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Columbia Dog Bite Attorney

A dog threatening you with its teeth bared is terrifying. Your dog turning on a stranger is shocking. At Auger & Auger, we know that dog attacks can have devastating consequences for both victims and owners. Our Columbia dog bite attorney has seen the physical injuries caused by aggressive canines, and we have witnessed the emotional turmoil owners face knowing they may be forced to have their dog euthanized.

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“Don’t worry, he’s friendly!” It’s a phrase often used by owners when their dog approaches a stranger. The majority of dog owners don’t believe that their pet would ever harm anyone but the reality is that any dog will bite under the right circumstances. The trouble is that dogs don’t tell us when they are going to attack — or so we think.

Aggressive Canine Body Language

It’s true that dogs don’t speak with their mouths, but they say volumes with their body language — just like we do. The majority of them give some type of warning before they launch an attack. Our Columbia dog bite attorney understands that these signals are often missed by victims, probably because they’ve never had a reason to enlightened on the subject.

You can help to prevent yourself from injury when you know a bit about canine responses, and what they are telling you. The average dog will exhibit one or more of the following signs before resorting to biting:

• Trying to move away
• Stiffening of the entire body (like a statue)
• Growling
• Wrinkling of the nose
• Ears flat back against the head
• Lifting their lips to bare their teeth
• A quick nip

If you are getting any of these warning signs from a dog — no matter how adorable it may be — slowly back away. You’ll be protecting yourself from a serious wound and the owner from having to put their dog down.

No Free Bites in Columbia, SC

Some states have a one-bite rule that says the owner isn’t liable the first time around. If the dog bites again, however, the owner will be forced to compensate the victim and possibly euthanize the animal. South Carolina doesn’t follow this guideline — we follow the strict liability rule. This means that an owner is automatically on the hook if their dog reaches out and bites someone, regardless of whether or not it has a perfectly innocent past.

The South Carolina code of law is very clear on the responsibilities of owners. According to Section 47-3-110, if a person is bitten by a dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private residence, the owner or person taking care of the dog is liable for damages suffered. The only exception to the law is in cases where the victim purposely provoked the dog or entered the premise illegally.

Excellence Is Not A Question

A dog attack is an emotional experience. You are frightened, then shocked and worried about how well you will heal. You may also be concerned about the welfare of the dog and the loss the owner is facing. As a Columbia dog bite attorney practice, we understand how overwhelming this predicament can be for you — and we are here to help!

The attorneys at Auger & Auger have nearly 50 years of combined legal personal injury experience. As the victim of a dog bite, you can feel confident knowing we have your best interest in mind. We will focus on your case and fight to recover the compensation you are entitled to under state law. You have rights and we are here to protect them — and our zero-fee guarantee means that you don’t pay unless we win your case.

Call (803) 470-5298 today for your free consultation, with no fees due until recovery!