Charlotte Dog Bite Lawyers

Know Your Rights In North Carolina Dog Bite Cases

There may be no other type of personal injury case that is more traumatic to victims than a dog bite. Being attacked by a dog is terrifying and the emotional damage can sometimes be as harmful as the physical injuries. North Carolina law has very specific rules regarding dog bite liability and many of them tend to favor dog owners.

If you or a loved one is suffering due to any type of animal attack injury, it is important that you seek the advice of a qualified lawyer as soon as possible. At Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys, in Charlotte, we represent injury victims in a wide variety of dog bite and other animal attack claims. We understand the law in these cases, and we know how to manage your claim to a favorable outcome.

Call us today (980) 237-4579, or reach out online to schedule a free case consult.

Understanding North Carolina Law Regarding Dog Bites

Many dog owners are protected by North Carolina’s so-called “one bite rule.” Under the law, an owner cannot be held liable if he or she did not know that the dog had violent or vicious propensities. If there is no prior documentation of the animal being aggressive toward another person or domestic animal, it can be difficult to build a case against the owner.

That is not to say, however, that dog bite victims have no recourse in these cases. The law provides a number of protections to people who have been bitten by dogs, including the following:

• Permitting a dog to run at large at night: If a dog more than six months old is allowed to run unsupervised and causes injury or property damage, victims may have grounds to pursue damages.
• Negligence: If an owner’s lack of care in the handling of his or her dog results in injury or property damage, the owner can be held liable for any losses that occur.
• Negligence per se: Negligence per se occurs when the owner’s violation of a law contributes to the injury. If the owner of a dog is in violation of a local leash law at the time of the attack, for example, it can create grounds for a liability claim.