Is the owner of a dog held responsible for bites?

Yes, in Texas the owner of a dog is held responsible for bites. Under the Texas Dog Bite Law, the owner of a pet must exercise reasonable care to prevent their dog from injuring another person. This applies if the victim was legally on the property upon which the bite occurred. A person injured by a dog bite must show that they did not provoke the animal in any way and that they were not trespassing when the bite occurred. The pet owner can be held liable for damages caused by a dog bite, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The pet owner may even be held liable if the dog has not bitten anyone in the past or displayed aggressive behavior before. This is because dog owners are expected to understand their pet’s behavior and ensure that they do not cause harm to others. In order to protect against claims, Texas law requires all dog owners to carry liability insurance. In the event of a bite, this insurance should cover the costs of any legal action taken against the pet owner. If a dog owner does not have this insurance, or cannot pay for the damages caused by the bite, the individual may be required to compensate the victim by paying out of pocket.

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