Dog bites lawyers Normal Illinois | How You Can Defend Against a Dog Bite Claim

In Illinois, dog and animal attacks are subject to strict liability principles. Put simply, the pet owner can be held liable for the pet’s attack if the attack is causally linked to your injury. If you believe you have a legal claim, our dog bites lawyers Normal Illinois will help you pursue justice. At Kelly & Castagna, our legal team has the experience and passion to advocate for you. Call 309-820-0600 for a free consultation. 

In these types of personal injury cases, there are defenses available to dog owners. This doesn’t mean that dog owners should be reckless or negligent when it comes to their animals. It just means that if they do make a mistake, they may not be responsible. Dog bites are very serious incidents and there are many reasons why dogs might bite someone unexpectedly. Take the proper precautions with your pet and contact Kelly & Castagna for legal help. Our dog bites lawyers Normal Illinois are here to help. 

The dog was provoked

If there was a dog bite attack, your best defense may be to claim the dog was provoked. If the victim of the attack provoked the dog, especially if they did so intentionally, the owner may be able to use this as a legal defense against a lawsuit and may not be held liable. 

For example, when a victim was teasing or otherwise abusing the dog, or did something to threaten the property owner, the owner then may not be liable for the injuries suffered. To fully understand your options and the legal arguments, contact our dog bites lawyers Normal Illinois today. 

Whether you actually provoked the animal is a factual question that will depend on the unique circumstances surrounding the attack. For instance, if the owner told you that their dog does not like being pet or should be left alone, then the court might find that you provoked the dog if you ignored the owner’s warning and chose to pet the dog anyway.

Trespassing 

Trespassing is a complete defense to liability. Criminal trespass to real property happens two basic ways: when someone enters after being warned not to, or when someone won’t leave after being asked. The second type happens when someone stays on someone else’s property after being told to leave.

Pet owners are not liable for attacks if the injured plaintiff was not lawfully on the property. For example, if you pass through a neighbor’s backyard without permission and are subsequently attacked by his guard dog, you cannot sue and recover damages, as you were trespassing at the time of the attack. 

It’s important to note that there are some situations in which the victim may be found to have been trespassing, or at least in a situation where they were not expressly invited onto the property. If a dog owner can prove that the victim was trespassing on their property, they might not be liable for any injury caused by their dog. In addition, if you were trying to steal something from someone else’s home or car, you may be responsible for your injuries if your alleged theft resulted in an attack by their pet. Our dog bites lawyers Normal Illinois can help you understand the nuance of these laws and provide you with your best legal options.