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Aurora Dog Bites Lawyer
Many communities around the Chicagoland area including Aurora, Illinois maintain ordinances regarding domestic animals that list a number of responsibilities of owning a dog. Any dog’s keeper or owner violating the city’s ordinances can be found legally liable for damages filed by a dog bite victim in civil court.
Under Aurora’s dog ownership ordinances, pet owners have the legal responsibility to ensure their dog does not pose any hazard, harm or danger to any individual or pet. Sadly, some dog owners are negligent in adhering to the law. As a result, many individuals, especially young children, are victimized by serious dog bites every year.
Common Severe Animal Attack InjuriesNearly every type of dog attack is vicious. Statistics maintained by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) indicate that more than 800,000 dog bites requiring medical attention occur in the U.S. every year. Most of the attacks on young children tend to include bites to the face. The most common severe injuries associated with animal attacks involve:
- Facial scarring
- Facial disfigurement
- Extensive nerve damage often involving paralysis
- Lacerations, puncture wounds, hematomas, abrasions and contusions
- Injuries to the eye
- Severe infection including hepatitis, hemorrhagic septicemia and rabies
- Amputation of the nose, fingers and limbs
- Head injuries and brain trauma
- Bone dislocation and fractures
- Wrongful death
Widespread scarring tends to be the most serious injury that happens in dog bite attacks. The disfiguring scars often produce lifelong physical and emotional consequences. The injuries can require expensive reconstruction surgeries to remove the scar tissue, where the painful treatments take months or years to complete.
Aurora, Illinois Dog Ownership OrdinancesOwning a dog is a privilege in Aurora that brings with various responsibilities. The city has enacted numerous animal ordinances involving ownership, registration, vaccinations and disturbing the peace along with attacks and bites caused by vicious animals. The list of ordinances in Section 9 of the city’s laws include:
- A Limit of Household Animals –Aurora limits ownership of domestic animals to four per household, which could include two cats and two dogs. (Section 9-2)
- Domestic Animal Registration – Every individual owning a dog or cat in Aurora is required to maintain a city registration tag. The designating tag must be displayed on the animal’s collar at all times. (Section 9-3)
- Vaccinations – Every cat and dog four months or older is required to be vaccinated for rabies with follow-up booster shots once a year by a veterinarian. In addition to the city registration tag, the pet must wear its vaccination tag at all times. (Section 9-8)
- Disturbing the Peace – Owners must ensure their pet does not disturb the peace of the neighborhood or household by allowing the animal to howl, cry or bark. (Section 9-11)
- Animal Bites and Attacks – Pet owners have the legal responsibility to prevent their dog from attacking or biting any individual, pet or property belonging to another. Any household pet that attacks or bites without provocation can be declared a public nuisance and be impounded by the city’s Animal Control Officer. (Section 9-13)
Any victim of a dog attack that is caused by the wrongful conduct or negligence of others is legally entitled to receive fair and full compensation from every party at fault. However, these cases can be difficult to litigate under Illinois tort law. Because of that, many victims in the Chicagoland area will hire Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC at (888) 424-5757 for legal representation.
The dog bite attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC can build a strong case for compensation to offer crucial evidence to resolve the case. Contact us today. Our reputable law firm has years of experience in negotiating the highest level of compensation for our clients by negotiating out-of-court settlements and litigating cases in front of a judge and jury.