Guntersville Dog Bite Attorneys

Guntersville, located in Marshall County, is in northeast Alabama. U.S. Route 431 is the main route through the city, leading north 37 miles to Huntsville, and southeast 10 miles to Albertville. The city has a total of 42.7 square miles, 25.6 of which are land and 17.1 are water. The city is 40% water and located at the southernmost point of the Tennessee River on Lake Guntersville.

Due to the proximity to water, as well as the many local parks, Guntersville is a haven for outdoor activity. This makes it a prime city for citizens to get out and enjoy the outdoors with a dog. The City of Guntersville has about 6 miles of shoreline that encompasses 175 acres of park land, much of which is open space that is open to the public for recreational use. Additionally, Guntersville has its own off-leash dog park, the Guntersville Dog Park at Tom Jackson Park, in addition to several dog-specific parks that are easily accessible in nearby Albertville and Scottsboro.

While a city that thrives on outdoor activity is a great place for dogs and their owners, owners must always be vigilant to ensure their dog doesn’t bite and injure someone. Additionally, it is important for all those who are outside to be aware that even though a dog looks friendly, it can still bite or attack you. Dogs are inherently unpredictable, no matter how well behaved or well-trained you believe your dog to be. Dogs bite and attack, especially when the dog is in a strange place or unfamiliar area. However, dog bites still most commonly occur in the dog’s own yard, house or neighborhood.

If you or someone you love has been bitten or attacked by a dog, be sure to call the Guntersville dog bite attorneys at 844.LAW.TALK or 205.324.3600 or contact us here. Being attacked or bitten by a dog can leave, not only physical scarring, it can result in severe emotional distress and a lifelong fear of being around or near dogs. Our firm has represented many dog bite victims over the years and can attest to the pain and suffering and emotional distress endured by injured victims of a dog attack. We represent dog bite victims on a contingency fee basis which means we only get paid if we successfully recover for you. If we don’t recover, then the representation is FREE.

The most common cause of dog bites includes the following types of aggression:

• conflict aggression,
• fear-based aggression,
• defensive aggression,
• status-related aggression,
• possessive aggression,
• food guarding aggression, and
• redirected aggression.

The most common form is fear-based and is rooted in some level of the dog being afraid. The dog may be afraid of something or someone getting too close to them and respond with a bite. That being said, it is important to train your dog to be comfortable in common, public spaces with people around so they are less likely to be afraid and bite. Additionally, it is best not to approach any dog in public, even at a dog park and no matter how friendly the dog looks. Dog owners should always be conscious of their dog’s propensities towards people, especially if they are a large dog, capable of severely injuring someone.

To ensure that you and your dog can safely take advantage of the abundant outdoor spaces in Guntersville, be sure to train your dog at these parks and outdoor areas, preferably at less crowded times. Training a dog to be comfortable at a dog park, outdoor space, or dog-friendly restaurant is important. Steps to train a dog to be less likely to bite in an outdoor setting are below.

• Start with a relaxed dog. Do not start training when the dog is feeling rambunctious.
• Begin with a bathroom break.
• Keep training visits short and build duration slowly.
• Place your dog in the least trafficked part of the restaurant or park in the beginning.
• Give space to other dogs.

Even after training, always keep a close eye on your dog while in public. Dogs can flip to an aggressive posture very quickly for a reason you may not understand. Additionally, dogs can injure someone while playing, even with no aggressive or malicious intent. Always keep a close eye on your dog and watch for cues of discomfort or agitation. On the flip side, never approach a dog you don’t know.

If you or someone you love has been injured by a dog in Guntersville or its surrounding areas, be sure to contact the skilled Guntersville dog bite attorneys at Hollis, Wright & Clay, P.C. Let us handle the insurance company and the dog owner while you heal from your injuries. You are entitled, under Alabama law, to receive compensation for lost wages, medical bills, emotional distress, and more. Contact us at 844.LAW.TALK or 205.324.3600 or contact us here.