Under Georgia law, a person who owns or keeps a vicious or dangerous animal of any kind and who, by careless management or by allowing the animal to go at liberty, causes injury to another person who does not provoke the injury by his own act may be liable in damages to the person so injured. O.C.G.A. ยง 51-2-7 (2010). In proving vicious propensity, it shall be sufficient to show that the animal was required to be at heel or on a leash by an ordinance of a city, county, or consolidated government, and the said animal was at the time of the occurrence not at heel or on a leash. Id. In Fulton County (Atlanta), Georgia, for example, we have a leash law. Therefore, an unleashed animal meets the ‘vicious propensity’ requirement.
In a very sad recent incident, a pair of large family dogs overpowered and viciously mauled a young woman working as a dog sitter in Texas. The mauling resulted in the loss of her nose, lips, ears and portions of her cheeks, requiring a series of reconstructive surgeries. The dogs had not shown signs of aggression to the dog walker before the attack. However, the homeowners had a sign outside their home warning of “crazy dogs.”
Experienced Atlanta Dog Bite Law Firm
With over 30 years of combined experience, the accident and injury team at North Atlanta Injury Law compassionately assists individuals and families following dog bite attacks and other premises liability incidents. We represent clients throughout Georgia. Call (770) 988-4000 or text (404) 477-HELP (4357) for free, confidential advice.