Dog Bite | Phoenix Personal Injury Law Blog
Do Dogs Who Bite People Have to Get Euthanized in Arizona?
Every year in the U.S., more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA). More than 800,000 of the people who are bitten need medical treatment for their injuries. At least half of the people bitten are children.
If you or your child has been bitten by a dog, you may hesitate to report the incident for fear that the dog will be put down. If this is the case, put your mind at ease. In most cases, animal control in Arizona will not euthanize a dog for biting someone unless the circumstances are extreme.
When Your Neighbor’s Dog Attacks
Being attacked by a dog is a terrifying experience, especially when it happens to a child. If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog in Arizona, you will want apply first aid and seek immediate medical care. You must also report any dog bite to county health officials right away.
Dog Bites Involving Fake Service and “Therapy” Dogs
Under state and federal laws, service dogs may accompany their owners to any public accommodation. This includes restaurants, grocery stores, movie theaters, motels, businesses, schools, parks, gyms, and stadiums. These laws also apply to public transportation, depots, terminals and stations. However, some owners pass off animals as service animals that do not actually meet the criteria.
Do Warning Signs Lessen Liability for Dog Attacks?
Being a dog owner comes with a lot of responsibilities – and with good reason. Dogs were once wild animals and were only domesticated relatively recently in human history. Dog owners should always take great care to teach their dogs to behave in public, obey commands, and avoid jumping on strangers, even if the animals are only being playful.
Unfortunately, many dog owners do not take these responsibilities seriously, putting in the bare minimum of work by posting warning signs. These “Beware of Dog” signs are common throughout Phoenix, but are they actually enough to prevent dog attacks?
Preventing Dog Attacks in Phoenix

Phoenix is a great town for dog-lovers, with plenty of places to play: Cesar Chavez Dog Park, Esteban Park, Hance Dog Park, Paradise Valley, Deer Valley, Deem Hills Park, and more!
But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.5 million people are victims of dog bites annually, and 885,000 of those bites require medical attention. Children are at the highest risk of dog bites, and adult males are the second most likely to suffer a dog attack.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Phoenix

After you’ve been attacked by a dog, you may be confused and hurt, watching the medical bills pile up and not knowing what to do. Our Phoenix dog bite injury lawyers at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., made this visual aid for you to keep with you just in case you’re ever bitten! Remember, the best thing you can do if you’re confused is to call a legal professional right away. Dial (602) 457-6222 to talk to The Husband and Wife Law Team. Your consultation is 100% free.
When Dogs Bite Dogs: How to Protect Yourself and Your Pets

A pack of six dogs were loose, running down Interstate 17 at Grand in Phoenix on Monday, December 11, 2018. Four of the dogs were caught while two escaped. None were hit by cars, but drivers had to swerve and brake hard to avoid them.
Emotional Support Dog Bites Child in Phoenix Airport
A child at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was injured by a dog that was booked on a Southwest flight to Portland on February 21, 2018. When the child tried to pet the dog, it responded by biting her on the face. She suffered scratches on her forehead. Paramedics were called to treat the child, and the dog was removed from the flight. The flight was able to depart 20 minutes later.
When You Lose a Finger to Dog Bite, Who’s Liable?
Because dogs were domesticated from wolves, they’ve inherited many of the physical attributes of their ancestors. One of these attributes is a dog’s incredibly powerful jaws and sharp, pointed teeth. These were important to the dog’s forefathers for ripping flesh and crushing bone. Some of today’s larger, domesticated dogs have jaw strength equal to 200 pounds of pressure per square inch. That is easily enough “bite power” to sever or permanently damage a human finger—especially the finger of a child.
Service Animals on Delta Flights
We often hear about people who dress their dogs up as service dogs so they can get them into restaurants, stores, and even schools. We represent victims of vicious dog attacks who are suffering from serious injuries, and we know how dangerous untrained dogs with irresponsible owners can be.
Airlines also see the dangers of allowing “fake” service dogs on their flights; these dogs aren’t properly trained and can act aggressively or bite passengers. Delta recently changed the rules regarding service dogs on their flights, and they are hoping to cut down on the number of passengers who are injured by aggressive dogs.
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During a free consultation, we will look at the important aspects of your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal rights and options clearly. All submissions are confidentially reviewed by Mark Breyer.
Confidentially reviewed by Attorney Mark Breyer