Northern Kentucky & Statewide Representation
For Dog and Animal Bite Injuries

Dog and other Animal attacks can result in far more than physical pain. Disfigurement, a fear of rabies or other disease, and even a long-term fear of the type of animal that caused the injuries can ensue.

A pet owner may be liable for such injuries when his or her dog or animal bites or otherwise attacks another, meaning that he or she must compensate the injured party for the resulting damages.

Although most animal attack claims most commonly involve dog bites, many other types of domesticated animals, such as ferrets, cats, and even birds, can also bite humans, causing injury and potential liability for their masters. Even non-domesticated animals, such as large cats ordinarily found in the wild, can attack children and adults. The liability for all such attacks, if any, will vary greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog or another animal, or injured by a horse, it's very important that you contact a top Northern Kentucky Dog Bite - Animal Bite Personal Injury Attorney so you can make sure your rights are protected and any gross negligence be pursued.

Our office is conveniently located in downtown Covington. Our staff consists of one attorney, a paralegal/law clerk and a secretary. We deal with people in a comfortable environment that ensures individual attention.

Thousands of animal bites occur every year in this country.  Dog and other Animal attacks can result in far more than physical pain.

Disfigurement, a fear of rabies or other disease, and even a long-term fear of the type of animal that caused the injuries can ensue.

In many cases, a victim of an animal bite may have a legal right to recover damages from the owner or another responsible party.  If you suffer injury as a result of an animal bite, whether domestic (dogs, cats, horses) or wild animal, and wish to pursue a legal claim, in some states your rights might vary depending on the type of animal involved.

Although most animal attack claims most commonly involve dog bites, many other types of domesticated animals, such as ferrets, cats, and even birds, can also bite humans, causing injury and potential liability for their masters.  Even non-domesticated animals, such as large cats ordinarily found in the wild, can attack children and adults.  The liability for all such attacks, if any, will vary greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Dog Bites

Most states have enacted dog-bite laws.  Dog-bite laws impose what is known as strict liability on dog owners for injuries caused by their dogs.  Strict liability means that the dog owner is responsible for injuries caused by their dog, regardless of whether the owner was actually at fault.

Under strict liability, an injured person only needs to show that the dog bit him or her in order to be successful in a claim.

In Kentucky, the applicable Kentucky dog bite statute imposes liability only in circumstances where the owner could reasonably expect a plaintiff to be in close proximity to the dog.  Otherwise, the common-law rule of "One Free Bite" prevails.

KRS 258.275(1) - Under the One Free Bite Rule: The owner of a dog is not liable for injuries caused by it, unless it is vicious, and notice of that fact is brought home to him.

But when it is once established that the dog is of a vicious or mischievous nature, and that the person owning or keeping it has knowledge of that fact, the same responsibility attaches to the owner to keep it from doing mischief as the keeper of an animal naturally ferocious would be subject to, and proof of negligence on the part of the owner of the dog is unnecessary.

Horses/Domestic Animals

Most injuries from horses are caused by kicks.  Most states do not have specific laws regarding injuries caused by horses, so such injuries are typically are treated in the same manner as injuries caused by other domestic animals: under standard rules of negligence.

This means that the owner of a horse will usually be held liable for injuries caused by the horse if the owner knew or had reason to know of the horse's dangerous tendencies.  Also, consistent with other animal cases, a horse owner may not be liable for injuries if the owner can prove the injured person provoked the horse, assumed the risk, or was contributorily negligent.

In Kentucky specifically, one who possesses or harbors a domestic animal that he does not know or have reason to know to be abnormally dangerous, is subject to liability for harm done by the animal if, but only if, (1) he intentionally causes the animal to do the harm, or (2) he is negligent in failing to prevent the harm.

In states that do not have strict liability, dog-bite laws, in order to recover damages from the animal's owner a victim must typically demonstrate the owner knew or had reason to know that the animal was predisposed to bite or attack, which is known as "vicious propensities."

There are several factors that should be taken into consideration when attempting to show that an owner knew or should have known about the animal's vicious propensities.

Purpose for Which the Animal is Kept: If an animal is kept for protection, and is trained to attack unknown people, it can be inferred that its owner knew or should have known it might attack someone.

Complaints Brought to Owner's Attention: If people previously complained to the owner, and the owner did nothing (or didn't do enough) to prevent future attacks, this can be used as evidence that the owner knew the animal could be dangerous.

Frequent Snapping and Biting: A history of aggressive behavior can be used to demonstrate that the owner had knowledge of the animal's vicious propensities.

Breed and Size of Animal: Generally, the larger the animal, the greater the chance that the animal can cause injury.  The species and breed of an animal may also be relevant if you can prove that, as a general rule, that breed has a propensity for viciousness (such as a pit bull or Rottweiler).

Frequent Confinement of the Animal: If the owner keeps the animal locked in a cage, or on a tight leash or chain, this may indicate the owner's awareness that the animal might be dangerous.

Occasional Muzzling of the Animal: Particularly with respect to dogs, if an owner muzzles an animal on walks or at times when people are near the animal, this can be proof that the owner is aware of the animal's dangerous nature.

Fighting with Other Animals: Even if an animal had not attacked a human before, if it had fought with other animals, this may be useful in proving its vicious nature.

What Damages Can You Recover?

Depending on the seriousness of injuries resulting from an animal attack, you may be entitled to recover for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage.

In some instances, an injured party may also be entitled to punitive damages.  To justify an award of punitive damages, the wrongdoer's conduct usually must be more than negligent, such as reckless or intentional conduct.  For example, if a dog owner knew his dog was very dangerous, yet repeatedly allowed the dog to run free near a school, and the dog eventually attacked a child, a jury could conclude that punitive damages were appropriate.

If you reside in the Northern Kentucky area, or anywhere else in the State of Kentucky,and you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog or another animal, or injured by a horse, it's very important that you contact a top Northern Kentucky Dog Bite - Animal Bite Personal Injury Attorney so you can make sure your rights are protected and any gross negligence be pursued.

Our office is conveniently located in downtown Covington.  Our staff consists of one attorney, a paralegal/law clerk and a secretary.  We deal with people in a comfortable environment that ensures individual attention.

Call today 859 581 MIKE (6453) today for a FREE Consultation or to schedule an appointment.

There is absolutely no charge for the initial consultation in a personal injury case.

For your convenience, we accept Visa and MasterCard for any Legal services.

Northern Kentucky Personal Injury Attorney, Michael W. Bouldin, proudly serves all of Kentucky and Northern Kentucky, including Boone, Kenton and Campbell Counties, Kentucky which includes the Cites of Alexandria, Ft. Thomas, Newport, Independence, Fort Mitchell, Fort Wright, Crestview Hills, Crescent Springs, Erlanger, Lakeside Park, Villa Hills, Edgewood, Florence, Hebron, Burlington, and Covington.

He also serves the residents of Hamilton, Clermont and Warren Counties in Ohio.

Call 859 581 MIKE (6453)

Solo Practitioner since 1994.