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What Is the Nevada One Bite Rule
Nevada adheres to a one bite rule which states that a dog owner may not be automatically liable for the FIRST time their dog bites and injures someone, this rule transcends traditional negligence rules.
However, a dog owner could still be held liable for a first-time bite if they knew their dog had a previous history of aggression or was declared dangerous.
In addition, while the one bite rule may prevent dog owners from being held liable for their dog's first attack, victims can still sue and recover damages for dog bite injuries, lost wages, and medical bills, although they will have to prove negligence or that the owner was aware of previous behavior.
If you or a family member is a dog bite victim and seek to bring a personal injury lawsuit, contact an experienced Las Vegas dog bite lawyer today by calling (702) 566-3600.
What Is a Dangerous Dog in Nevada
Nevada laws governing dog bites set a dangerous dog classification for any dog that exhibits aggressive behavior but has not yet caused a serious dog bite injury.
Under Nevada dog bite statute NRS 202.500, a dangerous dog may be any dog that behaved menacingly twice towards a person within 18 months.
Once a dog is declared as dangerous under Nevada law, the dog owner must comply with dangerous animal restrictions, such as the use of a leash and muzzle in public.
Failure to comply with these restrictions can result in the dog owner being hit with fines or criminal/civil charges if the dog is involved in an animal attack.
What Is a Vicious Dog in Nevada
A vicious dog is a dog that was classified as dangerous and then attacks a person and inflicts substantial bodily harm or kills them.
Under NRS 202.500, it's illegal to own, sell, or transfer a vicious dog; failure to follow this could result in the local animal control agency apprehending the dog and the dog owner facing fines or criminal charges.
Dog owners who have a dog that is deemed vicious must surrender their dog to a local animal control officer to avoid violating public safety.
To report vicious dogs in Las Vegas, contact a local animal regulation officer by calling (702) 229-6444.
Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Cases in Nevada
Under Nevada personal injury law, the statute of limitations for filing a dog bite claim is two years from the date the bite occurred.
If you fail to file your dog bite injury claim in the two-year window, you'll be barred from recovering compensation from the party held responsible for the dog bite.
However, exceptions may be made depending on the circumstances surrounding the dog bite, such as if the victim is a young child, giving more time to file a dog bite case.
If you seek a strong legal team that will complete your dog bite case within the Nevada statute of limitations, schedule a free consultation with a Las Vegas dog bite injury attorney from our law firm today by calling (702) 566-3600.
What Are the Nevada Dog Leash Laws
In Nevada, there is no statewide statute regarding leash law.
However, individual counties in Nevada have their own leash laws stated in their municipal code, which outline how a dog must be restrained in public areas.
Key to know leash law for specific Nevada counties include:
- Clark County: Under Clark County Code § 10.36.040, dogs must be restrained on a leash no longer than six feet while in public spaces.
- Washoe County: Washoe County Code § 55.100 mandates that dog owners must keep their dogs on a leash while in public areas.
- Carson City: Municipal ordinances require dogs to be kept on a leash in public spaces.
Those who violate their local government's leash laws can be subjected to fines from local police or liability if their dog causes substantial bodily harm in an attack.
Who Is Liable If a Dog Bites Someone on My Property?
Nevada dog bite laws state that multiple parties can be responsible for a bite that occurs on your property.
Dog Owner
If a dog who did not own bite someone on your property the pet owner will most likely be responsible for the resulting injuries and damages, especially if they knew of the dog aggressive history or did not properly restrain their animal.
Property Owner
Under Nevada dog bite laws, a property owner could be held liable for a dog attack if the victim was invited onto the property, such as if a guest, delivery driver, or private contractor was attacked.
However, if the dog attacks a trepasser, the property owner will typically not be liable for the attack as they do not owe the same duty of care as they owe to guests.
Landlord
If a landlord knew that a tenant had a vicious or dangerous animal and did not take timely and proper action, they could be in violation of animal control law and share liability in an attack that occurs on common property.
What Happens If Your Dog Bites Someone in Nevada?
If your bog bites someone in Nevada, you could face a civil lawsuit and possibly criminal charges, depending on the circumstances.
However, to mitigate potential legal consequences and damages, you should immediately do the following:
- Obtain medical care for the victim
- Secure your dog
- Exchange contact information
- Report the bite to law enforcement or animal control
- Document the event
- Seek legal representation
What Damages Can You Seek in a Dog Bite Claim in Las Vegas
When filing a claim against the at-fault party, if they have liability insurance requirements and you have a strong claim, you can seek damages such as:
- Medical Expenses: All past and future medical costs.
- Lost Wages: Using a pay stub or income statement as evidence, you can recover income that was lost because of the injuries.
- Pain and Suffering: The physical and emotional distress you suffer because of the injuries can be compensated for.
- Punitive Damages: If the animal owner's actions were extremely negligent or intentional, a Nevada court may give you a punitive award, which is meant to punish the at-fault party.
To maximize the damages you obtain in your claim, contact a personal injury attorney from our law firm today by calling (702) 566-3600.
How Many Times Can a Dog Bite Someone Before Being Put Down in Nevada
In Nevada, a dog will NOT automatically be put down after biting someone; however, if the dog is declared as vicious or kills someone, it may be euthanized.
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Rodney Okano Car Accident Lawyer is a Las Vegas personal injury law firm with over 20 years of experience helping clients obtain maximum compensation following injuries from accidents such as car crashes, worksite injuries, and slips and falls. Over those years, The Rodney Okano Car Accident Lawyer Law Firm has become an experienced law firm that can ensure exceptional results for any of its clients.
