Aggressive Virginia Dog Bite Attorneys Will Help You Fight for Compensation in Hampton Roads

Dog, man's best friend, has long been lauded as the ideal family companion. Unfortunately, however, many dog owners fail to properly train their dogs, abuse their dogs, and/or neglect their dogs. This breeds poor behavior among dogs that can and often does result in violence. Innocent bystanders or family members may find themselves victims of an unexpected dog attack.

Every dog has an owner, and owners are responsible for their pets. At The Stellute Law Firm, our attorneys have spent the past 50 combined years in the courtroom, advocating for personal injury victims' rights. We provide free initial consultations to all prospective clients.

To schedule an appointment, call The Stellute Law Firm at (757) 722-2815.

What to Do After a Dog Attack
If you have been attacked by a dog, you should report the attack to your local Virginia animal control. You should then locate the owner. Determine if the dog is up-to-date on shots, especially the rabies vaccination. After you have identified the owner, immediately call an experienced dog bite lawyer.

Virginia Dog Bite Law
Unlike many other states, Virginia is not a strict liability state for dog bites. However, Virginia does hold dog owners responsible for dog bite injuries when either the owner has acted negligently or violated Virginia animal control ordinances.

Virginia law defines a "dangerous dog" as a dog that has either injured or attacked a human or other animal. In many jurisdictions, dogs that meet the definition of "dangerous dog" are euthanized after their first attack. However, Virginia allows dangerous dog owners to register their dogs and continue to keep them as pets. If the dangerous dog later attacks again, however, the dog owner can be convicted of a misdemeanor and face severe penalties in a dog bite personal injury claim.

Virginia separately defines a "vicious dog" as a dog that has killed, caused significant bodily injury or continues to exhibit aggressive behavior. Virginia does not permit owners to own vicious dogs.

Dog Bite Claims
Virginia law allows dog bite victims to sue dog owners when the dog owner has either: (1) acted negligently or (2) violated animal control ordinances. Dog owner negligence can be premised on a variety of different forms of carelessness. For instance, failing to latch a gate or keep a dog on a leash are two forms of negligence. Dog owners are required to prevent any foreseeable harm. The plaintiff can prove the dog owner failed to prevent foreseeable harm by showing the dog had a propensity for aggression.

A dog owner is liable for personal injuries when animal control ordinances have been violated by the owner. For instance, if the dog owner possesses a vicious dog in violation of Virginia law, the dog owner will be liable if the plaintiff can prove the dog was in fact a vicious dog and the dog caused the injuries.

Our Personal Injury Lawyers Are Prepared to Help You Bite Back
Dog owners need to be held accountable for their pets' wrongdoings. If you have been attacked by a dog, it is not your responsibility to pay for your medical care the costs of lost wages. The Stellute Law Firm has real courtroom experience with litigating dog bite cases and is ready to guide you on how to proceed with any potential dog attack claims.

To schedule a case evaluation with one of our dog bite attorneys, call The Stellute Law Firm at (757) 722-2815.