According to the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are over 4.5 million victims of dog bites ever year. 800,000 of these seek medical attention. The majority of serious injuries associated with dog bites are to children.

Arizona is a strict liability state for injuries caused by dog bites. The owner is generally responsible for any injuries caused by dog bites. In Arizona, dog owners do not get “one free bite” as in many other states. Owners are held strictly liable for injuries caused by the dog’s actions regardless of the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s viciousness.

This means that if the victim did not provoke the dog, then the owner is responsible for all injuries.

Claims against dogs and their owners can be filed for medical treatment, future medical treatment for scarring, psychological counseling, loss of earnings, medications, pain and suffering and future disabilities.

Often times, dog bites occur from pets of family members, friends or neighbors. Many victims are hesitant to file claims in these circumstances because they do not want to make the dog’s owner personally responsible for the financial claim. It is important to note that the damages awarded to victims are usually paid by homeowners insurance, renters insurance, landlord insurance, or commercial insurance. If this type of insurance does not provide the owner with adequate coverage, then the owner may be held personally responsible for the awarded damages. It is up to the victim to determine if the victim wants to pursue the claim and require the owner to be personally responsible for paying the claim. As a client of Ely, Bettini, Ulman & Rosenblatt, the victim is never obligated to make the dog owner personally responsible for paying the award.