Kamloops Dog Bite Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog in Kamloops, you have a limitation period of up to two years to determine if you would like to pursue a civil lawsuit. In most cases, the dog owner’s insurance policy will pay for the claim. Several years ago, the average payout for a dog bite claim was close to $20,000 toward medical bills and lost wages.

At Preszler Law with offices in nearby Kelowna, we pursue damages that include long-term therapy for PTSD, as well as pain and suffering compensation, especially when there is disfigurement or disability. For more than 60 years, we’ve helped dog bite victims start their lives over after incidents involving aggressive canines.

What Causes Dog Bites?  

There are many different dog bite triggers and types of aggression, including:

• Territorial – The dog is defending its space from “intruders.”
• Protective – The dog is protecting its “pack” from other animals or people.
• Possessive – The dog is protecting food, toys, snacks, or resources of value from theft.
• Fear – The dog feels cornered when trying to retreat in a frightening situation.
• Defensive – The dog seeks to assert control or dominance in a frightening situation.
• Social – The dog looks to display dominant pack order when poorly socialized with other dogs.
• Frustration – The dog acts out of overstimulation and aggravation when restricted by leash or fence.
• Redirection – The dog lashes out at someone trying to break up a dog fight.
• Pain – The dog demonstrates aggression when injured or in pain.
• Sex-related – The dog becomes aggressive when vying for a mate’s attention.
• Predatory – The dog acts aggressively by instinct while chasing wildlife, a motor vehicle, or other prey.
• Threat response – The dog may identify a child as a threat due to similar size and direct eye contact.
• Genetics – The dog was poorly bred with parents that displayed aggressive qualities.
• Medical condition – Neurological damage, tumours, rabies, and other medical issues cause aggression. 

Who Is Liable For A Dog Bite?

In any case, a dog’s owner is always liable for keeping the animal restrained and appropriately monitored to prevent injury to others. The courts may concur that the dog presented a danger to society if the dog has a history of previous bites, barking at strangers, lunging, jumping up on people, chasing people, killing wildlife, or fighting with other dogs.

Kamloops does not recognize any particular breed as “aggressive,” but bylaws grant animal control the authority to take into custody a “dangerous dog, a potentially dangerous dog, an aggressive dog, a nuisance dog, an unlicensed dog, or a dog not bearing a collar or tag required under this bylaw, or a dog that has been running at large, whether or not that dog has taken refuge on a premises.”

There are many ways owners can prevent an attack. For instance, they might come up with a plan for curbing aggression with a veterinarian and behavioural specialists. Additional care should be taken to avoid known triggers. Some dogs may require re-homing, while other dogs that are known to be dangerous and cannot be controlled should be euthanized.

Where To Find Kamloops Dog Bite Lawyers 

Here, at Preszler Law, you can connect with a personal injury lawyer who will work on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing for legal advice and only pay a legal fee if your claim is successful.