Tennessee considers dog bite laws
Okay, first of all let me be clear. I love dogs. All types and sizes. I have always had dogs and always will. However, I also think it is only fair to society that I be completely responsible for my dogs. Like any animal they can be unpredictable at times. No matter how well we think we know them they may act different around strangers. That is why I support the new proposed tougher dog liability law.
Each year approximate a dozen people nationwide die from dog bites, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Also, according to the State Health Department in 2005 over 7,000 Tennesseans sought treatment for dog bites, and an additional 188 were hospitalized.
Currently under Tennessee law a person must know that there dog is dangerous before they can be held responsible. I think if we are going to have an animal then we are responsible for its actions no matter how unexpected they may be. One of the proposed laws would allow dog owners to be prosecuted for the first time their animals damage property or injure someone, including if the incident happens on their own property. There would be exceptions for dogs protecting owners from real danger.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
