Victims of Arizona dog attacks often suffer serious injuries that require expensive medical care, plastic surgery and time away from work. Injured victims of these vicious attacks may wonder what actions to take and who is responsible for their medical bills.
Arizona law places liability for dog bite incidents directly on the dog owner. This is known as the “strict liability statute.” There are very few situations where the dog owner may not be held liable. Under Arizona Statute 11-1025: “The owner of a dog which bites a person when the person is in or on a public place or lawfully in or on a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, is liable for damages suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of its viciousness.”
In short, this statute means that as long as the victim was not illegally trespassing at the time of the attack, the dog’s owner may be held liable for the actions of their pet. This does not mean that the owner is automatically 100 percent responsible for the attack. In cases where the attack was provoked, it will be much more difficult for the victim to seek full compensation.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a dog attack, it is advisable to speak to a skilled Phoenix dog bite attorney at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. Contact us at 602-978-6400 for a free consultation and a thorough case evaluation.
