Is the owner of a dog liable for all bites?

The answer to this question depends on the circumstances of the incident and what the Washington State laws say about dog bite liability. In Washington, a dog owner may be legally responsible for a bite that occurs if the owner knew or should have known that the dog had a propensity to bite. If a dog had previously bitten someone or behaved in a way that demonstrated aggression, the owner may be held liable. In addition, Washington State considers a dog’s owner strictly liable for the results of a bite if the victim was in a public place or was lawfully in a private place. The victim’s behavior does not have to be taken into account, and can be a child or an adult. Even if the owner had no knowledge of a dog’s aggressive behavior, they can be held liable in these cases. However, if a victim was illegally on the owner’s property, the owner may not be held liable for the dog’s bite. In such a case, the victim may not be able to recover damages since they were trespassing. Regardless of the situation, victims are encouraged to seek counsel from an attorney who is knowledgeable about Washington State’s dog bite laws to determine if the owner is liable. To pursue a claim, the victim must prove that the owner was negligent in controlling the dog.

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Is the owner of a dog liable for all bites?

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