How Does Massachusetts Law Handle Dog Bites?
Dogs usually have a reason for biting. Those reasons may not make sense to us, but it is not always that the animal is vicious and seeking someone to bite. A dog may bite when it is provoked. Provoking a dog includes hitting the dog or engaging in an action that makes the animal feel threatened. A dog that is sick or does not want to be bothered may bite. Dogs may bite to protect puppies, personal space, or property. Some dogs bite because they are being playful. Regardless of the reason a dog bites, the dog may be dangerous. In the case of vicious dogs, bites often lead to serious injury or death.
If you live in Massachusetts and have been bitten by a dog or feel threatened by a dog that is neglected because the owner allows the animal to run free, you may wonder how Massachusetts law handles dog bites, which also means that you should contact a personal injury settlement .
What the Law Says
The Massachusetts dog bite statute can be found in Massachusetts General Laws Part I, Title XX, Chapter 140, Section 155. The statute indicates that when a dog bites, the owner can be held liable. Whenever a dog causes personal injury or property damage, the owner can be held liable. Even if the dog has never shown signs of aggression prior to the biting episode, the owner can still be liable for damages caused by the dog. Not only is biting included in this statute, the statute says if a dog does any damage to a person’s body, the owner can be held liable. For example, when an aggressive dog causes a person to fall and the individual experiences injury because of the dog’s actions, the owner is liable.