Dog Bite Injuries in Mobile County Are More Common Than You Think
Mobile County Animal Control responds to hundreds of dog bite reports every year. Many more go unreported. Dog bites can cause devastating injuries including deep lacerations, nerve damage, broken bones, infections, and severe scarring. Children are disproportionately affected, with the majority of serious dog bite injuries occurring in kids under 10 years old.
The neighborhoods and communities throughout Mobile County, from Saraland to Theodore, from Prichard to West Mobile, all see dog bite incidents. Whether the attack happened at a neighbor's home, in a public park, or on a sidewalk in your neighborhood, Alabama law provides a path to compensation, but the rules are more complex than most people realize.
Alabama's One-Bite Rule and Strict Liability Statute
Alabama uses a dual approach to dog bite liability. Under the common law 'one-bite rule,' a dog owner is liable if they knew or should have known their dog was dangerous. This typically means the dog has bitten someone before or has shown aggressive tendencies like growling, lunging, or escaping its enclosure.
However, Alabama Code Section 3-6-1 also imposes strict liability on dog owners when their dog bites someone who is on the owner's property at the owner's invitation or who is in a place where they have a legal right to be. Under strict liability, you do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. You only need to prove the dog bit you and you were legally present at the location.
The distinction between these two theories matters because the insurance company will try to force your claim into the one-bite framework, which requires you to prove the owner's prior knowledge. An experienced attorney will know when strict liability applies and how to argue it.
Reporting a Dog Bite in Mobile County
If you are bitten by a dog in Mobile County, report the incident to Mobile County Animal Control at (251) 574-3647. If the bite occurred within the city limits of Mobile, contact the Mobile Police Department. For bites in Saraland, Chickasaw, Prichard, or other municipalities, contact the local police department.
Alabama law requires a 10-day quarantine for any dog that bites a person, to monitor for rabies. The animal control report creates an official record of the incident that is valuable evidence for your claim. It also helps establish whether the dog has a history of aggression or prior bites.
Recovering Compensation for a Dog Bite in Alabama
Dog bite victims in Alabama can recover compensation for medical bills, reconstructive surgery, scarring and disfigurement, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In cases involving children, the psychological impact of a dog attack can be profound and long-lasting, and courts recognize this in awarding damages.
Most dog bite claims are covered by the owner's homeowner's insurance or renter's insurance policy. However, some policies exclude certain breeds or have specific exclusions for animal attacks. An attorney can investigate the available insurance coverage and identify all potential sources of compensation.
If you or your child was bitten by a dog in Mobile County, call attorney Cody Poe at (251) 298-8454 for a free consultation. He handles dog bite cases throughout the Mobile area and can help you understand your rights under Alabama law.
Cody S. Poe, Esq.
Personal Injury Attorney
Cody Poe is a personal injury attorney serving clients throughout Mobile County, Saraland, and the Alabama Gulf Coast. He is committed to helping accident victims understand their rights and recover the compensation they deserve.