National Dog Bite Prevention Week: Understanding Liability and Your Rights After an Attack

Dogs are often seen as friendly, loyal companions—and in most cases, they are. It’s natural for people to want to pet them, even during brief encounters. But it’s important to remember that not every dog sees people as their best friend.

Dog bites are a serious public health concern in the United States. Each year, an estimated 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs. That’s why Dog Bite Prevention Week is observed every April—to help raise awareness and prevent injuries.

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at how common dog bites are in Texas, who’s responsible when they happen, and what steps you should take if you or a loved one is bitten.

How Common Are Dog Bites in Texas—and Who’s Responsible?

Texas has one of the highest numbers of dog bite incidents in the country. In fact, Texas ranked fourth in the nation for dog bite injuries in 2018.

The state follows what’s known as the “one-bite rule.” This means a dog owner may not be held liable the first time their dog bites someone—if there’s no prior history of aggression. However, this rule does not protect owners from negligence.

A dog owner can still be held responsible if their negligence led to the bite. Examples of negligence include:

• Allowing a dog to roam off-leash in public areas

• Leaving a dog unsupervised, especially around children

• Failing to restrain a dog that has shown signs of aggression

No matter where you are in Texas, dog owners have a responsibility to keep others safe from their pets. If they fail to do so, they may be held legally and financially accountable.

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Recent Dog Attack Stories in Texas:

Dog Mauling Hospitalizes 3 in Pleasanton

Two Children Hospitalized After Being Attacked by Babysitter’s Dog

Infant Boy Mauled to Death by 2 Dogs in Babysitter’s Home

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What To Do After a Dog Bite to Protect Your Health (And Your Rights!)

Whether the injury seems minor or severe, the first thing you should do after a dog bite is seek medical attention. Even a small scratch could expose you to serious infections like rabies, which can be life-threatening if untreated.

Once you’ve received medical care, it’s important to assess whether negligence played a role in the attack. If so, you may be entitled to compensation—and it’s a good idea to speak with a lawyer who handles dog bite cases.

To support your claim, try to gather the following:

• Witness statements

• Photos of the scene and injuries

• Medical records and treatment documents

• An incident report, if available

In Texas, proving negligence is key to recovering compensation. If you can’t show that the owner failed to take reasonable precautions—or if you were partially at fault—you may not receive compensation for your injuries. That’s why having the right evidence matters.

Injured in a Dog Attack? Call Shaw!

A friendly moment with a dog should never end in injury. If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog due to an owner’s negligence, you could be eligible for compensation for things like:

• Ambulance Costs,

• ER Treatment,

• Surgeries,

• Medical Bills,

• Pain and Suffering,

• Property Damage,

• Missed Work,

• Wrongful Death,

• And More.

We can help you find out for free.

Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 today or use the live chat to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. No fees, no obligations, just expert legal advice. We put our clients first because we care.

We look forward to serving you.