Articles Posted in Dog Bites

Dog bites can result in serious injuries and inflammation that can cause significant pain and suffering. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Chicago, it is important to seek medical attention right away.

At our law firm in Chicago, we have seen the physical and emotional trauma that can come with a dog bite injury. Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to helping clients receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries.

Dog bite injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe lacerations, puncture wounds, and fractures. In addition to the initial injury, dog bites can also lead to infections and inflammation, which can cause significant pain and require surgery. Some common infections that can occur as a result of a dog bite include tetanus, rabies, and cellulitis.  Inflammation is also a common result of a dog bite injury. Inflammation occurs when the body’s immune system responds to an injury or infection, causing redness, swelling, and pain. In some cases, inflammation can become chronic, leading to long-term pain and discomfort.

The Chicago personal injury attorneys Zneimer & Zneimer PC have encountered sad cases where dogs end up euthanized because they cause serious injuries to people or as a result of aggressive or fear-based behavior, but it is important to note that this is often not the dog’s fault. A lack of proper socialization and training can lead to a dog becoming aggressive or fearful in certain situations, which can increase the risk of a dog bite incident.  Proper socialization and training can help a dog learn appropriate behavior, how to respond to commands, and how to interact with people and other animals. Socialization can also help a dog to become comfortable in different environments and to learn how to cope with new and unfamiliar situations.

It is important to note that dogs who have been abused or neglected, may have behavioral issues stemming from their past experiences that can be addressed with proper training and socialization. In these cases, it is not the dog’s fault, but rather a result of the previous owner’s failure to provide proper care and socialization.  Euthanasia should always be considered as a last resort and only after all other options have been exhausted, such as behavior modification and rehabilitation.

Overall, it is crucial for dog owners to take the responsibility to properly socialize and train their dogs, as this can prevent many behavioral issues and reduce the risk of dog bite incidents. It is also important for society as a whole, to understand that many behavioral issues stem from improper care and to work towards providing rehabilitation and education, instead of punishment.

Many people consider their dogs to be their best friends. Dogs are known for their loyalty and affection towards their owners and can provide a sense of companionship and emotional support. Dogs can be a source of comfort and security, and can also help reduce stress and loneliness. Having a dog can also encourage people to be more active and social, as dogs require daily exercise and attention. Studies have also shown that having a dog can have many physical and mental health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of depression. Overall, the bond between dogs and their owners can be a strong and positive one, making them more than just a pet, but a true companion.

Dogs are widely considered to be one of the oldest and most widespread domestic animals in the world, and the bond between humans and dogs remains strong to this day. The domestication of dogs is thought to have occurred around 15,000 to 30,000 years ago, during the time when humans were transitioning from hunting and gathering to farming. Over time, dogs have been used for various purposes such as hunting, herding, guarding, and companionship.

Many dog bite incidents are a result of the owners’ improper care and management of their dogs. Factors such as lack of proper training, socialization, and supervision can contribute to a dog’s aggressive or fear-based behavior, which can lead to dog bite incidents.  Some owners may not provide their dogs with proper exercise, socialization, and mental stimulation, which can lead to behavioral issues such as aggression or destructive behavior. Owners should also be aware of the signs of aggressive behavior in their dogs and take steps to address any issues that arise. This may include seeking professional help from a trainer or behaviorist or supervising the dog around other people and animals.

Proper care and management also include providing a safe and comfortable environment for the dog, providing regular veterinary care, and ensuring that the dog is fed and exercised properly.  It’s important for dog owners to understand that owning a dog is a big responsibility and that proper care and management is essential to prevent dog bite incidents and to ensure the well-being of their dog.

Adopting a dog is a big responsibility and requires careful consideration to ensure that the dog is the right fit for you and your lifestyle. Before adopting a dog, it’s important to consider factors such as the dog’s size, energy level, grooming needs, and temperament. It’s also important to consider the costs associated with owning a dog, such as food, veterinary care, and grooming expenses. Additionally, it’s important to consider the amount of time and effort you are willing to put into training and caring for a dog, as well as how well the dog will fit into your current living situation. Continue reading

As Chicago personal injury attorneys who have handled many dog bite cases, we have seen the serious consequences of  dog bites.  Dog bites should always be considered serious if the skin is punctured due to the potential for infection.  If you have been bitten by a dog, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if the bite appears to be minor. The CDC warns that dog bites can result in life-threatening infections, often caused by the Capnocytophagia bacteria, that can cause serious complications.  According to the CDC, the infection can cause “a heart attack, kidney failure, and gangrene. Some people may need to have fingers, toes, or even limbs amputated because of complications from severe infection.”

If you have been bitten by a dog, there are a few steps you can take to protect your rights and seek compensation for your injuries:

1. Get medical treatment: Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if the bite appears to be minor.

What does a normal dog do in Chicago?

