Can I Shoot a Dog if It Attacks Me?

If you have ever witnessed a vicious dog attack or experienced one, you may wonder, “Can I shoot a dog if it attacks me?” The answer can depend on local laws. In most states, you can shoot and kill a dog if there is a real threat to life and the dog is actively attacking and injuring you or another person. 

However, shooting a dog should be seen as the last resort. You could find yourself in hot water and even be charged with a criminal offense, such as:

• Discharging a weapon within city limits
• Possession of a concealed weapon
• Possession of an illegal weapon

Therefore, before shooting a vicious dog, you must ensure that there are no reasonable alternatives. 

If you shot someone else’s dog or suffered injuries in a dog attack, Morgan & Morgan’s dog bite attorneys could clarify your legal options and advise you on your next best steps. You could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, property damage, pain and suffering, and other damages. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review. 

Your Next Best Steps After a Dog Attack 

A vicious dog attack can be a frightening experience for you and your loved ones. However, knowing what to do to protect your rights can be critical in the hours and days after an attack. 

Get Prompt Medical Treatment

Dog bites are prone to infections. Therefore, a medical professional should treat any wounds immediately after an attack. Left untreated, dog bites can lead to debilitating and deadly diseases such as tetanus, rabies, and blood infections. Ensure to keep all medical reports and bills as this could be vital evidence if you are hoping to pursue compensation with a legal claim. 

Collect Evidence of the Attack and Your Damages

If you can, take photographs of:

• The dog and owner
• The scene of the attack
• Damaged property
• Your injuries

Retain any damaged items, torn clothing, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses as evidence. If there are eyewitnesses, ask them for contact details and statements. Since you may be entitled to compensation from a negligent dog owner, gathering evidence is critical. 

Call Animal Control

Regardless of injuries, report an aggressive dog to animal control as soon as possible. Reporting dog attacks ensures that there will be a record of the aggressive animal. Animal control will likely take action and put down a repeatedly aggressive dog to prevent anyone from getting hurt in the future.  

Contact Our Dog Attack Attorneys 

Dog attack claims and lawsuits can be challenging and time-consuming. Having a seasoned attorney on your side could be crucial for protecting your rights and achieving the best possible outcome for your case. Our lawyers know how to negotiate with insurance companies refusing adequate payouts. We can handle your dog attack claim from beginning to end and:

• Collect evidence proving the negligence of the dog owner
• Determine your damages and future potential expenses due to the dog attack
• Build a strong case against a negligent dog owner or another liable party
• Negotiate a comprehensive out-of-court settlement 
• Represent you strongly in court 

The consequences of dog bite injuries can ruin your health and finances. If a dog owner is responsible for your injuries, do not let them get away scot-free and seek legal help as soon as possible. Morgan & Morgan could help you recover the compensation you need to get your life back on track.

Common Injuries in Dog Bite Attacks

Dog attacks can cause painful, disabling, and even fatal injuries. Small children are particularly susceptible to suffering severe injuries in dog attacks. Common injuries include:  

Punctures and Lacerations 

Punctures occur when a dog’s teeth pierce the skin and deeper tissues, causing deep wounds. Both types of injuries can be deep, difficult to clean, and prone to infections. Therefore, a medical professional should promptly treat and disinfect punctures and lacerations. 

Nerve Damage

Deep cuts and puncture wounds can cause nerve damage resulting in weakness, pain, and paralysis of the affected area. Severe nerve injuries could cause permanent loss of function and disability.  

Broken Bones

Due to their smaller size, children can be particularly prone to bone fractures in dog attacks. Broken bones can also occur when the victim tries to flee from an aggressive dog and slips or trips. 

Emotional Trauma

A severe dog attack can leave lasting emotional trauma. Individuals could develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety after a vicious attack. 

Shooting a dog if it attacks you or someone else could prevent the worst injuries and save lives. However, since shooting an animal can also complicate your legal case for recovering compensation, consider consulting with an attorney. Morgan & Morgan offers free consultations to help you learn about your legal rights and options.

Compensation for Victims of Dog Attacks

If you suffered harm in a dog attack, you could be entitled to economic and non-economic damages, depending on the severity of your injuries. 

Economic Damages

Economic damages reimburse dog attack victims for expenses related to their injuries. What you can recover will depend on the facts of your specific case. Examples of damages recoverable in dog attacks can include: 

• Current and future medical expenses 
• Psychological counseling
• Medical devices
• Loss of income
• Property damage 
• Miscellaneous expenses 

Non-Economic Damages 

If you suffered severe injuries and emotional trauma due to a dog attack, you could be entitled to significant non-economic damages, including awards for: 

• Physical pain and anguish
• Emotional distress
• Permanent scarring
• Disability
• Reduced life enjoyment

Calculating the value of your claim can be challenging, especially concerning non-economic damages. However, our dog attack attorneys know how to assess your damages and determine the worth of your claim. Knowing your claim’s value can prevent you from leaving money on the table in settlement negotiations.