Imagine you’re taking a peaceful stroll in a neighborhood park, soaking in the beauty of nature. Suddenly, a dog breaks free from its owner and comes charging at you out of the blue. You try to stay calm and not escalate things, but it ends up biting your leg, causing pain and a bit of panic. This unexpected situation leaves you with physical injuries and many questions on how to proceed.
How do you proceed? Are you or the owner liable for the attack? Who will pay for your medical costs? These are all reasonable questions to have after being bitten by a dog. However, to make sure you are physically and legally safe after a dog bite, it is important to arm yourself with the knowledge you need to understand what you should do after a severe injury from a dog bite.
In this blog post, we will discuss the most frequently asked questions about dog bites in PA, dog bite liability laws, and other questions you may have about being a dog bite victim. In addition to questions about Pennsylvania dog bite laws, we’ll also discuss liability, if you need to call your insurance company, and how to document medical treatment after being bitten by a dangerous dog.
Highlights:
- In Pennsylvania, dog bite incidents are governed by a mix of state laws and local regulations
- The Commonwealth’s law holds dog owners accountable for damages if their dog injures someone, regardless of the animal’s past behavior or the owner’s knowledge
- The “one-bite” rule is not applicable in Pennsylvania
- In cases where a dog has shown previous aggression or the dog’s dangerous propensities have been officially labeled dangerous, owners may face stricter penalties
- If bitten, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention and report the incident to the appropriate authorities
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