Service dogs provide invaluable support and assistance to people with disabilities. Typically, service dogs are highly trained and well-behaved. However, in rare cases, service dogs can bite under triggering circumstances. A pet falsely presented as a service dog could also attack. Take the right steps to protect yourself if you get bitten by a service dog in Texas. Make sure to speak with a Dallas dog bite injury attorney if you were injured.
How Are Dog Bites by Service Animals Unique?
Under state and federal disability laws, the owners of service dogs are permitted to bring them into locations that ordinary pets cannot enter, such as restaurants, hotels, public transportation, theaters and amusement parks. No-pet rules in rental properties also do not apply to service animals.
However, Texas law also protects the public against potentially dangerous service dogs. The owner of the dog is responsible for ensuring the safety of others in terms of bite injuries. If the dog does cause harm or damage, the person with the disability can be held liable (financially responsible) for the victim’s bills and losses.
If an investigation finds that the service dog that bit you was actually not a properly trained service animal but one falsely presented as one by the owner, the pet owner could face penalties such as a fine of up to $300 and mandatory community service (typically for an organization that specifically serves individuals with disabilities).
Get Medical Care
Your first action after getting bitten by a service dog in Texas should be to get medical care. Go to the nearest hospital or, in an emergency, call 911 to request paramedics. Dog bite injuries come with various health and safety risks, including the possibility of contracting dog-borne diseases such as rabies, as well as serious infections from bacteria present in a dog’s mouth.
Document the Situation
Do your best to document the scene of the dog attack before you leave. Do this by gathering the pet owner’s information, taking photos of the scene and your injuries, writing down eyewitness names and phone numbers, and looking for possible video footage. Write down a description of what happened while the event is still clear in your mind.
Report the Dog Attack
Contact your local animal control authority to report the dog bite injury. This is important for documenting the dog’s bite history, which can be used in the future to prove the pet owner’s liability for a victim’s losses. If you suspect service dog fraud, you can call your local police non-emergency number to report the violation.
Learn Your Rights
Just because a dog is a service animal does not mean you do not have the right to seek financial compensation if the dog bites and injures you. In Texas, dog bite victims have the right to seek financial compensation from pet owners if the owners knew or reasonably should have known of a dog’s propensity to bite – or if the owner was negligent. Negligence refers to a lack of proper care, such as falsely representing a pet as a service dog.
Hire a Dog Bite Injury Attorney
Like any dog, service dogs have the potential to inflict serious injuries if they decide to attack. If you or a loved one was harmed by a service dog in Texas, consult with a dog bite injury attorney to learn about your legal rights and options. You may be eligible for financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more from the pet owner or another party. For a free service dog injury case review in San Antonio, contact Hill Law Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers.