DOG BITES AREN’T ALWAYS DOG BITES: St. Paul, Minnesota Personal Injury Attorneys explain

Personal Injury Attorney in St. Paul Discusses Dog Bites

Agressive Dogs Don't Have To Bite To Injure

True or False:  In Minnesota you can bring a personal injury claim under the dog bite statute even if you were not bitten by a dog. 

 

 TRUE. 

 

 Surprised?  

 

Under Minnesota Statute 347.22, “if a dog, without provocation, attacks or injures any person who is acting peaceably in any place where the owner 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.”

Everyone automatically assumes that in order to be injured by a dog, you have to have sustained a bite.  This is not the case.  Several years ago, I was involved in a case where the victim suffered a knee injury while grilling a steak.  When the victim took the steak off the grill, the dog—seeing an opportunity that just could not be missed—lunged for the steak.  In the frenzy, the dog knocked the victim over.  Even though the victim was not bitten, she had the right to recover under the “dog bite” statute because she was injured by a dog. 

Don’t write off your injury case just because you were not bitten by the dog.  Make sure you know your rights.  The personal injury attorneys at Champion Law, LLC  are experienced in handling these types of cases and encourage you to call them for a free consultation.

Kimberly G. Behm

Attorney at Law
Champion Law LLC
3252 Rice Street
St. Paul, MN  55126
651-766-5886
f – 651-766-5235 

kim@champion-law.com  

www.champion-law.com