YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE NEW JERSEY DOG BITE LAWS
A dog is man’s best friend…most of the time. Unfortunately, more and more dog owners are breeding and training their canines to be aggressive. When they can control those animals, it’s not a problem. But when they can’t…and there seem to be more and more instances where innocent citizens (often children) have been seriously injured by domestic animals…the consequences can be devastating.
If you or someone you love has been hurt by someone else’s dog or domestic animal, the attorneys at the Law Offices of Mallon & Tranger can help. Contact us online or call our office at 732-702-0333 to schedule a free initial consultation.
NEW JERSEY’S DOG BITE LAW
Like most states, New Jersey imposes strict liability on dog owners for injuries to other people. Unlike most personal injury claims, dog bite claims in New Jersey do not require a showing of fault. All you need to prove to recover damages is that
- The person you seek damages from owned the dog, and
- The dog bit or attacked you, causing injury, and
- You were in a public place or were not trespassing on the defendant’s property at the time of the attack
There is no requirement that you demonstrate that the dog had a prior history of aggressive behavior or violence, or that the dog had any prior inclination toward aggressive behavior. If you were on the defendant’s property without permission at the time of the attack, your right to recover will depend on whether the trespass was with criminal intent. If the trespass was inadvertent, you still have a right to damages. If, however, you entered the defendant’s property knowingly, or with intent to commit a criminal act, the defendant may assert criminal trespass as a defense to liability.
CONTACT MALLON & TRANGER
We offer a free initial consultation to anyone in New Jersey who has been bitten or mauled by a dog. For a meeting, contact us online or call us at 732-702-0333 for an appointment. We have offices in Freehold and Point Pleasant.
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