Dog Bites

Anchorage Dog Bite Attorneys

A Compassionate Approach to Injury Cases in Alaska

Among the personal injury cases our team routinely handles, dog bites are one of the most common – according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 4.5 million injuries occur in the United States every year. Though many might associate dog bites with a few scratches or minor puncture wounds that can heal in a few days, the reality is that many injuries are serious enough to require medical care. Among the 4.5 million annual injuries, 800,000 of those bites require hospitalization or some kind of medical attention.

Kelley & Canterbury has experience helping victims of dog attacks seek the compensation they need to heal. We take a hands-on approach to all of our cases to provide the personalized care and attention you and your family needs after a traumatizing experience.

Call (888) 639-4817 after you or a loved one has been attacked and injured by a dog in Anchorage to discuss your legal options. Our family is ready to help yours.

Dog Bite Laws in Alaska

Dog bite laws in Alaska operate like any other negligence claim, in that victims need to be able to prove the dog owner was negligent. Proving this negligence can come down to numerous factors, such as the initial choice to keep a known aggressive breed or a breed that is notorious for biting, a history of aggression in the animal, failure to maintain control or contain the dog, failure to warn of potential aggressive behavior, and more.

After proving negligence, victims of dog bites can pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, scarring/disfigurement, pain, and suffering.

Additionally, adult individuals who have been injured in dog attacks have two years from the date of injury to bring their case to court. This is known as the “statue of limitations” and any case filed after the deadline will most likely result in the court denying your case, leaving you unable to secure compensation.

It's best to call an attorney to find the appropriate compensation for this tragic loss. Also, you should promptly notify your local animal control to report the incident along with photos of the dog and the injuries.

Common Injuries from Dog Bites

Depending on the nature of the accident, dog bites can lead to a range of injuries that extend beyond superficial scratches or abrasions that don’t go past the outer layer of your skin. Though scrapes, grazing, and minor bleeding that may result in some scarring are common, the unfortunate truth is that injuries can go much deeper. Dog bites can tear into the skin and cause a variety of complications that require medical treatment, time off work to recuperate, and even hospitalization. Some of these injuries include:

Punctures. When a dog’s teeth pierce your skin, they can sink deep and cause heavy bleeding. These injuries will likely result in scars and can potentially lead to infection if left untreated.
Infections. Dog bite injuries can worsen when they get infected by bacteria or germs, and around 10 to 15 percent of all dog bites will result in infection. Signs of an infection include swelling, redness, pus, and pain, requiring the use of antibiotics to heal. You may also be at risk for certain diseases, like rabies. Though the risk of rabies from dogs is minimal in the U.S., there are irresponsible pet owners who don’t vaccinate their pets.
Loss of body parts. Some of the most serious dog bite injuries occur when a dog rips skin or tissue completely off the body, including entire body parts like ears or noses. Known as avulsion, these dog bite injuries usually require reconstructive surgery and will result in scarring.
Nerve damage. When a dog bite sinks deep enough into the skin and penetrates tissue, it could extend to the nerves and cause damage. Serious nerve damage can result in you losing feeling, sensation, or the ability to use that part of your body completely.
Psychological trauma and PTSD. Victims may experience increased fear of dogs after an attack. They may be afraid to go out in public since there are so many dog owners in Alaska. Victims may need to seek counseling to heal the psychological trauma.

Child Victims in Dog Bite Cases

Statistics show that children are more likely to be the victims of serious dog bite injuries and related fatalities because of their inability to pick up on behavioral cues such as growling, bared teeth, and other signs of aggression, as well as their defenselessness and their susceptibility as prey. Children are also more likely to want to pet or play with dogs and may reach out and engage with them, triggering a dog to bite them. Dog owners, however, are still liable for any injuries that their pet inflicts upon another person through their failure to anticipate these dangers and adequately control and contain their aggressive pet.

A child isn't held to the same standard as an adult as far as their ability to appreciate and avoid dangers, a the statute of limitations is also different for a child: For minors, the statute is tolled until they reach the age of 18, granting them the ability to file a claim until their 20th birthday if no claim is filed by their guardian prior to them reaching that age.

If you or your child has been injured by a dog bite, you deserve to be compensated for your pain while holding the negligent pet owner responsible. While we are dog lovers ourselves, we also care for each of our clients and know how damaging a bite can be from an untrained dog. Let our legal team handle the details of your case while you focus on healing.

Contact us online or by calling (888) 639-4817 to discuss your case with our Anchorage dog bite lawyers.

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At Kelley & Canterbury LLC, we’re committed to securing justice for you while prioritizing your recovery. Trust us to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us focus on your case.

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Hear From Those We've Helped

Testimonials that Speak to Our Commitment and Compassion

At Kelley & Canterbury, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

"I would recommend him to anyone who is looking for an attorney who will fight for them!"
Chris Canterbury was here for me and my family when we needed him the most. He is so good at what he does and I would recommend him to anyone who is looking for an attorney who will fight for them! His office staff is so friendly and always available to answer any questions along the way.

K.P.
"An excellent team bar none!"
Michaela Canterbury exceeded all my expectations with her knowledge and professional work ethics. Over 10 firms had turned my case down and I was ready to give up. Mrs. Canterbury was able to help me process memories and emotions that might have been overlooked and always had a lighthearted approach with good humor that lifted my spirit. An excellent team bar none!

C.O.
"Respectful, kindhearted, and always put me as the client first!"
Highly recommend! Chris and the entire Kelley and Canterbury team where awesome! Can’t thank them enough! They were respectful, kindhearted, and always put me as the client first! They walked me through every step of my case and made sure I was aware of everything going on with the case. Chris was extremely knowledgeable and knew how to get me taken care of. Thank you Kelley and Canterbury!

B.T.
"I will definitely be using them for all my future legal needs."
They really make you feel like you’re at home and they make sure they will get the most they can for you and your family no matter what.

A.E.
"Kelley and Canterbury absolutely went above and beyond for me."
Being in their office always felt like being with family which made asking my uneducated questions so much easier for me.

J.A.
"I am forever grateful for their hard work."
Michaela and Chris are truly exceptional attorneys and people in general. They are particular about taking care with each clients needs and have shown compassion throughout my experience.

V.J.
"Michaela advocated for me as if I were a member of her family."
Michaela made sure I understood what to expect for the long process ahead of us but even more important, she was empathetic to what I was going through post-accident.

A.K.
"They made me feel like family."
Kelley and Canterbury are more than amazing. They made me feel like family, they cared about the pain my family and I experienced after our accident, emotionally and physically. The staff in the office are incredibly hard working, positive and make you feel part of the team. We will choose Kelley and Canterbury every time!

H.O.

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For nearly 50 years, we’ve helped Alaskans recover after devastating accidents, holding negligent parties accountable for their actions.