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Dog Attacks In Fort Worth and Throughout North Texas


Some of the most complex cases I deal with as a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer are dog attack cases. I'm a dog owner myself (I have a Golden Retriever and a Labrador Retriever), yet I am fully aware that despite dog's status as man's best friend, the fact remains that dogs are animals with natural instincts and behavior often unpredictable by human standards. Physical injuries caused by unprovoked dog attacks range from bites to mauling. In the most serious cases, dog attacks have been known to result in the death of their victims. This is particularly common in cases where dogs attack young children, who are virtually defenseless against a vicious animal.

The US Centers for Disease Control estimates that approximately 4.7 million Americans are the victims of dog attacks each year. This averages out to almost 13,000 victims nationwide each day. The US Postal Service reports that 2,851 of their letter carriers are bitten by dogs each year (and yes, we have represented postal workers before on these issues). Of course, the seriousness of even those dog attacks which are reported varies in severity, although the CDC estimates that one in six are serious enough to require medical attention. Over 1,000 dog attack victims are treated in hospitals' emergency departments each day.

Typically, most dog attacks involve breeds widely considered to be pre-disposed to vicious tendencies such as Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, Chow, Presa Canario, Wolf Hybrid, German Shepherd, Husky, Bullmastiff, Akita and mixes including any of these breeds. However, all dogs have the potential to attack, so should it should never be taken for granted that an individual dog is "safe" and all stray or unfamiliar animals should be treated with caution. We have even handled dog injury cases involving usually non-aggressive and docile breeds such as Golden Retrievers.

Learn more in our helpful overview: Dog Attacks 101


"Mark Anderson did a wonderful job representing my wife and me in a dog attack case. As compassionate pet owners we were looking for someone who could understand our situation and represent us with passion. Mark not only understood, he was diligent in his research and investigation, and was able to negotiate a settlement that was substantially more than what we were hoping to receive. I would highly recommend Mark and his team."

J.B. - North Richland Hills, TX
Was injured when their dog was attacked by another dog. Our client got tangled in the leash and suffered very serious lacerations as a result of the unprovoked attack.

What is a Typical Dog Attack Injury Case?
One common scenario which could provoke a dog to attack is when the dog feels their territory is being encroached upon. Often these dogs are not properly socialized as a puppy, which means their instinctual self-defense mechanism kicks in and their fear is manifested as aggression. These dogs are known as fear-biters and are a particularly high risk to children who might innocently expect any dog to be playful yet might unwittingly be putting themselves in a potential dangerous situation by approaching such a dog.

Another common scenario which I frequently encounter is where a vicious dog attacks another leashed dog. The owner of the dog being attacked usually winds up suffering significant lacerations, punctures, abrasions and other serious injuries as a result of not only trying to defend their own pet, but also from getting tangled up in the leash or due to be the secondary target of the attacking dog.



What is the Law In Texas Governing Dog Bites and Dog Attacks?
In Texas, there are two scenarios where you can bring a personal injury case for compensation against the owner of a dog which has attacked you or a loved one:

The first instance would be one of Strict Liability. This is often referred to in Texas as the "one bite rule" because it requires that the victim's attorney prove that the dog's owner should have been aware of its propensity for violence. If it has bitten someone at least one time previously, then the owner should have been aware of the danger that it would attack a person again. 

The second instance requires your personal injury and wrongful death lawyer to prove that the owner or possessor of the dog which attacked you was negligent, and that their negligence directly contributed to you being attacked by their animal. This includes such situations as when an owner allows their dog to run loose around the neighborhood while knowing that there was a possibility that, unsupervised, the dog might attack someone.

If you or a loved one has been hurt by a vicious dog, it's important that you consult with an experienced dog attack lawyer who will be able to explain your legal rights and responsibilities. We have successfully handled this types of cases in the past. Please call the Anderson Law Firm toll free at 800-354-6275. Alternatively, you may contact us online and one of our attorneys will contact you back as soon as possible. You can also call our office locally in Fort Worth at 817-294-1900 or in Dallas at 214-327-8000.


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The Anderson Law Firm offers free no obligation consultations to people injured in accidents or who have suffered physical harm as a result of someone else's actions. We do not charge you to initially discuss your situation and establish whether you have a claim to pursue. You can call us and discuss your case over the phone, we can set up an appointment for you to come into our office, or we can visit you in your home anywhere in the metroplex.

If after meeting with us you decide that we are the best personal injury lawyer for you, then we will enter into a contingent fee agreement. This means that we only get paid when we win a settlement or jury verdict in your favor. You don't pay us anything up front. We will cover all expenses spent working on your case. Only when we win for you will you need to pay us. If we don't win, then you owe us nothing.

Contact us online now or call us 24 hours a day toll free on 1-800-354-MARK (1-800-345-6-275). You can also call us locally in Fort Worth on 817-294-1900 or in Dallas on 214-327-8000.


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