How do I prove negligence in a dog bite case?

In order to prove negligence in a dog bite case, an injured person must show that the dog’s owner was negligent in controlling the dog, and that this negligence caused the victim’s injury. In Washington, a dog owner is held to the same standard of care required of an ordinary reasonable person. If the owner fails to meet this standard of care, they may be held liable for damages caused by their dog. In order to establish negligence, the injured person must demonstrate that the dog’s owner knew, or should have known, that the dog had the potential to cause injury. This can be established by a prior history of aggressive behavior, a history of escaping from the owner’s property, or by other circumstances that would alert a reasonable person to the risk of injury. In addition, the injured person must also provide evidence that the dog’s owner acted in an unreasonable way to prevent injury or damage. This could include evidence that the owner did not properly restrain the dog or that the owner failed to take other safety measures, such as providing adequate fencing or supervision, to protect the public from the dog. The injured person may also be able to prove negligence by showing that the owner was aware of the danger the dog posed and failed to take reasonable measures to prevent the injury. For example, if the owner knew that the dog had a history of being aggressive, but failed to take steps to ensure that the public was not exposed to the danger, then the owner may be liable for any resulting damages.

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