Many dog bite accidents happen when the dog is off the leash. This sometimes happens in scenarios where an off-leash dog is legally permitted, such as at a dog park. But it can also happen in areas where a dog is technically supposed to be on a leash at all times.
If you get bitten by an off-leash dog, you’ll likely be very frustrated. Why would the dog’s owner even let them off the leash in the first place? Below are a few reasons why people do this.
Freedom to explore
Some owners just express the desire to give their dog the freedom to explore its surroundings. And it is true that dogs do think this is fun, especially when they are young. But safety has to come first.
Training practices
In other cases, owners are trying to train their dog. It’s very important to be able to call the dog and get it to return to you immediately, for instance. This takes a lot of work and practice. Unfortunately, dog bite accidents happen while the dog is still being trained.
The dog is friendly
One of the top things that people say after their dog bites someone else is just that they are shocked because the dog is friendly and it has “never done anything like this before.” Often, these people are being honest. They are surprised. But this is why it’s important for even the owners of “friendly” dogs to understand the ramifications of letting them off the leash.
If you have been bitten, you could be dealing with high medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and many other expenses. Be sure you know if you have a right to compensation.
