Understanding Missouri’s Dog Bite Laws
Over four million Americans suffer dog bites each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and at least 800,000 of these injuries require medical attention. In Missouri, the law protects those who are bitten by aggressive dogs by allowing dog bite injury victims to hold the dog’s owner accountable for the dog’s actions.
Missouri’s dog bite statute applies to any dog “that bites, without provocation, any person” who is on public property or who is legally on someone else’s private property - including property owned by the dog’s owner. For instance, a dog that bites a person in a public park is covered by the law, and so is a dog that bites a guest in its owner’s home. The Missouri dog bite law applies to any dog that bites a person under these conditions; even if it’s the first time the dog has ever bitten anyone or acted aggressively.
In addition to facing a fine under the dog bite statute, the owner may be held liable for damages related to the injury itself, such as the cost of medical care, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering caused by the dog bite injury. If you or someone you love has suffered a dog bite, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Missouri dog bite attorneys at Page Law. We will examine your case carefully and can help you hold dog owners responsible for their animal’s actions. To schedule a free and confidential case evaluation, call Page Law today at 314-322-8515.
