While there are dog bite laws in place across many states, generally dogs are not the only animals that a person may own. As a result it is not uncommon for some of these creatures to attack others in the home, in public or in a private controlled settings that may remain protected in the usual circumstances.

In most states they do not differentiate what animal attacked the person, as long as the person has suffered an injury as a result of an aggressive animal the state may hold the owner or person keeping the creature to be liable for damages. It is not uncommon for possible injuries to the person to include additional complications such as infections, serious illnesses with a transmittable disease and disfigurement, if the animal does not stop at a simple bite. As a result it is of the utmost importance to contact a lawyer immediately in order to determine whether or not you have a valid case before attempting to pursue a personal injury or animal attack claim. The lawyer will then conduct an investigation in order to check the local and state laws to see if the claim may proceed.

“In most cases people are concerned as to the type of animal that attacked them, however, the reality is that the state may still hold someone responsible for the attack no matter what type of animal attacks the victim. In fact in certain situations and with specific legal theories it is possible for liability to extend past the owner of the animal to another person,” one attorney commented. One article went so far as to state, “Anyone deemed as a harborer or keeper of the animal could face fault for the attack. This may involve someone that watches over the animal for an extended amount of time, a person that lives in the home or another person that walks the animal. Depending on the state, the owner may share the responsibility, or the harborer or keeper may face full liability.”

In many states strict liability is adhered to when it comes to dog bites however, the state of Alaska follows the one bite rule and because Alaska does not have a specific law on animal bites the standard law of negligence is used in all animal bite cases. However, an owner is liable if he failed to keep a potential dangerous animal or dog away from the public and in this case strict liability applies. The victim must prove that the owner had prior knowledge of the animal’s dangerous potential and all animal bite cases are held to the standard.

It must be noted that the general rule is the owner must control his or her animal and if he or she fails to do so and this can be proven by the victim’s attorney, then the owner is liable for the bite. Bite cases in Alaska are handled by personal injury attorneys; if you have been injured in a dog bite incident contact a law firm of renowned professionals who have experience handling dog bite injuries and who can provide the best accident claims advice in Alaska.