They do not call dogs man’s best friend for no reason, and Tulsa is a dog-friendly city. Tulsa, however, has ongoing problems with dog owners who fail to effectively address the safety of others, and serious dog bite incidents are often the result. The State of Oklahoma enforces what’s known as strict liability when it comes to dog bites, which means that dog owners shoulder complete responsibility for unprovoked bites. This is regardless of whether the dog demonstrated aggression in the past. Our experienced Tulsa dog bite law lawyers at ASH LAW are standing by to help.
Oklahoma’s Dog Bite Laws
Oklahoma’s dog bite laws hold dog owners responsible for related damages when their pets bite or injure anyone who has the legal right to be on the property in question, whether public or private. While some states adopt some version of the so-called one-bite law, which looks for prior acts of aggression, Oklahoma is not among them.
The dog’s prior behavior or intent in relation to the incident in question has no bearing on the dog owner’s liability. If their dog bites and injures someone else, the owner can be held responsible for all the following losses:
- The victim’s medical expenses, which may include surgical repair and ongoing costs
- The victim’s lost income and any losses that relate to earning capacity
- The victim’s physical pain and emotional upset, which can be considerable in the wake of a terrifying dog attack
This responsibility increases in response to a second attack. If a dog has bitten or otherwise injured someone in the past and proceeds to repeat the dangerous behavior, the owner can face a misdemeanor charge that comes with serious fines.
The City Of Tulsa Implements Its Own Ordinances
Tulsa has its own ordinances related to animal control on the books, and they work in conjunction with Oklahoma’s dog bite laws. These include that, whenever a dog is off its owner’s property, it must be on a physical leash that is controlled by someone who is capable of safely handling the responsibility.
Further, when a dog is on private property, it must be safely contained by either a fence, tether, or building. Finally, if Tulsa Animal Welfare labels a dog who has engaged in an unprovoked attack as either dangerous or vicious, stricter safety rules can be implemented. These include requiring additional insurance as well as specialized enclosures.
Reach Out To Our Experienced Tulsa Dog Bite Attorneys For The Help You Need
Our dedicated dog bite lawyers at ASH LAW take great pride in the work we do for clients throughout Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma. And we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to champion your rights in support of your rightful compensation. Dog bites can lead to serious losses, which makes it important to contact us online or give our firm a call at 918-599-0001 for more information about what we can do to help you today.
