Understanding Houston Dog Bite Liability - Who's Responsible?

No one wants to admit that man’s best friend is capable of causing harm, but if you are one of the nearly 47 million Americans bitten by dogs each year, you may think differently. And while the party at fault may be less obvious when there’s an animal in the mix, the state of Texas has very clear laws pertaining to legal responsibility. If you have suffered from a dog bite or are the owner of a dog in the city of Houston, here’s what you need to know.

Pet Owner Responsibility In Houston, TX

Texas dog bite laws are unique in the way they approach dog bite claims. Below are the three categories for which a dog’s owner can be held responsible for their dog’s bite. If you think you may fall into one of these categories, call a lawyer in your area today.

1. “One Bite” Rule

There are two conditions to a victim suing for damages from the dog’s owner or keeper under this rule. The first, that the dog has demonstrated that it has the propensity to bite, has done so before, and is likely to do it again. And, the second, that the victim was aware of this at the time the bite occurred.

2. Leash Law Violations

For all dogs deemed dangerous by the state of Texas, leashes are required when the dog is outside of its gated area. Any violation of animal control laws can be considered negligence by the victim in their claim.

3. Culpability Due to Negligence

The final category of Houston dog bite liability requires that proof of one of the following kinds of negligence occurred.

1. The owner or keeper of the dog failed to stop or intervene when they had the chance to do so
2. Landlord or landowner knew of a dangerous dog on the premises but did not act in the interest of the tenants

Having a Claim Filed Against You

In order to file a claim successfully, all the conditions of the relevant category need to be met. If you are the owner of a dog in the Houston area, and suspect that you are being prosecuted unjustly, call an attorney today.

Unlike accidents where there are clear demarcations of fault, involving a living creature can make the case more complicated. There are instances where the victim was equally at fault to the owner.

If this is true for the claim you are facing, contact a lawyer to see how you can prevent the impoundment of your dog.

How a Houston Based Attorney Can Help

If you still have questions about who is responsible for dog bites in Houston, it may be time to contact a skilled legal professional with experience in the field. Call our Houston personal injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw today for a free initial consultation. We have staff available to take your call in English AND Spanish, 24/7 at our toll free number: 800-862-1260.

What Carabin Shaw Can Provide

Having the assistance of one of the experienced attorneys on our team can provide you peace of mind while you are healing from the stress of a dog bite injury or the stress of having your pet implicated in an accident. We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis meaning that we will fight for you, regardless of your ability to pay for our services. When you win, we win.

Not convinced? Check out Carabin Shaw’s client reviews to see how we have supported others in your situation. For more information about how our team can fight for you, give us a call today.

For more information:

• DSHS
• Texas Statutes

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