paul-main-pic

Contact Paul

Testimonials

“Paul went above and beyond for us after my husband was injured in an accident. He was thorough, attentive to all aspects of the case, and kept us informed of all of our options.” – Jill E.

“I felt comfortable with him from the start and still call him today whenever I have a legal question.” – Larry D.

Home / Blog / Understanding Oregon Dog Laws and How They Apply to Dog Bites

Understanding Oregon Dog Laws and How They Apply to Dog Bites

September 24, 2018

 

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.

Free Consultation

Reach out to us to schedule today!

Contact Us Anytime forVictim and Personal Injury Law

Paul’s clients rate his service as superb, and while he has won millions for those clients, he is set apart by his personal approach. Paul is a thoughtful, dedicated lawyer who shows genuine care about the people he represents, which is why the majority of his cases are word of mouth referrals from former clients. Call Paul any time for a free consultation – he promises that when you hang up the phone you will feel like you are in good, loyal hands. Once you are Paul’s client, you are a client for life.

Paul’s clients rate his service as superb, and while he has won millions for those clients, he is set apart by his personal approach. Paul is a thoughtful, dedicated lawyer who shows genuine care about the people he represents, which is why the majority of his cases are word of mouth referrals from former clients. Call Paul any time for a free consultation – he promises that when you hang up the phone you will feel like you are in good, loyal hands. Once you are Paul’s client, you are a client for life.