Lexington Dog Bite and Animal Attack Lawyer

Dog bites and pet attacks can cause severe injuries and high medical bills.

If a dog bite or other pet attack has left you or a family member injured, call George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers today. Our dog bite and animal attack lawyers serving Lexington, South Carolina, help residents victimized by dog bites and other pet attacks recover compensation for their injuries.

Our Promise to Clients

We are a personal injury law firm that represents victims of domestic animal attacks, such as dog bites and attacks. Our lawyers’ past successes representing victims of pet attacks is not a guarantee that we will recover compensation in future cases. Every pet attack matter is different, after all. We do, however, promise to give our full measure of compassion and dedication to seeking the best possible outcome for our clients.

Lexington Dog Bite and Animal Attack Lawyer Near Me(888) 612-7001

South Carolina/ Lexington Ordinances on Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

Many South Carolinians don’t realize there are extensive state and local laws governing pet ownership here. For example, Lexington ordinances require pet owners to inoculate their dogs and cats against rabies, and bars them from taking dogs off of their property unless leashed or contained in a portable kennel.

These rules go a long way in protecting the public, but they’re not 100% effective. When pet attacks occur, South Carolina law gives victims the right to sue for damages. Dog bites can end up costing you more than you think, so it’s important to speak with a Lexington, SC, dog bite and animal attack attorney to help you get the full value of compensation.

South Carolina Dog Bite Statute

S.C. Code § 47-3-110 makes dog owner responsibilities very clear. If a dog attacks a person in a public place or on private property, “the dog owner or person having the dog in the person’s care or keeping is liable for the damages suffered by the person bitten or otherwise attacked.” The dog owner can escape liability only if:

• The victim was trespassing on the owner’s property at the time of the attack.
• The victim “provoked or harassed the dog and that provocation was the proximate cause of the attack.”
• The dog was a police canine acting on the lawful command of a law enforcement officer.

Lexington dog owners who fail to obey state and local dog laws may also face criminal liability for their actions.

Non-Canine Animal Attacks

When a non-canine pet attacks someone, South Carolina law enables the victim to recover damages according to the legal doctrines of “premises liability” and negligence. “Premises liability” refers to the circumstances in which a property owner may have to pay damages to a visitor who gets injured on the owner’s property (which includes being attacked by an animal). A personal injury attorney can help victims figure out whether a property owner owes damages for a pet attack.

Pet owners also may have legal liability for injuries their pets cause if they fail to take reasonable steps to prevent their pet from acting in a way that’s likely to do harm (in other words, if they’re negligent in keeping their pets). So, if a housecat known to be vicious escapes its kennel and attacks a child visiting the house, the cat’s owner may face legal liability for the child’s injuries.

A Lexington Dog Bite or Animal Attack Lawyer Is Standing by to Assist You

The first thing any victim of a dog bite or other animal attack should do is seek immediate medical care. Victims should take bites, lacerations, or contusions caused by an animal very seriously, as they can lead to infection. Anyone attacked by a pet should also report the incident to the local animal control authority.

After attending to medical needs, Lexington dog bite and pet attack victims can consult with a personal injury attorney to learn about their potential right to compensation. We represent victims by helping them recover damages for their injuries through negotiation and, if necessary, legal action in Lexington County courts. If you lost a loved one to a dog bite or animal attack, you may be eligible to recover compensation through a wrongful death action.

When a dog or other domestic animal attacks a Lexington resident, the knowledgeable team at George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers may be able to help. Contact our firm by phone or online to schedule a free case review with a dog bite and animal attack lawyer serving Lexington, SC, at our Columbia office, your home, or even the hospital if that’s most convenient for you.