A snippy dog can cost you much more than a lot of embarrassment. In fact, when it comes to your finances, your dog's bite is much worse than his bark.
Dog bites led to a total of nearly $413 million in homeowner liability claims in 2010, according to the Insurance Information Institute based in New York City. The average dog bite claim last year was $26,616. Settlements can include coverage for medical costs, “pain and suffering” and lost wages.
An increase in attorneys specializing in dog bites and higher medical costs are being credited with larger settlements, according to Forbes Magazine. In fact, dog bites represented about one-third of all homeowners’ claims in 2010.
This should be enough to scare most pet owners into making sure their dogs are socialized and under control. But a potential lawsuit is not the only concern. If your dog is deemed dangerous, it could also be difficult to obtain homeowners or renters insurance.
Local and state laws vary regarding dog bites. So always make sure you understand the consequences if your dog lashes out. Some areas might require a biting dog to be quarantined for a certain period of time. This usually happens when a bite causes serious damage.
Think your dog won’t do it? Well, even the sweetest dog can bite if she feels threatened or -- for a variety of reasons – is having a bad day.
Owners of so-called “dangerous breeds” should be especially cautious. Some states are not sympathetic toward any kind of misbehavior, especially by pit bulls. Whether this is right or wrong is not the point. It simply means you must be aware of any potential consequences.
You can avoid your chance of being sued by practicing some basic, time-honored protections.
First, make sure your dog is obedient and properly trained. That way, there is less chance of your dog feeling the need to be dominant. Socializing your dog with people and other pets, especially when young, is another good practice. And if you keep your dog outside, even for short periods, make sure he is in a secure area and cannot escape. Many dogs can easily slip out of a leash or break a chain.
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