Houston Dog Bite Lawyer

In layman’s terms, this means that the owner can be found liable when his/her dog bites another person if negligence was a factor.

In order to prove negligence, the victim must be able to show that the owner failed to use reasonable care to prevent the bite, and/or that the owner knew about the dog’s aggressive nature.

It is one of the most terrifying experiences that anyone can face. If you, a loved one, or your child has been attacked by a dog and suffered a dog bite injury, nobody needs to remind you of the alarm and stress it can cause.

Sometimes, unfortunately, victims also have a permanent reminder of the incident with a bite mark that they carry for the rest of their lives.

Negligent owners should be held accountable for their actions – not least to prevent bites from happening to other victims.

Ryan DeHoyos is a dog bite lawyer experienced in such cases in the Houston area. He can help you claim the compensation you deserve and move on with your life with compensation for injuries suffered.

Who needs a dog bite lawyer in Houston? 

Only the most ferocious attacks from dogs make the news headlines in Houston but every day many silent victims suffer bites due to the negligent actions of the dog owners.

Nationwide, around 800,000 people who are bitten by dogs each year require medical care. That’s over 2,000 a day and it leads to a lot of dog bite lawsuits.

Almost any dog bite can cause a serious injury. It commonly results in injuries to the face and head, with the potential to leave a victim with serious scarring and disfigurement.

The emotional trauma and suffering that comes with this, in addition to physical pain, should not be underestimated.

If you have been injured by a dog in the Houston area, you have a right to seek compensation for financial losses and emotional pain and suffering.

However, proving liability and claiming the compensation you deserve can be challenging without a lawyer experienced in this type of personal injury claim.

Your lawyer will gather evidence, speak to witnesses, and help you determine the next steps for getting your medical bills paid and making a claim.

What Causes Dog Bites in Houston, Texas?

Fear: 

An unfamiliar environment, loud noises, or feeling threatened can cause a dog to bite defensively.   

Protection:

Dogs may bite to protect their food, toys, territory, or owners.   

Surprise: 

Startling a dog can trigger a bite reflex, especially while sleeping or eating.   

Improper Training or Socialization: 

Dogs that haven’t been properly trained or socialized may be more likely to bite due to fear, anxiety, or lack of understanding of human behavior.   

Sickness or Injury: 

Sick or injured dogs may be in pain and more prone to biting.

Neglect or Abuse: 

Neglected or abused dogs may become aggressive and more likely to bite.      

Are Certain Dog Breeds More Likely to Bite?

While some breeds may be stereotyped as more aggressive, the likelihood of a bite depends more on the individual dog’s temperament, training, and socialization. 

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), focusing on breed is unreliable for assessing bite risk.   

Here’s a table outlining some findings from a study on dog bite risk factors:

Factor	Increased Risk	Decreased Risk
Neutered Status	Intact Males	Neutered Males & Females
Early Socialization	Less Socialization	Extensive Socialization
Owner Training	No Training	Obedience Training

Dog Bite Injury Statistics in Houston, Texas

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 4.5 million dog bites occur annually in the United States.  

A study published by the National Institutes of Health found that between 2001 and 2016, Texas had the second-highest number of dog bite-related fatalities in the U.S.

Nationwide, around 800,000 people who are bitten by dogs each year require medical care. That’s over 2,000 a day and leads to many dog bite lawsuits.

How Can a Houston Dog Bite Lawyer Help?

If a dog has bitten you, a Houston dog bite lawyer can be valuable in your recovery process. Here’s a breakdown of the ways they can assist you:

Legal Guidance and Representation

A Houston dog bite lawyer can explain your rights under Texas law and guide you through the legal process of filing a claim.

Investigation

Your lawyer will investigate the circumstances of the bite to gather evidence to support your case.

Determining Liability

A Houston dog bite lawyer can help determine who is liable for your injuries, whether the dog owner, a landlord, or another party. 

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Dog bite lawyers are experienced in negotiating with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

Litigation

Your lawyer can represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached.

