If you've been injured by a dog in Dinwiddie County, you should know the laws and regulations concerning animal attacks—and your rights after such an event.
While many people will not have to undergo the traumatic experience of a dog bite or a dog attack, it remains true that dog bites happen all-to-often. The American Humane Association claims that 4.7 million dog bites occur every year---a number that is far too high.
It’s important to be aware of the laws in your city, county or region that governs how dogs are handled and how dog bites are treated by the government. Dinwiddie County, Virginia (VA) has created many such laws to prevent dangerous animal attacks.
- Section 4-17 of the Dinwiddie Code prohibits dogs from “running at-large,” or without proper restraint, in many public places. This is, of course, to prevent dogs from causing harm to any members of the public, whether or not the dogs are known to be dangerous or vicious.
- Dangerous and vicious dogs are clarified in Sec 4-18 of Dinwiddie’s code: a dangerous dog is one that bitten another human or animal, while a vicious dog is one that has killed another human. Animal control officers also have some latitude in determining if dogs are vicious or not. Owners of dogs that have been determined to be legally dangerous must register the dog’s status with the county; a dangerous dog must also be muzzled and leashed while off the property of the owner to prevent further harm or bites.
If you've been attacked by a dog in Dinwiddie County:
1. Seek medical attention immediately. You do not know whether or not the animal has been vaccinated against rabies. Even if they have, you are still at risk for infection.
2. Report the incident by calling Dinwiddie County Animal Control at (804) 469-4547
3. Gather as much information as possible from witnesses about the dog and the incident.
4. Contact a Virginia dog bite lawyer.
An animal that has bitten someone must be quarantined for a ten-day period at least. The victim should attempt to identify the animal so that authorities can act accordingly.
Typical damages that dog bite victims can receive compensation for include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earnings while unable to work
- Future loss of earnings if you cannot return to work
- Disfigurement – If the injury causes scarring or other unsightly marks
- Medical Expenses
Virginia Dog Bite Lawyer
Our attorneys are available to assist all Dinwiddie County residents including: McKenny, Ammon, Carson, Church Road, DeWitt, Edgehill, Ford, Sutherland, and Wilsons.
Owners have a strict responsibility to keep their dogs safely contained, and that responsibility is all-the-more important if the dog is found to be dangerous or vicious. Negligent dog ownership has no excuses—if your dog is a threat to others, you must ensure that it has no chance to harm anyone.
My Virginia-based personal injury law firm specializes in dog bite and dog attack cases. My lawyers and I know the rules, the regulations, and the laws surrounding dogs and dog attacks, and we know how to fight for you in order to win you the legal redress to which you are entitled. Nobody should have to suffer because a dog owner should have known better.
No Fee Promise
Our Virginia dog bite attorneys operate under a no fee promise. This means that you are not responsible for any legal fees unless we win or settle your case. Contact us to learn more about your legal rights 877-544-5323
