Winning a lawsuit over a dog bite can be tricky since Nevada does not have a dog bite statute. Learn what you can do to strengthen your case.

Strengthening a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Las Vegas

If you have been bitten by a dog in Las Vegas, suing the dog’s owners can be tricky as Nevada does not specifically have a law covering dog bites. However, working with a dog bite attorney Las Vegas, you can successfully sue under a general negligence claim if you can prove that the owner knew their dog was a threat to bite and didn’t take adequate steps to protect the public. Here are a few points that can help you strengthen your case.

Frequent Aggressive Behavior

An animal’s past history can be used to prove that the owner should have reasonably known that it was a threat to bite a person. This history can include a track record of snapping or biting at people or past fights with other dogs. Another potential factor in a lawsuit is if the dog has been trained as an attack dog; if this is the case the owner has a higher burden to keep the dog away from the public.

Defending Against Shared Negligence

One common defense that dog owners use in Nevada during a civil case is that the person who was bitten had provoked the dog and was partially responsible for the attack. If this holds up in court, a potential financial judgement can be reduced or even thrown out. It’s important to find witnesses to the attack if possible to prove that you were not involved in provoking the dog to attack.

Dog Breeds and Sizes

Certain breeds of dogs are known to be more likely to aggressively attack strangers. Such breeds include rottweilers and pit bulls and preventing obese pets from attacking people is of utmost importance. If you are bitten by a dog that is a breed known to be aggressive, this can be proof that the owner should have taken additional precautions. This is also true if the dog is a larger breed that can cause more damage if a bite does occur.