Given the rise in dog owners, especially in the city limits, it is no surprise that dog bite injuries in Minnesota have been on a rise since the late nineties. In fact, according to the Minnesota Department of Health, dog bite injuries have increased by 40% between 1998 and 2005. Some state congressional members have even taken it as far as banning specific breeds, such as Akitas, Chow-Chows, Rottweilers, etc. Some instances of dog bite injuries that occurred in 2007 include:

March 26: A 37-year-old woman nearly dies after a pit bull and an American bulldog attack her at her neighbor’s Minneapolis home.

April 13: An 8-year-old Minneapolis boy on his way to school is mauled by an Akita.

April 20: A 4-year-old girl suffers severe head lacerations after she is attacked by a pit bull in Minneapolis.

April 24: A 59-year-old, attempting to serve legal papers in St. Paul, is attacked and severely injured by 2 pit bulls.

June 8: An 11-year-old girl riding a small motor scooter with a child on the back is attacked and severely mauled by a pit bull in St. Paul.

June 9: A 5-year-old girl is bitten and knocked to the ground by a pit bull in St. Paul.

Millions of Minnesotans gaze into their television sets (or really their LCD or Plasma screens) every evening, watching their favorite evening news and hear about the stories mentioned above. Of course, these same individuals think to themselves, “That’s a pity, but that would never happen to anyone I know.” Furthermore, many people feel that ferocious dogs are associated with only a few select breeds (e.g., pit bulls). Despite these false misconceptions, the truth is, it can be YOU or someone you know who becomes a victim of a dog bite. And no, these ill-fated occurrences are not the fruit of only ferocious pit bulls, but rather, any dog in your neighborhood (yes, even that cute lil’ fluffy dog your neighbor lets roam around on his front yard).

Under Minnesota Statute 347.22, “if a dog, without provocation, attacks or injures any person who is acting peaceably in any place where the person may lawfully be, the owner of the dog is liable in damages to the person so attacked or injured to the full amount of the injury sustained. The term “owner” includes any person harboring or keeping a dog but the owner shall be primarily liable. The term “dog” includes both male and female of the canine species.” Based on the language of this law, Minnesotans who are victims of dog bite injuries have statutory protection and should understand their rights when finding a suitable resolution.

DISCLAIMER: The content provided is not intended to be construed as legal advice. If you have any questions or concerns, based on your factual circumstances, please contact Richard Y. Cheng, Esq. with Pearson, Randall, Schumacher & LaBore, P.A. (612) 767-7500 or rcheng@prslegal.com

For more information see: Dog Bite & Attack News