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How to Handle a Dog Bite Incident
Author: Manuel Salvacion  | Posted: 07-03-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 5 | Rating: (52)  (?) 
Dog bite cases, like other incidents of animal attacks, often involve complicated issues such as the application of local and state laws, liability, owner negligence and behavioral history of the dog. Added to this, one must understand the underlying facts to better evaluate the case and secure vital evidence for litigation.
To improve one’s chances in making a claim in dog bite cases, one needs to consider the following methods for his investigation and assessment:
• Evaluate the behavior dog as soon as possible - It is critical to observe the dog as soon as possible after the incident to evaluate its behavior. To do this, you need an expert whose opinion must be based on actual seeing and testing the dog in similar circumstances. This is equally important for both the plaintiff and the defense.
• A photograph or a video of the dog going through specially designed tests should be included in a dog’s behavioral history for thorough evaluation. Your dog bite attorney should get permission from the owner to do this.
• Ask and talk to the neighbors - Neighbors know about the typical behavior of the dogs on their block, hence they are good sources of information about prior incidents.
• Interview the dog's veterinarian - Medical records from the veterinarian can sometimes show that the dog has had problems with aggressive or fearful behavior or that it was physically difficult or impossible for the dog to have done what is being claimed.
• Check with animal control – This is another good source of information about the dog’s behavior - whether or not the dog was a problem in the neighborhood and if the dog was ever picked up by officers previously.
• Investigate the scene – You can look for signs, clues, and evidence in the scene of the incident that will aid you in the investigation.
• Other signs - Tracks along a fence facing the street may show that the dog paced or raced back and forth barking and growling at people or dogs that passed by. Bite marks on the top or sides of a wooden fence suggest the dog released its aggression on the fence rather than elsewhere.
• Determine whether the owner was negligent or not - Proving in court that the owner of the dog in question was not a responsible owner can help persuade a jury that the dog was dangerous.
Some of the responsibilities of the dog’s owner include the annual licensing of the dog, required shots for the dog, a regular veterinarian check-up, etc. If the dog was trained, interview the trainer about the dog's behavior.
• Ask a pet-behavior expert to support your claim. Bring the expert opinion into the case as soon as possible. Besides educating yourself about aggressive behavior in dogs and reading any books or articles written by the opposing expert, the expert can make sure that all necessary questions about the dog's behavior are asked.
• Be aware of new attitudes concerning dogs and pets in general. Some people treat dogs and pets like a family member. This new attitude can also affect the resolution of a case. As a result of this shift in focus, jurors' attitudes have changed as well.
Building a solid foundation of testimony to support your case begins early, and it is important to understand how aggressive behavior works so that your questions can bring out any relevant information. Because a dog bite case is no easy matter, you need the assistance of a dog bite attorney who specializes in this type of cases to help you recover suitable damages for your injuries.
Our personal injury defenders offer expert legal advice and representation for victims of dog attacks. Just log on to our website and have the chance to consult our competent dog bite attorneys, free of any charges.
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Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/law-articles/how-to-handle-a-dog-bite-incident-353565.html
About the Author:Before becoming an online writer, Manuel worked as a journalist, a newspaper columnist, a scriptwriter, a fiction writer, a magazine editor, and a tutor. He acquired his legal background as a Senate legislative officer and later on, as a researcher and paralegal staff in various law offices. Someday he hoped to go back and devote more time to writing fiction, which is his first passion.
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