In Washington, the law states that any dog involved in an attack must be quarantined for a period of no less than twelve days. The reason for this requirement is to determine if the animal is infected with the rabies virus. A licensed vet must perform an evaluation during this time to determine if the animal is a danger to society. However, a judge may overrule the vet’s report based on the severity of the victim’s injuries.
What Happens After a Dog Bites You
After you see medical attention, the hospital or doctor’s office is required by law to report the incident to the local animal control agent. This agent issues a notice to the owner to submit the animal for quarantine. This evaluation determines if the county recommends rabies vaccinations for you. If the owner fails to comply with this order, the county can seize the animal and make distinctions at their discretion.
Lawful Entry and Provoking an Animal
As you begin to present your case to a Personal Injury Lawyer in Tacoma, two distinctions are made. The first is to establish that you were allowed legally to be in the location where you were attacked. If you were attacked at the pet owner’s residence, you must prove that you were invited to this location or granted permission to be there.
Next, the pet owner could claim that you provoked their dog. Most pet owners testify that their dog is friendly and incapable of attacking. However, this is not always the case.
Under Washington law, owners who had previous knowledge of dangerous behaviors or if their dog has attacked prior to this incident, are liable under the dog bite statute. A Personal Injury Lawyer in Tacoma can determine, if any previous complaints were filed.
Dog bite laws protect victims of attacks by holding the owner accountable. They lead the way for these victims to collect the compensation they deserve. These laws also prevent owners from harboring animals, which are a threat to society. If you were the victim of a dog attack, you should contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Tacoma at Sadler Ladenburg Tacoma.