Getting bitten by a dog is scary enough. But it can feel even more confusing when that dog is a trained service animal. You may wonder how such a situation could occur and what rights you have in this scenario.
Service dogs are trained to help people with disabilities. They are often calm, well-behaved and allowed to be in places where regular pets are not. Still, like any animal, they can exhibit aggressive behavior under certain conditions, and yes, they can bite.
A calm dog, a bad day
While service dogs are usually reliable, they are still animals. Things like fear, pain or overwork can lead to sudden behavior changes. If you are bitten, it is essential to understand that the dog’s status as a service animal does not automatically exempt it from harmful behavior.
Here are a few important things to keep in mind if this happens:
- The dog’s job does not erase accountability: Being labeled a service dog does not mean it gets a free pass. If it causes harm, the situation is taken seriously.
- Service dogs must still be under control: Whether it is in public or private, the handler should always be able to manage the dog. A bite may show the dog was not in control at the time.
- The reason behind the bite matters: Did the dog feel threatened? Was it in pain? Details like these can shape how your case is viewed.
- Location counts: A bite in a grocery store may be handled differently than one that happens in a home or medical setting.
Each setting has its challenges, and understanding how the location affects your situation can help you make sense of what comes next. After getting bitten by a service animal, you are likely dealing with both physical pain and a flood of questions. It is good to consider legal help when things feel unclear, since the case is not always black and white.