Dogs are very popular pets, and most are well-behaved with caring owners. Often people walk their dogs responsibly on a leash and keep their dogs from roaming freely off their property. Unfortunately, dogs can become possessive of their “territory,” becoming aggressive and biting innocent bystanders.
Attorney Shute’s office is located on Front Street in Chicopee Center a short distance from City Hall. Chicopee is made up of five villages: Aldenville, Chicopee Center (Cabotville), Chicopee Falls, Fairview and Willimansett. Szot Park is a popular destination and in neighboring Holyoke a popular place for dog owners is the Wyatt Harper Dog Park on Community Field Road.
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(413) 592-0999
Attorney Shute offers a free consultation for us to discuss the particulars of what you experienced and how the law applies to your injury. Attorney Shute will answer your questions and formulate a case specific strategy to maximize the compensation you receive.
Restraint of Dogs
2020 Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 174B states that the owner or keeper of the dog shall restrain the dog with a chain or leash when in an officially designated public highway rest area. Section 173 states that a city or town may make additional ordinances or by-laws relative to the licensing and control of animals.
Municipal Leash Laws
Massachusetts municipalities determine the leash length and where a dog must be leashed. These by-laws do not override the strict liability provision of the Massachusetts Dog Bite Statute.
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What should you do if you are attacked or bitten by a dog?
You should seek medical attention from a doctor, emergency department or urgent care facility. You should take photos of your injury and wounds. You should also get the name and address of the dog owner, the person who was taking care of the dog when you were attacked or bitten and the names of any witnesses. Dog bites are serious and often the victim of a dog attack requires treatment for the bite wound or, if knocked to the ground, treatment for the injuries from the fall. The victim of a dog bite can be left dealing with nerve damage and emotional and physical scars which merit fair compensation.
What is the Massachusetts dog bite / dog attack law?
Massachusetts law is “strict liability” which means that if the victim of a dog bite or attack was not provoking the dog by teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog or if the victim was not trespassing, then the owner or keeper of the dog is liable. The owner cannot claim that he or she did not know that the dog would bite or attack. Contrary to popular opinion, there is no “one bite” exception.
Why choose Attorney Shute to represent you?
Attorney Shute has years of experience practicing as a personal injury lawyer in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. He is knowledgeable and knows the complex issues involved in evaluating dog bite claims and obtaining compensation for your pain and suffering and for payment of medical bills. The legal determination of who is responsible as a “keeper” of the dog can become a complex matter requiring legal expertise. Attorney Shute represents only injury victims, never the perpetrators so you know he’s on your side.
Chicopee
333 Front St., Suite 4,
Chicopee, Massachusetts
Phone: (413) 592-0999
Tenant Insurance and Landlords’ Responsibility
For landlords who allow tenants / renters to have dogs as pets, the landlords should require tenants to have renter’s insurance. Landlords should make sure that the Tenant’s insurance coverage does not exclude coverage for the breed of the Tenant’s dog. If a Landlord knows the dog had bitten someone previously or was dangerous and did not have the dog removed, or if the landlord cared for or had control over the dog, then the landlord could be liable as well as the owner. Owners of dogs should have significant insurance coverage and purchase an additional “umbrella policy” for the serious harm that their dogs can inflict.
Injuries from dogs can be very severe and often happen without warning, giving the victim no opportunity to avoid the attack. Puncture wounds, infection, scarring, nerve damage, fear of dogs and anxiety all are common results. What happens in a split second can have lifelong effects and you should be compensated.
Statute of Limitations
In Massachusetts, liability cases have a statute of limitations for filing a case. Please contact me when you have been injured because waiting could bar you from being able to make a claim for your harm.
Call Now: 413-592-0999 or 413-437-7788, Days, Evenings or Weekends for your Free Case Evaluation with Atty. Robert Shute, personally.
Free Case Evaluation
Statute of Limitations
In Massachusetts, liability cases have statute of limitations for filing a case. Please contact me when you have been injured because waiting could bar you from being able to make a claim for your harm.
Call Now: 413-592-0999 or 413-437-7788, Days, Evenings or Weekends for your Free Case Evaluation with Atty. Robert Shute, personally.