Dog attacks are a frequent cause of serious injuries and hospital visits in the United States. On the list of top dog breeds involved in fatal attacks in the U.S. is the Siberian Husky. If you get bitten by a husky in Texas, learn what steps to take to protect yourself and your legal rights. It may benefit you to hire a dog bite injury attorney in Texas in some circumstances.
Dog Bite Injury Statistics: Huskies
One study charting dog bite fatalities from 2005 to 2019 found that out of 521 total deaths, 2.7 percent (14 deaths) were inflicted by huskies. In 2019, a husky contributed to one canine-related death, along with seven other dog breeds that also reported one death each. The breeds responsible for the highest percentages in the 15-year period were pit bulls (66.4 percent) and Rottweilers (9.8 percent).
Historically, the husky breed is infrequently involved in fatal dog attacks, but when they do attack, they disproportionately kill infants. Of the deceased victims involved in husky attacks from 2005 to 2019, 65 percent (13 of 20 victims) were infants under one year old and 90 percent (18 of 20) were under the age of five. The only two adult deaths were multi-breed attacks that each involved at least one pit bull.
Stay Calm and Get Help
If you are bitten by a husky, try to remain calm and get to a safe location away from the dog. If the pet owner is present, make sure he or she controls or restrains the animal. Check yourself for injuries, keeping in mind that your adrenaline from the attack could mask pain or other signs of injury in the first few hours.
If the attack constitutes an emergency, call 911 to report it and request immediate assistance. Otherwise, go to the nearest hospital, urgent care center, or your doctor for prompt wound care. All dog bite injuries require professional medical treatment to help prevent infections and diseases, such as rabies.
Collect Information and Evidence
Before you leave the scene of the attack, collect as much information as possible. This includes details about the husky and its owner, including whether the dog is up to date on its shots and vaccinations and the pet owner’s name and contact information. Take photographs of the animal, the scene of the attack, and your injuries. If there were any witnesses, get their information, as well. A dog bite lawyer in Texas will help you gather and organize evidence to build a strong case, ensuring you have the necessary documentation to support your compensation claim.
Report the Bite Incident to the Authorities
State law in Texas requires all animal bites to be reported to the authorities. Contact the local animal control center in your city to report a husky attack. Many Texas cities, including Dallas and Houston, allow dog bite injuries to be reported by calling 311. Reporting a dog bite injury may lead to a mandatory quarantine of the husky to check for rabies.
Explore Your Legal Options with a Texas Dog Bite Attorney
Texas does not have a specific dog bite statute; however, pet owners can be held responsible for injuries and deaths that are inflicted by their dogs under two main legal doctrines:
- The one-bite rule. If the owner of a husky in Texas reasonably should have known about the dog’s vicious propensities (e.g., if the husky had bitten someone previously), this could make the owner strictly liable for a second or subsequent dog bite injury.
- Negligence. If a pet owner is negligent or fails to act with proper care, he or she could be held responsible for a dog bite injury. If a husky was roaming at large outside of your city’s leash laws, for example, the owner could be held accountable for failing to control the animal.
Connect with a lawyer who knows the laws in your area, such as a San Antonio dog bite attorney.
With an experienced Texas dog bite lawyer, explore your legal rights and options after a husky attack. The Texas dog bite lawyers at Hill Law Firm can help you seek justice against a pet owner through tailored legal strategies. Contact us today for a free case review.