Dog Bite Attacks

In December, 2004, the Billingsley family of Shoreline Park, MS, lost their infant child, Kamryn, when the family’s 6 month old pit bull dragged the child out of her mother’s bed and into the living room, biting Kamryn several times. The child would die of head trauma before paramedics arrived.

Sadly, preventable deaths like Kamryn’s are becoming more common every year, in Mississippi and throughout the U.S. In the past ten years, dog bite attacks have been on the rise across America. Even though the total dog population (52 million) has only increased by 2 per cent in that time, attacks from vicious dogs have risen by more than 30 per cent. In reaction to the increasing problem of dog attacks, many states have enacted legislation that a) defines what a vicious or dangerous dog is; b) defines and punishes dog owners who do not obey laws specifically designed to prevent dog attacks and injuries.

Mississippi has no laws that specifically regulate the ownership of potentially dangerous dogs. However, an injured person can still recover damages against a dog owner for injuries caused by the owner’s dog, if he or she proves that the owner’s negligence caused the injury. In order to prove negligence, the injured person must come forth with some proof that the dog exhibited some dangerous propensity prior to the attack and that the owner knew, or reasonably should have known, of the dog’s dangerous propensity. In other words, the owner should have reasonably foreseen that the animal was likely to attack.

Jay Foster has helped many Mississippi families hold dog owners accountable when a dog’s violent attack leads to serious injuries. If you’ve suffered an injury from an attack by a pit bull, canary dog, Rottweiler, Bulldog, German Shepherd, Siberian Huskie, Alaskan Malamute or other dangerous dog, Jay can assist you in getting adequate compensation today.

Homeowners or Renters Insurance: How to Protect Yourself from Your Dog

No matter how people-friendly your dog may seem, if it has the physical capacity to hurt a child or adult, it is essential that you have homeowners or renters insurance. Without it, you can be held directly liable for injuries that your dog may cause. This means that if a court finds you negligent for the ownership of your dog, you may have to pay for your dog’s attack for years to come. If you have a potentially dangerous dog, it’s a good idea to talk to an insurance agent about any additional coverage you may require in the event that your dog hurts someone.

K-9s Can’t Cross the Line, Either

Dogs used for police work usually have good training and are extremely obedient to their control officers. Sometimes, to subdue a criminal suspect who is fleeing a scene or resisting arrest, dogs have special rights to attack a suspect “with prejudice.” However, when police dogs attack and seriously injure a criminal suspect, then a case can often be made for police brutality and other civil rights abuses of the suspect. If you’ve been injured by a police or security dog in Mississippi, contact Jay Foster today.

Frequent Questions for Dog Bite Attacks:

• In Mississippi, does a dog have to bite someone before the Mississippi owner is responsible for the injuries caused by the dog?