Hamilton, Ohio Dog Bite Lawyers
There are a large number of people in the state of Ohio who enjoy dogs. While most dogs are friendly, there are some dogs that attack and bite innocent victims. The laws that apply when dogs attack people in Ohio can be particularly complicated. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite attack, it is critical to obtain the assistance of our seasoned dog bite lawyers in Hamilton who can help you obtain the compensation you need from the parties responsible.
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Statistics Regarding Dog Bite Attacks
As of the most recent data available, Butler County, Ohio, is actively monitoring and managing dog bite incidents and dangerous dog designations.
Dangerous Dog Designations in Butler County
- There are currently 87 dogs designated as dangerous within the county.
- Of these, 35 are pit bulls or pit bull mixes.
- The cities with the highest numbers of dangerous dogs are:
- Hamilton: 39 dogs
- Middletown: 28 dogs
- Hamilton: 39 dogs
These figures underscore the state’s efforts to identify and monitor potentially dangerous animals to safeguard residents and mail carriers.
Notable Incident Highlighting Ongoing Concerns
In April 2024, a significant incident occurred when a 5-year-old girl was attacked by a pit bull in Hamilton. The dog had previously been designated as dangerous following an earlier bite incident. This attack resulted in serious injuries to the child and led to the dog’s euthanasia. Such incidents highlight the importance of vigilant monitoring and enforcement of regulations concerning dangerous dogs.
Statewide Dog Bite Statistics
While specific county-level statistics for dog bites are limited, statewide data provides context:
- Between 2013 and 2017, Ohio reported 64,735 dog bites.
- In 2023, Ohio ranked third nationally for dog bite incidents involving postal workers, with 359 reported cases, marking a 15% increase from the previous year.
Reporting and Legal Framework
Ohio law mandates that any dog bite must be reported to the local health commissioner within 24 hours. Local health districts are then required to submit annual summaries of these incidents to the Ohio Department of Health by March 1st of the following year. Ohio Laws
For the most current and detailed statistics on dog bites in Butler County, you may contact the Butler County General Health District or the Butler County Dog Warden’s Office.
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Which Dog Breeds Bite the Most in Ohio?
Any dog can be unpredictable, but statistics reveal that some types of dogs are more dangerous than others. Even though a breed might be viewed as dangerous, however, there are still many dogs within that breed with sweet dispositions. That said, it is helpful to know the types of dogs around which to be especially cautious. Each year, the Center for Disease Control publishes a list of statistics related to dog bites that occur in the United States. Some of the dog breeds that attack or bite the most include:
- Australian Shepherds
- Bulldogs
- Bull terriers
- Chihuahuas
- Cocker spaniels
- German shepherds
- Jack Russell terriers
- Lhasa apsos
- Papillon
- Pekingese
- Pitbulls
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Common Factors Involved in Ohio Dog Bites & Attacks
When dog attacks occur in Ohio, over 80% of these accidents involve some common factors, which include:
- The dog’s owner failed to neuter or spray the animal
- The dog was abused or neglected to some degree
- No able-bodied person could intervene
- The victim had no relationship with the animal
- The victim was compromised by age or physical condition
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Dog Bites and Ohio Law
The state of Ohio follows strict liability laws when it comes to dog bites, which means that if a dog attacks a person, the dog’s owner is responsible for the resulting damages and injuries. These laws do not require a dog to be deemed dangerous prior to the incident. Not only do state laws come into play when dog attacks and bites occur in Ohio, there are also numerous city ordinances regarding dog attacks throughout the state. For example, 24 cities in Ohio, including Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Toledo, either restrict or prohibit pitbull ownership. Other cities like Akron and Brook Park prohibit American bulldogs.
The “Dangerous Dog” Classification in Ohio
Ohio law states that a dog that attacks or bites a person must be registered as a “dangerous dog,” and will then be subject to various restrictions. For example, these dogs must with the exception of hunting be kept on a leash that is less than six feet long. The dog must also be kept in a confined and locked area like a cage or yard. Additionally, dangerous dogs must wear tags designating them as such. A person who fails three time to control a dangerous dog must obtain liability insurance in case the animal hurts someone.
Ohio Landlords and Liability for Dog Bites
Landlords in Ohio are generally not liable for actions of a tenant’s dogs. In situations in which the dog owner owns the property where the attack occurred, homeowner’s insurance will often cover things like medical bills as well as other damages. Tenants, however, often lack renters’ insurance to pay for injuries and other damage caused by dog attacks. Consequently, many victims of dog attacks involving animals owned by tenants pursue various legal strategies to hold landlords accountable.
Some of the most common situations in which Ohio landlords can be found liable for an attack include when landlords harbor, keep, or own a dog. Ohio law considers a person to harbor a dog when that individual controls the location where the dog lives. Landlords can also be found liable for a dog attack if they directly controlled the animal at the time the attack occurred.
A Special Note on Dog Bites and Children
Children are at an elevated risk of being seriously injured by dog attacks. There are some critical strategies that can help keep children safe, however. One of the best places to begin is by teaching children to always ask for permission from a dog’s owner or controller before petting the animal, especially if the child does not know the dog. It is also a great idea to teach children how to be alert to the body language of dogs, particularly noticing when the animal is either uncomfortable or threatened.
Common Defenses from Dog Bite Lawyers
There are a variety of defenses that can be raised after a dog bite to prevent a person from obtaining compensation for the resulting damages. Some of these defenses include that the victim was trespassing on the dog owner’s property, the victim was committing a crime on the dog owner’s property, the victim was committing a crime against another individual, or the victim was abusing or teasing the dog on the dog owner’s property. Dog bite victims who live with the person who owns the dog in question may also experience difficulty in obtaining compensation.
Speak With our Seasoned Dog Bite Lawyers in Hamilton, Ohio
It is not uncommon for the owners of vicious dogs to create obstacles for attack victims to receive compensation. Many times, these owners even have difficulty admitting that their dogs have a violent nature. Other times, the dog’s owner does want to admit liability for the accident. If you or a loved one is impacted by a dog bite or attack, do not hesitate to obtain the assistance of our dog bite lawyers in Hamilton, who can make sure that you obtain the compensation that you deserve. Speak to the personal injury attorneys at Kruger & Hodges today to make sure that you are able to pursue the compensation to which you are entitled.
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