Every year, almost 5 million people are bitten by dogs…., and most of those bitten are children, followed by senior citizens. Preventing dog bites is everyone’s responsibility, and simple measures can be very effective.
Please keep in mind that any dog can bite. From the smallest to the largest, even the friendliest, cute, and easy-going dogs might bite if provoked. Most dog bites are from a dog known to the person—their pet, a neighbor’s, or a friend’s.
It has long been considered that dogs are a man’s best friend, leading to dogs being considered friendly, loving family members. According to an article presented in May 2016 by the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) titled ‘Dog Bit Liability,’ it is estimated that about 77.8 million dogs are owned as pets in the United States according to a 2015/2016 survey carried out by the American Products Association. It is also estimated that about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, with about 885,000 requiring medical attention for these injuries, half of which are estimated to be children, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2011, it was estimated that dog bites accounted for over one-third of all homeowner’s insurance liability claims, costing up to about $479 million, with State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, the most prominent writer of homeowners’ insurance in the U.S., paying out more than $109 million as a result of its nearly 3,800 dog bite claims in 2011 alone.
It is, therefore, the owner’s responsibility to ensure they can train and control their dogs. Dog owners should also be aware that they are solely responsible for the actions of their dogs and are subject to liabilities in the event of any attacks, bites, or property damage. In most states in the U.S., dog owners are free of liabilities resulting from losses incurred by trespassers attacked and injured by dogs.
New Hampshire’s “strict liability” dog bite law holds dog owners responsible for injuries their dogs inflict in various situations. The law is about canine-inflicted injuries more favorable to victims than most other states. It covers any cause of damage by a dog and applies to injuries to not only humans but also any property, including another dog or cat.
To help protect yourself from all liabilities resulting from dog ownership, dog owners must take the necessary precautions to ensure additional costs are not incurred. The ASPA has safety tips for both parents and pet parents, http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-bite-prevention and the DMVA also has helpful information www.avma.org/public/Pages/Dog-Bite-Prevention.aspx.
Apart from taking these precautions, it is also recommended that dog owners ensure they have vaccinated their dogs, have a rabies certificate, and are registered as dog owners are required by New Hampshire law.
466:1-a Vaccination Required.
Before a license is issued under the provisions of this subdivision, the owner or keeper of a dog shall furnish to the clerk verification from a licensed veterinarian that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies by the provisions of RSA 436. Persons applying for a group license under RSA 466:6 shall also furnish the clerk verification from a licensed veterinarian that the dogs have been vaccinated against rabies by RSA 436.
Notwithstanding paragraph I, if a valid rabies certificate is on file with the clerk by RSA 436:102, the owner shall not be required to produce such verification at the time of licensure.
466:1-b Rabies Certificate.
Upon receipt of a copy of a rabies certificate from a veterinarian according to RSA 436:102, the clerk of the town or city shall send a written notice to the owner or keeper of any unlicensed dog relative to the licensing requirements provided for in RSA 466:1. If the owner or keeper of the unlicensed dog fails to license the dog promptly, the town or city clerk shall notify the local law enforcement officer of a violation of RSA 466:1.
466:1-d Lists of Licensed Dog Owners.
Except as provided in paragraphs II and III and RSA 466:11 and RSA 466:14, no dog registration records, information, or lists shall be sold, rented, transferred, or otherwise made available in whole or in part, in any form or format, directly or indirectly, to another person.
Dog registration records, information, or lists may be made available under a court order or in response to a request from the state, a political subdivision of the state, the federal government, or a law enforcement agency solely for use in official business. The request shall be on a case-by-case basis. Any information, record, or list received under this paragraph shall not be transferred or otherwise made available to anyone else or listed entity not authorized under this paragraph, except as provided in RSA 466:13.
Without otherwise compromising the confidentiality of the files, nothing in this section shall prohibit a body or agency from releasing information relative to health or safety from investigative files on a limited basis to persons whose health or safety may be affected or to a person or agency attempting to provide for the welfare of an animal.
