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Nevada Dog Bite Law
In Nevada, a dog owner can be found criminally liable for a dog bite, and the owner also may be sued by the victim of a bite for negligence in a personal injury lawsuit.
December 03, 2010 /Environment PR News/ -- According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. Almost one in five of these victims requires medical attention for dog bite-related injuries, and about half of the injuries require emergency medical treatment.
Dog bites can result in serious consequences for both the victim and the owner of the dog. In Nevada, a dog owner can be found criminally liable for a dog bite, and the owner also may be sued by the victim of a bite for negligence in a personal injury lawsuit .
Criminal Consequences
Under section 202.500 of the Nevada Code, a dog owner may face criminal consequences if his or her dog is "dangerous" or "vicious" as defined by the statute and the dog causes substantial bodily harm to a person.
Nevada law defines a dog as dangerous if, without provocation, on two separate occasions within 18 months, it behaves menacingly to a degree that would lead a reasonable person to defend him or herself against harm when the dog is off the premises of its owner and is not confined in a cage, pen or vehicle.
A dog is considered vicious under Nevada law if, without provocation, it kills or inflicts substantial bodily harm on a person. An owner who knowingly keeps a vicious dog for longer than a week may be found guilty of a misdemeanor. If a known vicious dog causes substantial bodily harm in an attack, the owner may be found guilty of a felony.
Civil Liability
In addition to criminal liability, the owner a dog that attacks another person also may face civil liability for the victim's injuries in a dog bite lawsuit . All dog owners have a duty to maintain a certain level of safety with their dogs. If an owner fails to meet that duty and someone is injured by the dog as a result, the owner may be found responsible for the victim's injuries. If so, the victim must be compensated by the owner for injuries that resulted from the dog bite and the necessary medical treatment.
If you or a loved one has required medical attention after being bitten by a dog, contact an experienced lawyer in your area to discuss any legal claims you may have.
Article provided by Harris & Harris Lawyers
Visit us at www.harrisschwartz.com
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