Determining Whether You Provoked a Dog Attack in Georgia

In legal cases that arise from a dog attack in Georgia, provocation is a common defense. This vague term is often mentioned but not so often supported by the facts. The so called ‘provocation doctrine' of dog attacks in Georgia states that a dog bite is justified under certain circumstances (such as when someone provokes it) so that the dog or owner cannot be held responsible. 

If have been the victim of a dog attack in Georgia and were seriously injured, contact a Peachtree city dog attack attorney to find out if you're eligible to collect damages from the dog attack. 

To determine whether a dog attack in Georgia qualifies as being protected under the provocation doctrine, your actions leading up to the attack will be scrutinized. For example, if you hit the dog, this may be considered as provoking it. But in turn, the dog's reaction cannot be totally out of proportion to your behavior.

Of course, after being attacked by a dog the owner cannot simply say that you provoked it or behaved aggressively. The courts have narrowly defined ‘provocation' so that the defense cannot be overused.

Notable everyday actions which are not considered to be provoking a dog include: 

• Walking toward and/or reaching toward a dog to pet it;

• Playing with a dog and patting his head; and

• Feeding a dog. 

Because of the complexity surrounding dog attacks in Georgia, if you were involved in a dog attack in Georgia it's strongly recommended to hire a qualified Peachtree city dog attack attorney to protect your rights during the case.

Contacting a Peachtree City Dog Attack Attorney

If you were recently injured in a dog attack in Georgia, you have rights that insurance companies cannot ignore. While they have a team of lawyers working on their side, shouldn't you have experienced legal representation fighting for your best interests? Before accepting any settlement offer, contact the Law Offices of Jason Schultz to schedule a FREE consultation on your case - 404-474-0804.