President Bush’s dog, Barney, apparently had enough of the media when he sunk his teeeth into Reuters TV White House correspondent Jon Decker.First Dog Barney and his handler were out on the front lawn for a walk when Decker bent down to pet him. Decker insists he didn’t provoke Barney and the dog’s handler says that the reaction was very unlike Barney.
Adam Goldfarb, an ‘Issues Specialist’ on dangerous dogs and dog bites, had this to say after viewing the incriminating video.
In Duval County (Jacksonville) Florida there is an Animal Control Ordinance in place under Section 462 of the City of Jacksonville Code titled the Jacksonville Florida Animal Control Ordinance. The Animal Control Ordinance covers topics including dog bites, dangerous dogs, and leash law.
Barney was on his own property but if there is a problem with an “At Large” dog or a dangerous dog, you can contact the City of Jacksonville Animal Control Department.
Florida’s Dog Bite Statute applies state wide and is not contingent on any of the various leash laws in place for counties and cities. Dog bites have legal consequences and a personal Injury Lawyer/ dog bite lawyer can assist you with these matters.
For tips on avoiding dog bites visit Michael E. Seelie, Personal Injury Attorney.
Florida has a strict liability policy on dogbites. FL Statute 767.04. Dog owners are responsible for ensuring that their pets do not cause harm to others.
When a dog attacks a person, the injuries can sometimes be severe, requiring emergency and ongoing medical treatment. Scars and disfigurement can occur in serious cases, and in the worst scenarios, victims may be killed.
In most cases, the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance handles injury claims. If an attack happens while the victim is legally on private property (as an invited guest, to deliver mail, etc.) or while the victim is on public property, the owner is typically liable as long as the victim was not intentionally and persistently antagonizing the animal.
Most dog bites occur to children. In Florida, financial recovery on behalf of a child in a dog bite injury claim is placed in a protective account until the child is 18 in most circumstances. Ensuring that the recovery for your child is maximized and properly structured to provide full benefit to your child’s future is an extraordinarily important reason to seek legal counsel.
Roughly 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year according to the Center for Disease Control. Because of the staggering demand on homeowners insurance, a growing number of states and municipalities pass laws that do everything from create dangerous dog registries to outright banning of certain dog breeds. Legislators are trying to determine how those laws can be enforced without impinging on the rights of dog owners.
In the meantime, when a dog has attacked someone, there are certain legal rights to which that person is entitled. Whether or not the damages are covered by the pet owner’s homeowners insurance is another issue.
