Tragic dog attacks, in which a person or pet was seriously injured or killed, regularly make headline news. The Stefanie Drake Burford Law Group is prepared to defend the rights of those who were harmed when a negligent pet owner failed to take precautions. We understand that you and other Georgia residents can face grave dangers from aggressive dogs.
Dog owners may be held liable for the medical bills and other expenses related to a dog attack, if authorities can prove that negligence was a factor in the attack. As a dog owner, you may want to take note of the following tips, provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association, to protect yourself and others:
- Begin socializing your pup to other dogs and people as soon as possible in a controlled setting.
- Enroll your dog in behavioral training classes.
- Keep your pets up to date on vaccinations and veterinary checkups.
- Be aware of your dog’s behavior and body language, as well as other dogs’ behaviors, when out on walks or at the dog park.
- Teach your children about how to safely interact with dogs.
- Never leave your dog unattended outside or with visitors in your home, especially if he or she is nervous or aggressive.
You stand a better chance of protecting yourself, children, visitors and other pets from harm if you are responsible in socializing, training and securing your dogs. However, you can not always control the actions of other pet owners. Our page on animal attacks explains your rights if a negligent dog owner contributed to your injuries.