Working with a skilled Houston dog bite lawyer increases your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to your injury.

Can you sue for a dog bite in Texas?

The Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822 deals with the regulation of animals and, specifically “dogs that attack persons or are a danger to persons”.

This is no straightforward matter and much depends on the history of the dog in question and if the owner is aware that the dog is dangerous.

Let’s take a look at the applicable laws in Texas, which should help you decide whether suing for your dog bite injury makes sense.

Texas “dangerous dog” laws

Texas “dangerous dog” laws

The Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822 regulates animals, specifically “dogs that attack persons or are a danger to persons.” 

In Texas, owners of dangerous dogs are held strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets. A dog is classified as hazardous if it:

• Makes an unprovoked attack that causes bodily injury.
• Commits unprovoked acts that cause a person to believe they will be attacked.

If a dog is deemed dangerous, owners must take specific precautions, such as keeping the dog in a secure enclosure and warning others of the dog’s aggressive nature. Failing to do so can result in criminal charges and civil liability for any injuries the dog causes.

Strict Liability & Dog Bites in Texas

Texas law applies strict liability to dog bites under certain circumstances. This means the dog’s owner is automatically liable for your injuries, regardless of their knowledge of the dog’s aggressive tendencies.   

However, this only applies if the dog is classified as “dangerous” according to the Texas Health and Safety Code.

What Makes a Dog “Dangerous” in Texas?

A dog is considered dangerous if it meets one of the following criteria:

1. Unprovoked Attack: 

The dog has inflicted bodily injury on a person in an unprovoked attack outside of a secure enclosure.

2. Threatening Behavior: 

The dog exhibits aggressive behavior outside a secure enclosure, causing a reasonable person to believe they are in imminent danger of attack.

According to the statute,

a dangerous dog is defined as a dog that: Makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury and occurs in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own; or Commits unprovoked acts in a place other than an enclosure in which the dog was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving the enclosure on its own and those acts cause a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury to that person.

If the dog is classified as dangerous and strict liability rules apply, you may not be required to demonstrate the owner’s failure to use reasonable care to prevent the attack.

What is the Texas “One Bite Rule”?

If the dog that attacked you has not been previously classified as dangerous, the “one-bite rule” may apply. This rule comes with a higher burden of proof for the victim.

Here’s what you’ll need to demonstrate to hold the owner liable under negligence:

The owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack. 

This could include keeping the dog leashed, posting warning signs, or properly securing the enclosure.

The owner knew or should have known about the dog’s aggressive tendencies. 

Evidence to support this could include prior incidents, complaints from neighbors, or the breed’s reputation for aggression (although breed alone is not a determining factor).

The “one-bite rule” can be challenging because it can be difficult to prove the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s aggression, especially if there have been no prior bite incidents.

Can a dog owner be charged with a crime?

If a dog owner acted with criminal negligence or knew that their dog was dangerous and failed to prevent it from biting someone, he or she could be charged with a crime in Texas, as well as being held civilly liable for damages.

Felony charges may apply if the owner fails to secure a dangerous dog and someone is seriously injured or killed away from the owner’s property – providing the victim did not provoke the attack.

For instance, if there was a previous, unprovoked attack or the owner had been informed by appropriate authorities that the dog was dangerous, the owner could be accused of criminal negligence in the event of a dog bite incident.

Common dog attack injuries in Houston

Dog attacks can cause a wide range of injuries, both physical and emotional. Some common injuries include:

Severe lacerations: 

Deep cuts can occur when a dog bites or scratches with its claws.

Broken bones: 

Powerful dogs can easily fracture bones, especially in the hands or arms, while victims try to defend themselves.

Scarring and disfigurement: 

Bites to the face can leave lasting scars, impacting a victim’s self-esteem and requiring reconstructive surgery.

Eye injuries: 

Aggressive dogs may aim for the face, leading to potential blindness or other eye damage.

