RSSDangerous Dog Case Provides Study for Orlando Dog Bite Law
A recent finding by animal control officials in Florida’s Lake County shows why dangerous dog laws are necessary to protect the public from injury.
A 3-year-old American bulldog named Goliath has been labeled dangerous by the municipal Animal Service department after biting and injuring a 7-year-old on January 9, according to reports in the local Orlando Sentinel newspaper. This victim was the second person bitten by the dog within three years. The injuries were not as severe as some other local cases but they were significant enough to get the attention of local public officials.
Requirements for a dangerous dog in Lake County include a mandatory muzzle and leash for public outings. When at home, Goliath will need to be secured behind a fence with an additional restraint, and a sign will have to warn all residents that a dangerous dog is in the vicinity.
The owners of a dangerous dog also have to pay one of the highest annual registration fees in the country: a whopping $500 a year.
In the Orlando Sentinel story, Lake County Animal Services Director Marjorie Boyd explained that putting these requirements on owners helps to ensure that dangerous dogs are controlled.
The high costs of dangerous dog registration in Lake County are part of an extensive system for dealing with the liabilities of the many dog bite cases that occur each year in Florida and around the country. However, even high homeowner’s or renter’s insurance is not always enough to stop Florida dog owners from irresponsible negligence that leads to personal injuries to victims in the community.
When dangerous animals do cause personal injury to local residents, Orlando dog bite lawyer firms know how to address the liability of negligent owners and get victims compensated. Skilled legal professionals look at all aspects of the case, including whether dog owners have complied with previous restrictions or registered their animals properly. In many cases, a little research finds that the owners of dangerous dogs or other animals have simply ignored some of the common sense controls legislated by local ordinance or have skirted some of the requirements for public safety as defined in insurance or legal protocols.
Orlando dog bite lawyer James O. Cunningham has a history of successfully obtaining compensation for those injured in dog bite incidents where lax control by owners cause unsafe conditions. If you have been injured by a dog bite, call The Law Offices of James O. Cunningham at 407-425-2000 or toll-free 888-425-2004. A contact form is also available for those who want to use the web to get in touch.
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.