Will the Dog that Bit me be Put Down?

Sometimes people are hesitant to contact a Utah dog bite lawyer after a dog has bitten them because they do not want the dog to be “put down.” Other times, people might really want a dog that attacked them to be put down. Perhaps they are concerned that it will happen again? It all depends on the particular victim, and the circumstances surrounding the dog bite. The reality is, hiring a lawyer will neither ensure that a dog is put down, nor will it ensure that the dog is not put down. An experienced Utah dog bite lawyer can help with that matter, and can educate you on the relevant law, but the lawyer’s primary concern will be for the welfare of the injured victim, not the violent dog.

Utah Dog Bite Lawyer – What Happens to the Dog?

Many dog owners voluntarily choose to put down their own dogs after the dig bites and injures another person or dog. Other owners refuse to do so.

If the dog has never before shown signs of aggression, and the bite was quite minor, it is completely understandable that no owner would want to have to put their dog down. On the other hand, if the dog has shown a propensity of repeated violence, or the bite was particularly bad, it may be reasonable to have the dog put down to prevent future injuries to others. If a dog has bitten your child, or routinely made you afraid for your safety, you may ask the owner to have the dog put down, but ultimately it will be the owner’s decision unless the law says otherwise.

In the State of Utah, the law on whether or not a vicious dog can be forcibly put down varies from city to city. In St. George, Utah, the city municipal code is quite explicit on when a dog will be forcibly taken and put down by animal control. In St. George, Utah, any dog that has been the subject of three documented attacked will be forcibly taken and put down. That is yet another reason that all dog bite incidents should be reported to animal control. A dog can also be put down if it has shown a violent propensity and its owner has shown that he or she is unable to control the animal. For example, if a dangerous dog is routinely spotted freely roaming a neighborhood, and the owner cannot be discovered through reasonable investigation, the dog will be put down.

Will The Dog That Bit me be Put Down – Dog Bite Lawyer

The reason for these laws is that a particularly vicious dog, and a vicious dog that cannot be controlled by its owner are both threats to public safety. Dogs are supposed to be man’s best friend. Just like a best friend that is human, a dog can make a mistake. Sometimes they can be forgiven. It could be a fluke. That dog might be very kind 99% of the time. However, once people are becoming afraid of taking a walk around their own neighborhood because they fear that a dog will attack them, that dog should probably go. An angry dog, or even worse, a group of angry dogs can cause very serious injuries to people and to other dogs in an extremely short amount of time. There is very little time to react once a dog attack has begun. Dogs are very fast, and they are equipped with an innate ability to defend themselves.

Even when a dog has proven to be hostile, it may remain a very difficult decision to end the dog’s life. However, when contrasted with the high risk of causing serious injury or death to anther person, especially in the case of a child, that decision can become a bit of a no-brainer. If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog and your are curious about whether or not the dog should be put down, contact an experienced dog-bite lawyer in Utah right away.

This article is offered only for general information and educational purposes. It is not offered as and does not constitute legal advice or legal opinion. You should not act or rely on any information contained in this article without first seeking the advice of an attorney.