Dog Bite injuries in South Dakota
Dogs are considered to be man’s best friend. And most dogs are wonderful companions. An increasing number of dogs, however, are not good companions for people. For many reasons, they choose to attack individuals who many times don’t even realize that the dog has been provoked. Particularly with children, these attacks can lead to long-term damage including scarring, disfigurement, and emotional damage. And, of course, there have been a number of well-publicized cases involving dogs that have actually killed people.
If you or your child has been attacked by someone’s dog, you have recourse against that person for damages related to the attack. In South Dakota, dog owners are held to a theory of strict liability for injuries caused by their pets — there is no “one free bite” rule. That means that even if this is the first time the particular dog has bitten anyone and the owner can truthfully say that he or she did not realize that the dog would bite, the owner still must pay your damages.
And contrary to popular belief, trained attack dogs, particular breeds of dog, or fighting dogs are not the only dogs who ever attack people without warning. In fact, it is often the trusted family pet that suddenly reacts out of character and bites someone.
The attorneys of the law office of Gregory A. Yates, P.C., have handled many dog bite cases. In the firm’s experience, these cases often settle rather than go to trial due to the thorough trial preparation that Mr. Yates demands for all cases in the office. Whether a bite is from the pet that has never shown any aggression or is part of a full-blown attack, you deserve to be compensated for your or your child’s pain and suffering and other losses related to the injury.
If you have been attacked by a dog in South Dakota, contact the firm to set up an initial consultation about your case. Let Gregory Yates and his associates maximize your recovery from your dog bite case.