On January 24th, Chad McLain of Graves McLain appeared on KTUL’s Good Day Tulsa to discuss the requirements of responsible dog ownership, as well as liability issues that negligent owners could face. Watch the video:
About Dog Ownership
According to current sources, there are approximately 89.7 million dogs in U.S. households. Oklahoma ranks among the top states for dog ownership, as roughly 43% of Oklahoma residents own dogs. Graves McLain recommends dog owners take the following steps to ensure their dogs remain happy, healthy, and well-adjusted:
When Things Go Wrong
If a dog bite or other animal-inflicted injury occurs, report it immediately to Tulsa’s Animal Welfare Department. Whenever possible, confine the animal first and tell them where the animal is.
Provide as accurate a description as possible.
An Animal Welfare Officer will be dispatched to the location to complete a report.
If you are scratched or bitten, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water to guard against the threat of rabies. Call your physician for treatment advice.
Any animal that causes injuries will be impounded and observed for ten days to determine if it is rabid.
Some animals may be impounded at an approved veterinary hospital at the owner’s expense.
Make Sure You’re Covered
In general, an owner is responsible for any damage done by a dog, regardless if the animal has been provoked or not. Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies typically cover an owner if their dog bites or attacks someone at their residence—usually providing between 0,000 and 0,000 in liability coverage.
If you are unable to obtain such coverage through homeowner’s insurance, you may consider taking out a separate policy on your dog in order to protect against liability and medical damages.
We Can Help
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries through the negligent actions of a dog owner, call Graves McLain right away at 918-359-6600. When you call one of our experienced Tulsa, Oklahoma Dog Bite Attorneys, we will speak with you for FREE and determine the best course of action.
We review every detail of your situation at no cost to you—and fight hard to protect your rights.
Trust our team, we are here to help. At Graves McLain, you will never pay an attorney’s fee upfront—and you owe us nothing until we win your case. At Graves McLain, we don’t get paid until you do.
Graves McLain, Serious Lawyers for Serious Injuries
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.
