Animal Bites

Under New Jersey law, a pet owner can often be held liable for and injuries that occur as a result of his or her pet biting another person. The state statute regarding dog bites imposes strict liability on dog owners for any injuries that are caused by a bite, meaning that there is no requirement that the dog has bitten someone before to hold the owner liable, as there is in other states. Notably, a dog owner is liable for any injuries that a bite may cause even if the victim was trespassing on his or her land unless the trespasser intended to commit a crime. While dogs are specifically addressed by state law, other animals that are often kept as pets are also capable of causing serious injury when they bite, including the following:

• Birds
• Lizards
• Cats
• Horses
• Alligators
• Exotic pets
• Ferrets

Common Injuries and Complications Associated with Animal Bites
Dog and other animal bites are often capable of causing serious injuries and other complications such as nerve damage and infections. Of course, the type of animal that bites a person makes a significant difference as to the potential extent of his or her injuries – a large dog is likely to cause much more damage than a small bird. That being said, some of the more common kinds of injuries that many animal bite victims sustain include the following:

• Facial Scarring
• Infections
• Lacerations
• Bruises
• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Muscle tears
• Strains
• Loss of fingers or toes

In addition to the initial physical trauma associated with an animal bite, victims can also develop medical or psychological issues that may affect them for years. For example, many dog bite victims develop a phobia of dogs that prevents them engaging in everyday activities that they once enjoyed. In addition, contrary to popular myth, animals’ mouths have millions of bacteria that can cause serious infections that, if left untreated, could result in hospitalization and have even caused victims to lose limbs.