What Does Allow To Go At Liberty Mean in Dog Bite Cases?

If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you may have heard that the owner can be held responsible if the dog was roaming free. But what exactly does that mean? Allowing to go at liberty does not mean intentionally or purposefully allowed the dog to be out in public unrestrained.  The law only requires knowledge the dog is out on the part of the dog owner. An experienced Atlanta dog bite lawyer will listen compassionately to the details of your case and let you know whether the owner violated local laws.

Who Decides If a Dog Was Allowed to go at Liberty?

In the context of dog bite cases, an animal that is roaming free generally refers to a dog that is not restrained or controlled by its owner, either by a leash, fence, or other forms of confinement. This could mean that the dog was off-leash in a public space or wandering outside the boundaries of the owner’s property.

Laws about dogs roaming free vary by state and city. In many places, including Atlanta, leash laws require dogs to be on a leash or under control when in public. If a dog is found roaming free, it may be in violation of local regulations, which could strengthen a victim’s claim in a dog bite case.

Whether or not a dog is deemed to have been out of its owner’s control is usually decided based on the specific circumstances of the incident and applicable local laws.

• Leash ordinances. The first step is to check whether the local laws were violated. If the dog was off-leash in a park, on the street, or in another public area, it could be considered to have been roaming free.
• Private property. When bites occur on private property, the situation might be more complex. A dog that was not confined to a fenced yard or allowed to leave the owner’s property could be considered roaming free, especially if the dog escaped due to owner negligence, such as leaving a gate open or failing to repair a broken fence.
• Control of the animal. Another critical factor is whether the owner had control of the dog. Even if the dog was not on a leash, the owner might argue that they had verbal control of the animal. Yet if the dog ignored the owner’s commands and was not properly supervised, it may still be considered to have been roaming free.

Establishing liability isn’t always straightforward. The victim must show that the owner knew or should have known that the dog had a propensity for aggressive behavior or that they were in violation of leash laws when the bite occurred.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me?

Evidence that the dog was allowed to go at liberty, such as witness testimony, security footage, or police reports, can be crucial in proving the owner’s negligence. An Atlanta dog bite lawyer can secure this key documentation on your behalf. With the right legal representation, you can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages related to the attack.

Are you struggling with medical bills after you were bit by a dog that was not properly restrained? The attorneys at Zagoria Law can help clarify the legal aspects of your case and ensure your rights are protected. Contact us today.