Proven to enrich our physical and mental health, dogs are extremely intelligent creatures with a loyalty to their humans that is unexpectedly strong. In 2014, a total of about 83.3 million dogs lived in U.S. households as pets.

Part of the responsibility for having these wonderful companions is that dog owners must ensure that their animals do not cause injury or harm to others. No matter their personality, just about all dogs have teeth that can cause serious damage such as permanent scarring and disfigurement. When a dog bites someone, that person may be entitled to receive damages from the owner for his or her injuries. At the Mann Law Firm, we have over 50 years of experience helping people whose loved ones have suffered from all kinds of personal injuries , including dog bites. Attorney David Mann invites dog bite victims to share their stories with him. He is personally involved in every case and is committed to getting clients the compensation they deserve.

He is a member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, past president of the Middle Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and ready to help you. For a free consultation with a knowledgeable Bibb County dog bite attorney, call 478-742-3381 in Macon, Dublin, Warner Robins or Milledgeville, or fill out our online form.

Even an otherwise friendly dog can become aggressive if put into a situation where it feels provoked, threatened or scared. Unfortunately, there are also some dogs which have not had consistent, positive interaction with people and as a result, may be more likely to behave in self-defensive ways. Another common issue involves dogs who are not on leashes or in fenced yards which may be wary when approached by unfamiliar people. In 2014, loose dogs off their owner’s property inflicted 40 percent of all fatal attacks, a sharp rise from the last 10-year rate of 24 percent (2005 to 2014). The unfortunate truth is that dog bites occur more frequently than most people realize – an average of over 4 million every year, with about 900,000 serious enough to require medical treatment. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that in 2013, almost 27,000 reconstructive procedures were performed to repair injuries caused by dog bites. A study published in 2010 showed there were 4 times as many dog bite-related emergency room visits and 3 times as many hospital stays in rural areas than in urban areas.

Statistics from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control show that in the period from 2003 to 2012, dog bites were the 11th leading cause of nonfatal injury to children ages 1-4, 9th for ages 5-9, and 10th for ages 10-14.

In Georgia, you have two years after the date of a dog bite to file a lawsuit. After that time, it is highly unlikely that a court will hear your case. In order to prove that a dog’s owner is liable under our state’s dog bite statute, the injured person must show all of the following:

  • the animal is vicious or dangerous,
  • the owner was careless with the animal or let it “go at liberty,” which caused the injury, and
  • the injured person did not provoke the animal.

Because Georgia is a “negligence” dog bite state, an owner must generally know that a dog might be vicious or dangerous in order to be held liable for a dog bite. However, failure to have a dog on a leash where a law or ordinance requires one is enough to show knowledge.

Macon Dog Bite Lawyer

Although we are based in the seat of Bibb County, our Macon dog bite attorneys are pleased to assist clients in communities across Georgia. If you have been bitten by a dog belonging to another individual, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury, including for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost income. The best way to protect your rights is to seek the advice of a qualified attorney as soon after the bite as possible. Call (478) 742-3381 or fill out our online form to begin the process of holding the dog’s owner responsible for the actions of his or her pet.

Attorney David Mann

Attorney David MannBefore leading his own firm, Mann served for several years as in-house defense counsel for a large insurance company, which gives him unique insight into how insurance companies work. He uses this critical knowledge as an advantage for his clients. He is a tough negotiator and litigator, and he is exceptionally strategic in building cases on behalf of personal injury victims.[ Attorney Bio ]

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