What can I do if a dog attacks my child?
If your child is attacked by a dog in Oklahoma, the first and foremost step is to get your child medical attention. After their medical needs are taken care of, you should contact the local law enforcement and report the incident. In Oklahoma, the dog owner is liable for the payment of damages resulting from a dog bite if the victim can prove that the dog was not provoked, and that the victim was not trespassing upon the dog owner’s property. Under Oklahoma’s dog bite law, if a dog bites someone, the owner of the dog can be held liable for any damages caused by the attack. You should also consider pursuing a civil lawsuit. A civil lawsuit involves a private party suing another private party. You can file this suit in the district court where the attack happened or the county court of the district in which the dog owner resides. In some cases, the court may award compensatory damages (to cover medical expenses, etc.) and, in rare cases, they may award punitive damages against the dog owner. If the circumstances of the attack are especially severe, you may also be able to pursue criminal charges against the dog owner. Depending on the specific circumstances, the dog owner may face criminal charges such as assault or animal cruelty. It is important that you contact an experienced attorney to ensure that you receive the compensation you and your child are entitled to.
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