Amputations: 

In extreme cases, victims may lose fingers or toes due to the severity of the attack.These injuries can require extensive medical treatment, therapy, and surgery, leaving victims with overwhelming expenses. If you’ve suffered from any of these injuries, contact a Houston dog bite injury lawyer to discuss your options for compensation.

What can you claim from a dog bite injury case in Houston?

Even if you were trespassing at the time of the dog bite attack (and are therefore held partially liable for your injuries) you can claim compensation under the “comparative negligence” laws in Texas.

As long as you are deemed 50 percent or less responsible for your injuries, you can claim compensation for the remaining proportion that was due to the negligence of the other party.

A dog owner who was unaware that a dog was dangerous may be deemed only partially liable even if you were not trespassing at the time. If the owner was aware that their dog was dangerous and there was no trespassing, he or she will usually be held fully liable for the injuries and other damages caused.

Damages may include the following:

Medical Expenses

Are all costs related to your injury, including emergency care, surgery, and physical therapy.

Psychological counseling: 

Many victims experience trauma and anxiety after a dog attack and require professional help to recover emotionally.

Pain and suffering: 

Compensation for physical and emotional pain endured due to the attack.

Lost wages: 

If your injury prevents you from working, you can seek compensation for lost income and reduced earning capacity.

Disfigurement and scarring: 

Additional compensation for permanent scarring or disfigurement.

Loss of quality of life: 

Suppose the injury limits your ability to enjoy life or participate in everyday activities. In that case, you can also claim damages for this.For a more detailed look at potential compensation in dog bite cases, visit Houston Personal Injury FAQs.

Why hire Ryan DeHoyos as your car accident lawyer?

Ryan DeHoyos has years of experience representing dog bite victims in the Houston area. He understands what to look for in such cases and how best to approach claims.

It is advisable to speak to him as soon as possible after your injuries have been checked and treated – while the details are still fresh in your mind.

You will find that Ryan has a compassionate ear for your story and will listen carefully to establish the facts.  He will then start to gather the evidence required to support your version of events.

The problem in these cases is that what may seem like a clear case of negligence to you may not be so easy to prove if the dog owner refuses to admit liability. The owner may claim that the victim was trespassing at the time of the incident or that they were unaware that the dog was capable of being aggressive.

Texas laws concerning this are complex. Failure to understand these laws can severely limit your ability to win compensation. So, it is in your interest to seek the guidance of an experienced dog bite attorney like Ryan DeHoyos.

The last thing you need when recovering from your injury is having to worry about communicating with a non-compliant dog owner or an insurance company that is reluctant to payout.  We can handle all that for you. We will push for the maximum possible settlement or take the matter to court and let a jury decide. Our excellent track record of settling matters out of court can save delays in receiving your compensation but Ryan DeHoyos is equally adept at trial if it ends up in the courtroom.

Ryan’s commitment to helping victims get full and fair compensation for their injuries, financial losses, and emotional pain and suffering saw him named as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2019. He is intimately familiar with the local Houston court system as well as the procedures and laws involved in all types of personal accident injury claims.

Houston Dog Bite Lawyer Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I do immediately after a dog bite?

Seek medical attention immediately and report the incident to local animal control. Then, consult with a Houston dog bite lawyer to discuss your legal options.

2. Can I still sue if I was partially at fault for the dog bite?

Yes. Under Texas’ comparative negligence law, as long as you are 50% or less at fault, you can still pursue compensation.

3. How long do I have to file a dog bite injury claim in Houston?

Texas law gives victims two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury claim.

4. Can I sue if a dog bit my child?

Absolutely. Children are especially vulnerable to serious injuries from dog attacks. A Houston dog bite lawyer can help you file a claim on your child’s behalf.

5. What damages can I recover in a dog bite case?

You can recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more, depending on the severity of your injuries.

Contact a Houston Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured by a dog in Houston, don’t wait to take action. Ryan DeHoyos is an experienced Houston dog bite attorney who can help you secure the compensation you deserve. Contact him today for a free consultation and take the first step toward justice.

Call (832) 753-5908 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation.

Dog Bite Injury Infographic