aggressively, either in self-defense or in defense of their alpha (a.k.a. their owners). When that happens, you or a loved one could suffer severe injuries and, in rare instances, death.

There are approximately 4.7 million dog bites every year, of which about 800,000 result in the need for medical attention. While that may seem like a lot of bites that need medical attention, it’s only 19% of all bites. However, when dog bites are severe enough to warrant medical attention, they can result in deep lacerations, disfigurement, infection and more.

If you have been bitten by a dog in either North or South Carolina, you do have legal options, especially if that dog belongs to someone. You can hold the dog owner responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, emotional damage, and more. This lawsuit will most likely be against the owner’s home insurance provider, which means the insurance company’s team of lawyers will come to court against you.

Don’t face the legal process alone. At Auger & Auger, we have represented thousands of injury victims over the last 26+ years. We know what it takes to fight the insurance company both in and out of court to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (800) 559-5741 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with a dog bite attorney today.

Why Do Dogs Bite?

Dogs bite for a variety of reasons. In rare instances, they may be trained to fight, and that aggression comes across when they come across any human or other animal. Much more often, dogs bite because they are scared or in a stressful situation, such as being backed into a corner or having a child play with them too roughly.

In addition, if they feel threatened, or feel like their puppies or owner is threatened, they may bite or otherwise attack in an attempt to provide protection. Dogs may also bite if they are startled or not feeling well. If the dog in question is a puppy, they may not realize how sharp their teeth are when they are playing.

All of these situations involve the actions of humans or other animals that push the dog to defend itself. Though some dogs are naturally more aggressive than others, the right training can all but eliminate that behavior. That doesn’t mean, however, that a dog won’t bite unprovoked. No matter the reason for the bite, you may be entitled to compensation if you’re injured by a dog attack.

What Dogs Bite the Most Often?

It’s a common myth that big dogs bite the most often. However, this isn’t the case. Bigger dogs do have much stronger jaws, but unless they are trained to be attack or defense dogs, they are usually more docile. However, bigger dogs are more likely to be used for such jobs, which makes them disproportionately more likely to bite someone. Smaller dogs, on the other hand, feel threatened more often due to their size, and therefore are more prone to bite in general.

In addition, dogs that are not spayed or neutered are more likely to bite than dogs that are fixed.

The dog breeds that are most prone to biting include:

• Chihuahua
• Bulldog
• Pit Bull
• German Shepherd
• Australian Shepherd
• Lhasa Apso
• Jack Russell Terrier
• Cocker Spaniel
• Bull Terrier
• Pekingese
• Papillion

Dog Bite Laws in North and South Carolina

North and South Carolina have different laws in regards to dog bites, including who can be held liable and when a lawsuit can be brought forward. South Carolina follows a “strict liability” law when it comes to dog bites. This means owners can be held liable for injuries, even if the owner didn’t know the dog would bite someone.

However, under South Carolina law, the owner can only be held liable if:

• You are injured because the dog bites or attacks you;
• You were either in a public place or lawfully in a private place when you were attacked; and
• You did not provoke the dog.

“Otherwise attacked” means you don’t just have to be bitten by a dog to seek compensation. For example, if someone’s big Great Dane come sprinting across the park and knocks you over, causing fractured bones, you can seek compensation.

Unlike South Carolina, you must show that the dog that injured you or caused damage to your property was a known “dangerous dog” as defined by North Carolina law. A “dangerous dog” is one that:

• Has already severely injured or killed someone in an unprovoked attack;
• Has been trained or is owned for the purpose of dog fighting; or
• Has been deemed a “potentially dangerous dog” by the local animal control board. This means dogs who have bitten someone, have attacked and/or killed another animal, or have acted threateningly or aggressively when approached by another person.

Like South Carolina, North Carolina follows strict liability laws. This means you don’t have to show the owner failed to act with reasonable care in order to seek compensation. For instance, you can seek compensation for a dog bite from a leashed dog just as easily as you can if the dog was off its leash. The owner does not have to have reasonable knowledge that the dog would bite in order for you to seek compensation.

Seek Help from a Dog Bite Attorney Today

Dog bites in the Carolinas are common, and they can cause severe injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered major or fatal injuries because of a dog bite, we can help. The dog bite lawyers at Auger & Auger have been helping dog bite victims for over 26 years. We know what needs to be proven in order to get you the compensation you deserve, and we know what evidence must be shown.

If you’re hesitating because you’re not sure if you can afford our services, don’t! We don’t charge a dime unless we win your case; our payment comes from the compensation we win on your behalf. Call us today at (800) 559-5741 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with a dog bite attorney today.