A normal Chicago dog

The Chicago personal injuries attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer follow all published court decisions discussing the Animal Control Act because we have many dog bite injuries victims.  Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, one can recover damages for personal injuries from a dog attack only if the dog acted out without provocation. Provocation is measured through the eyes of a “reasonable dog” and the question is whether a normal dog would have attacked the plaintiff.  Kirkham v. Will, 311 Ill. App. 3d 787 (2nd Dist. 2003).  It does not matter whether a person believes that their behavior was not provocative.  The question is whether a normal dog would find such conduct provocative.   In the end, humans decide what a normal dog’s reaction would be, and thus the question is whether a reasonable person should know that a normal dog would react to the precipitating event.

The burden to prove lack of provocation is on the dog bite victim. The law does not distinguish between intentional or unintentional provocation: unintentional provocation can provoke a dog.

For example, in one dog bite case, a child accidentally stepped on the tail of the dog.  The court decided that the child provoked the dog.  Nelson v. Lewis, 36 Ill. App. 3d 130 (1976).  The law does not give carte blanche to the dog whenever a normal dog is provoked.  The dog is Continue reading

The Chicago personal injury attorneys at Zneimer & Zneimer often meet with people who had suffered severe dog bite injuries from a dog that lives in a rental place.  Many times a dog had jumped over a low fence or squeezed through a broken door and attacked a passerby. Although blameless for the dog attack, injury victims often find themselves dealing with a dog owner who has neither insurance nor money to pay for the injured person’s mountain of medical bills, disfigurement, pain, lost wages.  In our experience it is rare for a renter to have liability insurance, and most renters do not enjoy wealth sufficient enough to compensate their dog’s victim.

The question then is whether a landlord, a roommate, a property manager can be held responsible when a renter’s dog jumps onto the street because the property was insufficiently secure.  Their liability will depend on the facts.

The Animal Care Act imposes penalties against both the owner of the animal and anyone who places themselves in a position of control akin to an owner.  Under Illinois law merely permitting a dog to be on the rented property is insufficient to establish ownership pursuant to the Act. If a landlord, a roommate, or a property manager cares for the dog, feeds the dog, or otherwise controls the dog at the time of the attack, it is possible to attach liability to them as “owners” under the definition of the Act and reach any insurance they have.  They must be harboring or keeping the animal, which amounts to undertaking to manage, control, or care for the dog as dog owners, in general, are accustomed to doing. Therefore, it is very important to document the instances when third parties cared for the dog because such instances may provide enough support to attach liability. However, if they cannot be held as owners, they cannot be held responsible under the Animal Care Act.

Can they be held liable under a negligence theory if they knew that the dog lived on the property if they knew that the fence was too low or the door insecure, and they had a duty to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition?  Continue reading

In October 2015, a 45-pound dog named Chelsea bit a mailman. “Walking” in a normal dog’s paws, the Illinois Appellate Court determined that the mailman’s action could have provoked Chelsea to bite him, and therefore the mailman could not recover damages from Chelsea’s owners for the dog bite.

The mailman, Mr. Claffey, was delivering the mail in Glencoe, Illinois, when his job brought him to the Huntleys’ home. The Huntleys’ front door had a mail slot and two flaps, one on the outside and one on the inside of the door. A spring kept the inside flap shut. Trying to ensure that the inside flat will not damage the mail, Mr. Claffey stuck his right hand through the mail slot, lifted the inner flap, and used the left hand to insert the mail.

In addition to a mailbox with two flaps, the Huntleys had two dogs, one of which was Chelsea. Prior to sticking his hand through the mail slot, Mr. Claffey knew that the home had dogs, and heard dogs barking before he placed his hand in the mail slot. The mailman’s mailbox activity caught Chelsea’s attention, and the dog sprung into action, and bit the mailman’s right hand. Mr. Claffey managed to pull his hand away from Chelsea’s jaws, but the top of his hand was ripped and painful. Mr. Claffey sued the Huntleys for the dog bite for damages under the Illinois Animal Control Act.

The Illinois Animal Control imposes liability on animal owners if the injured person demonstrates that he or she (1) suffered injuries from the animal; (2) was at a place where he or she had the lawful right to be; (3) conducted himself or herself peaceably; (4) and the attack was without provocation.  The statute reads as follows:

If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby.

510 ILCS 5/16. Continue reading

The Chicago dog bite lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer, receive many calls from personal injury victims of a dog bite. According to the CDC, over 36% of households in the United States own at least one dog.  While dogs can be close friends, sometimes this best friend will bite.  Dog bites often cause painful deep wounds, nerve damages or infection. Children become victims of dog bite more often than adults, and the injuries are more severe. The majority of the injuries occur at home with familiar dogs. As the number of dogs in a household increases, so does the likelihood of being bitten.  According to the CDC, adults “with two or more dogs in the household are five times more likely to be bitten than those living without dogs at home. Among adults, men are more likely than women to be bitten by a dog.”

The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that in 2017 approximately 350,000 people treated at hospital emergency rooms for non-fatal dog-related injuries. Of them approximately 10,600 were children two years old or younger.
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