Whether you’re wondering what happens if your dog bites someone else or what happens when a dog bites you, animal bite lawyer Paul Galm can help. According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, there are more than 4.5 million instances of dog bites every year. Here are the dog laws you need to understand if you live in Beaverton, Portland, or anywhere in Oregon.
Oregon’s Dog Leash Laws
In the state of Oregon, dogs must be leashed whenever they’re on public property, including parks. In some cases, certain parks will have designated off-leash areas where dogs can roam freely within the fenced area. Additionally, dogs must be properly licensed and up-to-date on their rabies vaccine, which is required for all dogs and cats over the age of four-months-old.
Oregon’s Dog Bite Law
In Oregon, liability is imposed on a dog’s owner if the dog is “a potentially dangerous dog.” Throughout the state, a “potentially dangerous dog” is any dog that does any of the following without provocation:
- Menaces, chases, or displays aggressive behavior toward an individual while not on the owner’s property
- Inflicts physical injury on someone
- Injures or kills a domestic animal while not on the owner’s property
Oregon’s One-Bite Rule
While many states enforce “strict liability” rules for dog bites, the state of Oregon enforces the “one-bite rule.” While dog owners can be sued for economic damages regardless of whether or not the dog has shown previous signs of aggression, negligence can only be proven if the owner had reason to believe the dog might act aggressively.
Dog Bite & Injury Claims
Like all personal injury claims, there’s a strict time frame for how long you have to file a claim. Dog bite lawsuits must be filed against the owner or liable party within two years of the injury date to be viable in the court of law. If you or someone you love was injured by a dog, Portland personal injury attorney Paul Galm can help you file a negligence claim and get the compensation you deserve.