Dog Bite Lawyers St. Catharines

Being bit by a dog is a difficult experience to recover from. However, regardless of the reason behind the dog bite or attack, the owner is responsible for ensuring that the dogs behaviour doesn't endanger someone else. If you or someone you know has been attacked or bitten by a dog, contact the team at Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers in St. Catherines to work with an experienced dog bite lawyer. We ensure you get the compensation you deserve.  

In 1990 the Dog Owners Liability Act was introduced in Ontario to protect the residents of St. Catherines, Ontario, who were injured due to dog bites. This law holds the dog's owner accountable and liable for all the damage the dog bite or attacks cause another person.  

Keeping in mind that if the accident happens on the owner's property and the dog bite victim intended to commit a crime or illegal activity, the dog owners are not liable.   

A court proceeding may be commenced against the dog's owner if:  

• The owner didn't take proper precautions to prevent the dog from biting or attacking.  
• The dog behaves in a way that poses safety concerns towards people or other domestic animals.  
• The dog has bitten and or attacked another domestic animal.  

 The court will take into consideration the past dogs behaviour and its temperament. The injuries incurred by the attack and the circumstances of the incident justify the dogs' actions, precautions taken by the dog's owner to prevent attacks in the future, and any other circumstances that the court deems relevant.   

Some ways the court will suggest for effectively controlling the dog:  

• The dog is to stay on the owner's property  
• Dog must be leashed   
• The dog must be muzzled  
• Posting warning signs on the property  

If a dog has bitten you or someone you know, it's imperative to take the right steps to ensure the dog owner is held accountable and to ensure your injuries are healing. Like any animal bites, they can become infected, so it's critical to see a medical professional right away.   

Things you need to obtain prior to seeing a lawyer:  

• Dog owners contact information   
• Photographs  
• Medical notes   
• Receipts (taxis, medical expenses etc)   
• Dogs vaccine records   

Dog bites can cause serious physical injury, but the emotional and psychological effects can linger long past the accident. Dog bites are a traumatic event for all ages of people, however more severe for children. This is because children are small and vulnerable and pick up on emotions and notice how upset their parents/guardians are when talking about the accident, which leads them to remain silent about their feelings regarding the accident. This teaches children to hide their emotions and leads to high levels of anxiety and PTSD.   

These emotional effects interfere with normal development, and adults need to be aware of children's signs of emotional distress. The signs include:  

• Crying  
• Nightmares   
• Anger  
• Withdrawn behaviour   
• Separation anxiety towards parents  

If you or someone you know has suffered from a dog bite, contact the team at Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers to ensure you receive compensation. Dog bites can be a very traumatic experience for many, and victims should not have to suffer in silence. Our team has hands-on experience and will review your case with you. 

55 King Street #207
St. Catharines, ON L2R 3H5
Get directions