Dogs are considered by many to be loyal, loving companions that have earned the reputation of being “man’s best friend”. A well-behaved dog can become an integral part of a happy home life. Dog owners all agree that a long, challenging day in the office is quickly forgotten upon returning home to be greeted by a furry, tail-wagging bundle of energy.
Dog ownership also comes with tremendous responsibility and potential legal liability. In the State of Maryland, when a dog bites or otherwise causes injury to an individual, the law creates a rebuttable presumption that the owner knew or should have known that the dog had vicious or dangerous propensities. This puts the burden upon the dog owner to produce evidence to the contrary. For example, the dog owner must prove that the dog was well-trained, behaved, and kept under effective restraint and control. However, when a dog is off leash or running at large, Maryland law is clear that the dog owner is liable for any personal injury resulting from a dog bite. Some exceptions to this rule of strict liability include when an individual is trespassing upon the property of the owner, committing a criminal offense, or teasing or provoking the dog.
The requirement of keeping a dog under effective restraint or control is often reflected in county ordinances and regulations throughout the State of Maryland. While one may think that walking a dog on a leash is effective control, there are certain circumstances in which an owner may still be liable for a dog bite. For instance, consider the owner who walks a large dog using a retractable leash. If the large dog chases after a small dog and bites the owner attempting to protect her small dog, the large dog owner may still face legal liability.
At Meyers, Rodbell, and Rosenbaum, we have successfully litigated and resolved dog bite cases for over 25 years. Sadly, some of the dog bite cases that we have handled have resulted in catastrophic and permanent personal injuries and scarring to the victims. Our track record in dog bite cases reflects a consistent commitment towards achieving maximum compensation for our injured clients. If you or a loved one has suffered injury due to a dog bite please contact one of our attorneys today at (301) 699-5800.