Will a Dog Be Euthanized After Biting Someone?
If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog in New Jersey, you may want justice. You may want the owner to be punished. You may even want the dog punished and possibly euthanized.
But will that happen? Will the court order the dog to be put to sleep if you file a lawsuit?
New Jersey has a law in place, N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, which states that if a dog bites someone, the dog’s owner is liable if the victim was on public property or legally on private property. So if the victim was trespassing when the attack occurred, the owner is not legally liable. Also, the victim cannot have provoked the dog into attacking them.
Dog owners are still held liable for the attack, even if they did not know the dog was vicious or aggressive. Even if the dog has never previously attacked someone, the owner will still be liable if their dog attacks someone
Does the law say anything about the fate of the dog after it attacks someone? The dog in question is not usually put down, but there may be extreme circumstances in which this may be the ultimate outcome.
After a dog attack:
- An animal control officer will investigate your claims.
- The investigation will confirm that the dog is current on its rabies vaccinations.
If the dog has a current rabies vaccination, and this was the first attack by the dog, nothing will likely happen. However, if the dog has repeatedly attacked people when unprovoked, the court may need to take action. If the dog is a significant threat to others, the owner may need to take preventative measures such as:
- Displaying warning signs on their property.
- Keeping the dog locked in a pen.
- Keeping the dog on a strong leash.
- Using a muzzle on the dog.
If these measures are insufficient, then the dog may need to be euthanized. However, usually a court will attempt to take further preventative measures before suggesting euthanization.
Putting a dog down for behavioral issues is not a “snap” decision. In most dog aggression cases, there is a lot that can be done prior to even considering behavioral euthanasia for the dog. For example, the dog can attend behavioral classes or the dog could be rehomed.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Dog bites can cause long-term injuries, scarring, and even death. When a dog causes someone serious harm, the dog may have to be put down.
If you or a loved one has been a dog bite victim, get the legal help you need from a Morristown dog bite injury attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff. There are many avenues to dog bite injury compensation, and by having an experienced lawyer on your side, you will have a much clearer understanding of your options. Schedule a consultation to learn more. Fill out the online form or call (973) 455-1567.
Source:
preventivevet.com/dogs/when-to-euthanize-an-aggressive-dog
