As dog ownership continues to rise in Minnesota, so does the potential for dog bite incidents. These unfortunate events may result in serious injuries, both physical and emotional, for the victim. In such cases, it is crucial to understand the laws and regulations surrounding dog bite liability in Minnesota.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite incident, it is important to understand your rights and seek legal guidance. This is where the experienced dog bite lawyers from Knutson + Casey may help. Our team is well-versed in Minnesota’s dog bite laws and may provide you with the necessary support and guidance to navigate the legal process.
Table of Contents
In Minnesota, the dog bite laws are designed to protect the victim, so if you’ve been bitten or injured by a dog, the law is on your side. Specifically, these laws allow victims to receive compensation not only for the immediate injuries from the dog bite but also for any ongoing illnesses or injuries that result from the incident.
Minnesota Statute 347.22 outlines the responsibilities of dog owners clearly, stating, “If a dog, without provocation, attacks or injures any person who is acting peaceably in any place where the person may lawfully be, the owner of the dog is liable in damages to the person so attacked or injured to the full amount of the injury sustained.”
In Minnesota, determining liability in a dog bite incident isn’t just limited to the dog’s owner. Anyone who was in charge of the dog at the time of the incident, such as a person walking, pet-sitting, or boarding the dog, may also be held responsible. This broad approach ensures victims have a clear path to seek compensation, regardless of who was caring for the dog when the bite occurred.
Minnesota’s dog bite laws stand out because they do not provide exemptions based on a dog’s past behavior. This means that even if a dog has never shown aggression or bitten someone before, the person responsible for the dog at the time of the incident may still be held accountable for any injuries caused.
An important aspect of these cases revolves around negligence. Successfully demonstrating negligence on the part of the dog’s caretaker may significantly bolster a victim’s case. Since Minnesota law tends to favor the bite victim, proving the caretaker’s negligence is often more straightforward than proving negligence on the part of the victim. This alignment with the victim’s rights underscores the state’s commitment to ensuring those injured by dog bites are fairly compensated and supported through their recovery process.
In the eyes of the law, a dog’s natural instincts to lash out cannot simply be chalked up to nature when it comes to biting a human. One of the scant defenses a dog owner in Minnesota might have is if the dog was provoked into biting. Importantly, provocation doesn’t only mean the dog was being physically harmed or attacked – it could also refer to situations where someone’s actions, even if not intended to harm, lead the dog to bite in what it perceives as self-defense.
For instance, something as inadvertent as stepping on a dog’s tail could be seen as provocation. Similarly, if a person knowingly handles a dog that is already in pain from an injury and the dog bites in reaction, this might be considered provocation. To prove this, two things might be demonstrated: first, that the person was aware of the dog’s injury yet acted recklessly, and second, that the dog was simply acting to protect itself from what it perceived as a deliberate threat or harm. In these cases, what might seem like “accidental” provocation on the person’s part could be viewed as deliberate, shifting the fault away from the dog and its owner.
If you’ve experienced a dog bite injury, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. Knutson + Casey is here to offer expert legal guidance and support. With a dedicated team that understands the complexities of dog bite laws in Minnesota, we’re committed to ensuring you receive the compensation and justice you deserve.
Our attorneys are just a phone call away. Reach out to us in Mankato at (507) 344-8888 or in Minneapolis at (763) 259-3642. Alternatively, you may fill out our contact form for a prompt response. Let us help you through this challenging time.