NH Dog Bite Attorneys | Prevention With Better Education
In this month’s “You Should Know” newsletter presented by the NH dog bite attorneys at the Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC, we discuss the fact that, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 4 million people in the U.S. are the victims of dog bites each year, most often children and the elderly. Some of these attacks result in emergency-room injuries, reconstructive surgery, and – for 39 people in 2013 – death.
In New Hampshire, the law governing “canine inflicted injuries” covers any cause of damage by a dog and applies to injuries, not only to humans, but also to any form of property, including another dog or other pet.
According to the New Hampshire Supreme Court in its 1984 decision in the case of Allgeyer v. Lincoln, the law makes a dog owner strictly liable for harm caused by a dog’s “vicious or mischievous acts.” In 1996, in its decision in the case of Bohan v. Ritzo, such acts do not have to include a bite, but can be anything which causes injury, such as by frightening the victim and making him “flip” his bicycle. According to the Court, “Nothing in the plain language of (the law) limits its application to situations where there is an actual bite or other direct physical contact.”
While no one disputes the companionship and loyalty dogs provide to millions of Americans, safety advocates and dog experts say that more can be done to prevent dog bites. You should know how you or your children can avoid dog bites, your responsibilities as a dog owner, and your rights if you or someone close to you has suffered a dog bite injury.
Our civil justice system provides for victims of negligence to recover full, fair and adequate compensation for their injuries. The NH dog bite attorneys at the Law Office of Manning Zimmerman & Oliveira PLLC handle cases in all areas of personal injury law, and we work diligently to ensure that our clients receive compensation for their injuries. Please call our office at 603-624-7200 or complete the form on this page to schedule a free initial consultation. Evening and weekend appointments are available.
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