Are American Bulldogs Dangerous?

Identifying the Risks and Legal Damages Associated with American Bulldogs

As a New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer, clients often ask me about the potential dangers associated with American bulldogs. Understanding the behavior of the American bulldog can give you an insight into the actions that may trigger a bulldog to bite or attack. This article explores the potential dangers of American bulldogs and will help you navigate the steps to take if you suffer a dog bite injury.

We’ll explain more about the legal options available to those bitten by American bulldogs and highlight how our firm can help you take the next step in securing compensation for your potential loss of employment and medical care damages. The goal is to provide dog bite victims the support they need and to educate them on the American bulldog and its unique breed tendencies. 

The Legal Insights on American Bulldogs 

While American bulldogs are famed for their loyal and protective nature, these characteristics can often lead to bulldogs lashing out when they sense potential danger. It’s one of the primary reasons American bulldogs are not suitable for homes with children, and there have been numerous incidents globally linking American bulldogs with fatal attacks on children in family homes. 

Your New Jersey Dog Bite Rights After an American Bulldog Attack

In New Jersey, American Bulldog victims can sue owners for a wide range of damages associated with their attack. You have the right to sue for compensation for the following:

• Lost employment income
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Disability
• Emotional distress

Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) and Dog Insurance in New Jersey

New Jersey insurance companies often have strict stipulations preventing coverage to homes where an American bulldog resides. Insurance companies classify American bulldogs alongside Rottweilers and pit bulls regarding their insurability. Owners who keep American bulldogs as pets without first informing their insurance company of the dog in their home are at risk of voiding their policy and being left without coverage if their American bulldog attacks someone. 

The Dangers Associated with American Bulldogs and Children

Tragic attacks have occurred around the world as a result of families keeping American bulldogs in homes with young children. Due to their muscularity and jaw strength, the breed can inflict significant damage. This article highlights a recent American bulldog attack on a four-year-old girl in the UK, after which the child required 40 stitches in their face. There are also countless examples where American bulldogs have attacked their owners. One such example was an attack in Colorado, in which a child and one of his parents suffered life-changing injuries.

What Legal Options Are Available to NJ Dog Bite Victims?

Under the New Jersey Dog Bite Statutes section 4:19-16, dog owners are liable for any injuries their dog causes, even if they tried to restrain the animal or warn others. Victims working with their dog bite lawyers must prove the bite occurred.  

The Role of the New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer

In proving that the dog bite occurred and that your damages are the result of the dog bite, you’ll work with New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer David Cowhey to analyze the evidence and highlight the value of the evidence in negotiations with the dog owner’s insurance company. As the dog bite lawyer with the most six-figure settlements, he’s proven his ability to effectively negotiate with insurance firms and advocate for bite victims and all ages and backgrounds. 

Definition of Dog Attack Injuries in New Jersey

The definition of an injury concerning dog attacks is critical as you pursue your case against the dog’s owner. New Jersey law allows dog attack victims to pursue a case when:

• The victim suffers puncture wounds as a result of a dog bite
• The victim experiences mental health damage as a result of an attack (even if no physical damage occurs)
• The victim sustains fall-related injuries in a dog attack

How American Bulldogs Injure Victims

The type of dog-inflicted injury is often a crucial factor in determining the extent of the damage and the prognosis for the victim. Clawing, biting down on the skin, or causing an injury in a trip and fall – the type of dog attack injury may impact the potential settlement.

Common Types of Injury American Bulldogs Inflict include:

• Lacerations

One of the most common injuries inflicted by American bulldogs, lacerations often occur when the dog’s teeth graze against the skin. Lacerations from American bulldog attacks often occur 

because of the breed’s muscular physique, allowing them to jump more than three feet and attack quickly.

• Deep flesh wounds

American bulldog victims who experience a sustained attack will likely face deep flesh wounds due to the large size of the dog’s teeth and the power of the breed’s jaw. Deep flesh wounds are often the result of a one-off warning bite from the dog in which a child or adult accidentally encroaches on the space of the notoriously territorial breed.

• Broken bones

In a sustained attack by an American bulldog, a victim is likely to experience several broken bones. Broken bones are usually defensive wounds. The data shows most victims experience broken bones in the hands, arms, and legs as they try to escape a dog attack and block their face. 

How to Protect Your Rights After an American Bulldog Attack

American bulldog attacks involve severe injuries with lifelong consequences for the victim and their families. Take action if you, or someone you love, is hurt in a dog attack, and use the below guidance to begin your settlement claim. 

• Book a Medical Appointment

Speak with a doctor immediately after the attack to undergo medical diagnostics and confirm the extent of the damage. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination to check for lacerations and skin damage and then will likely book you in for an x-ray to diagnose broken bones and other forms of internal damage.

2.   Report the Attack

Report the dog attack to the New Jersey authorities so there’s a record of the incident and to ensure officials can follow up with the dog owner. You should also report your dog bite to the local health department in your city so they can track your case and take action.

3.     Collect the Evidence

Evidence linking your injuries to the attack will be crucial in supporting your dog bite settlement. Collect evidence such as photographs of your wounds, medical records, and witness statements, which track the course of your injuries from the day of the attack to today. A dog bite lawyer can help in the evidence-collecting phase by tracking down the dog owner and confirming their insurance details, ready for you to file a case against them. 

Do I Have a Case for a Dog Bite Settlement?

The language within the New Jersey Dog Bite Statute is clear; all dog owners are automatically responsible for injuries their dog causes, regardless of their level of negligence or their dog’s previous aggression. 

Your dog bite settlement will be paid either by the owner’s pet insurance or their home insurance, and the insurance company that holds the policy will determine the settlement amount. Ensuring the highest possible settlement requires familiarity with dog bite law and experience in handling American Bulldog attack cases. And that’s why families throughout New Jersey depend on David Cowhey.

Dog Bite Lawyer with Proven Experience in American Bulldog Cases

David Cowhey is the New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer – the attorney with the most six-figure dog bite settlements across the state. With conveniently located offices in Newark and Egg Harbor Township, he can meet either in person, virtually, or over the phone to discuss the next steps in your dog attack case. Book your initial, no-obligation consultation with David Cowhey to begin exploring your dog bite settlement options.