Can someone sue over a dog scratch? A Step-by-Step Guide

by

What About Criminal Liability for Dog Bite Injuries?

Under “dangerous dog laws” in most states (and similar ordinances in many cities and counties), courts may require owners to take special precautions once their animals have injured or threatened someone. The judge may even order that the dog be euthanized if it poses a risk of serious harm. An owner who doesnt cooperate with the restrictions could face criminal penalties.

In rare cases when dogs kill people because of their owners reckless or deliberate actions, authorities may charge the owners with manslaughter or a similar crime.

Sometimes, a state will have a specific criminal law applying to serious dog attacks. Florida, for example, authorizes criminal charges against the owner of a dog that severely injures or kills someone, if the owner knew the animal was dangerous but recklessly ignored the risk (see Fla. Stat. § 767.136).

Civil Liability For Dog Bite Injuries

A dog owner could be liable in a civil lawsuit for a bite or another kind of injury caused by the animal if one (or more) of the following is true:

  • A dog-bite statute applies. Most states have “strict liability dog-bite laws that make owners financially responsible for dog bites (and other injuries in some states), regardless of the owners carelessness or the dogs history.
  • The injured person can prove that the owner knew the dog had a tendency to cause injury. In states without strict liability dog-bite laws, owners might be liable under a principle known as the “one-bite rule,” which makes dog owners liable for injuries if they knew or shouldve known that their dogs were likely to hurt someone.
  • The injured person can prove that the harm occurred because the dog owner was negligent (legalese for unreasonably careless)—for instance, by violating a local leash law or leaving a gate open and allowing the dog to run out and bite the mail carrier.

    • The legal obligations of dog owners and related rules vary (sometimes pretty significantly) from state to state. Get details on the state dog bite laws that could come into play where you live.

    Dog Scratch

    A dog’s nail beds are typically very filthy and can be filled with bacteria. This is primarily because they walk on four feet and dig into various surfaces. That’s why if a dog scratches a person, they have a high possibility of infecting them through the broken skin.

    Dog scratches may seem harmless to some, however, if the skin is broken, it can lead to serious infections. Puncture wounds actually carry the highest risk of severe infection. The aggrieved individual should treat the scratch by applying pressure to the wound, washing the wound with soap and water, using antibiotic ointment, and covering the injured area with a bandage. The victim should monitor their wound for 72 hours. In case of infection, such as increased heat, redness, swelling, pain, or red streaking on the skin, the victim should reach out to a medical expert as soon as possible.

    Similar to bites, dog scratches or scrapes have little to no risk of infection. However, cuts or lacerations have a high risk of spreading infection. If a scratch happens near mucous membranes (eyes or mouth), these can be more critical. Other concerning spots are deep scratches near joints. Wounds that are extremely deep are more prone to infection. Babies, the elderly, and people with decreased immune systems are more likely to develop infections.

    Pet Bites – Information | Dog Bite or Scratch ( Break Skin ) Treatment, Prevention, BholaShola