It might be hard to resist letting a friend or neighbor pet a dog’s floppy ears, fluffy paws or wagging tail. In Minnesota, however, a dog’s owner can face serious consequences if their dog bites someone.
Minnesota law states that if a dog, without provocation, attacks or injures a person the dog’s owner is responsible for the person’s damages in full. The injured person only has to demonstrate that he or she was lawfully in the place where the bite occurred, did not provoke the dog and acted peaceably. The term “owner” includes anyone keeping a dog.
Dog bite injuries
Dog bites can cause minor injuries like scratches or bruises, but in more serious situations the injuries can be debilitating. These can include broken bones, puncture wounds, permanent disability or even death.
If a person suffers a dog bite, he or she should apply first aid such as cleaning the wound, applying a wound dressing and stopping any bleeding. Depending on the severity of the injury, the person may also want to seek medical attention.
In addition to the physical injuries a person may encounter, he or she can also suffer financial harm. Dog bite injuries can prevent a person from working entirely or their work may be reduced while he or she is healing. The medical expenses to treat the injury can also be significant.
Pursuing compensation
It’s helpful to know that there is a remedy under the law for dog bite incidents. An attorney can help the injured person pursue compensation and provide advice specific to his or her situation.