Houston Dog Bite Lawyer

Are You a Victim of a Canine Attack?

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Willie D. Powells III & Associates, PLLC have extensive experience handling dog bite cases in Houston and the surrounding areas. We understand the devastating physical and emotional effects of a dog bite and are here to help you through the legal process.

Contact us today at (713) 360-0062 to schedule a consultation with our Houston dog bite attorneys. We can help you understand your legal options and work to recover your full and fair compensation

What to Do After a Dog Bite

If you or someone you love is bitten by a dog, it is important to take the appropriate steps to protect your health and your legal rights. Here are some things you should do after a dog bite:

• Get to safety: If you can, safely get away from the dog and find a safe place to seek medical attention.
• Identify the dog: If possible, identify the dog that bit you. This will help with the legal process.
• Call 911: If you are seriously injured, call 911 and request an ambulance.
• Take pictures: If you are able, take pictures of the dog, your injuries, and the location where the attack happened.
• Get medical help: Even if you do not think you are seriously injured, it is important to seek medical attention after a dog bite.
• Report the bite: Report the bite to your local animal control agency or police department.
• Write down details: As soon as possible, write down all the details of the attack that you can remember. This includes the date and time, the location, the owner of the dog, and any other details you can recall.
• Get legal help: Contact an experienced dog bite attorney to discuss your rights and legal options.

Common Reasons Why Dogs Bite

Dogs may bite for various reasons, and understanding these reasons can help prevent dog bites and promote safer interactions between humans and dogs. Some common reasons why dogs may bite include:

• Fear or Anxiety: Dogs may bite when they feel threatened or scared. This can happen if they are cornered, startled, or approached too quickly by a person or another animal.
• Pain or Illness: Dogs in pain or discomfort may bite as a defensive reaction. If a dog is injured or suffering from an illness, they may become more irritable and prone to biting.
• Protectiveness: Dogs are naturally protective of their territory, possessions, or family members. They may perceive certain actions or behaviors as a threat and react defensively by biting.
• Maternal Instincts: Female dogs with puppies may become more aggressive and prone to biting in order to protect their offspring.
• Socialization Issues: Dogs that have not been properly socialized with people or other animals during their critical developmental period may exhibit fear or aggression towards unfamiliar individuals or situations, leading to biting.
• Resource Guarding: Some dogs may exhibit aggressive behavior, including biting, when they feel their food, toys, or other resources are being threatened or taken away.
• Predatory Drive: Dogs with a strong prey drive may chase and bite smaller animals or even humans, especially if they perceive them as prey.
• Lack of Training or Boundaries: Dogs that have not been trained or given clear boundaries may not understand appropriate behavior, leading to misunderstandings and potential biting incidents.
• Medical Issues: Certain medical conditions, such as neurological disorders or hormonal imbalances, can affect a dog's behavior and increase the likelihood of biting.
• Provocation: Dogs may bite in response to teasing, taunting, or aggressive behavior from humans or other animals.

Texas Dog Bite Laws

Texas follows a "negligence" or "one-free-bite" rule. This means that a dog owner can be held liable for damages caused by their dog's bite regardless of whether the dog had previously exhibited aggressive behavior or bitten someone. In states with a one-bite rule, a dog owner may not be held liable for the first bite or attack by their dog unless they had prior knowledge of the dog's dangerous propensities.

In Texas, to hold a dog owner liable for a bite, you generally need to prove that the owner was negligent in some way, such as by failing to properly restrain or control the dog or failing to warn others of the dog's dangerous tendencies. This negligence can establish liability on the part of the owner, regardless of whether the dog had previously bitten someone.

The owner may have a defense if the victim was trespassing at the time of the incident and the owner had displayed clear, visible signs warning of the presence of a dog. However, this defense does not apply if the victim was under the age of 7 or if the dog owner acted with gross negligence.

Why Choose Us?

Our Houston dog bite lawyers are committed to providing each and every client with the personalized legal services they deserve. We understand the challenges you are facing and are here to help you through every stage of the legal process. When you choose us to handle your case, you can trust that we will work tirelessly to recover the maximum compensation you are owed.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite, our Houston personal injury attorneys can help you understand your legal options and work to recover the compensation you are owed.

Call The Law Offices of Willie D. Powells III & Associates, PLLC at (713) 360-0062 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our team.