According to ASPCA, there’s no cure for aggressiveness in dogs. While humans can limit an aggressive dog’s exposure to certain situations and people, there’s nothing you can do to train the aggressiveness out of an animal.
When a dog gets aggressive, the devastation to the victim can be severe. Not only do most dogs have very sharp teeth and strong jaws, but their mouths are also full of bacteria that are harmful to humans. Learn more about New Jersey’s laws surrounding dangerous dogs and dog bites below.
New Jersey’s Laws Regarding Dangerous Dogs
Laws in the state of New Jersey specifically prohibit the banning of certain dog breeds, which means owners are free to own whatever type of pet dog they’d like. While this freedom is nice for dog owners, it doesn’t come without strings attached. A dog, regardless of its breed, can be deemed dangerous if it attacks another person or animal unprovoked. A dangerous dog that attacks another person or animal will be impounded by the police officer that responds to the incident. From there, a court hearing will be held to determine whether its safe for the pet dog to continue living with its owner. The owner may have to:
- Put special warning signs on their property
- Get a special license to continue owning the dog
- Keep the pet locked in an enclosure
- Always have the pet wear a muzzle and leash while not enclosed
Is the Dog’s Owner Liable After an Attack in NJ?
In most situations, the pet’s owner is strictly liable for any type of attack or bite. The dog may have never attacked or bitten anyone before, but that fact doesn’t matter to courtrooms in New Jersey. Whether the dog is dangerous or not, the owner will be held liable if the attack happened on public property or the person was an invited guest onto their private property. Dog owners can use trespassing as a valid legal defense against a dog attack, but it will only work if you were not legally allowed to be on the property where the attack occurred.
Contact a Haddonfield Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Dog Bite Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a dog bite in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Andres, Berger & Tran represent clients injured because of dog bites in Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Marlton, and throughout New Jersey. Call 856-317-6558 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 264 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ 08033 as well as offices in Mount Laurel, Philadelphia, and Princeton.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
