Best Dog Bite Lawyers Brownsville, TX

Brownsville, TX Dog Bite FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Brownsville, Texas?

  The non-emergency contact number for the Brownsville Police Department is 956-548-7000.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Brownsville, Texas?

  You may get a copy of police reports for incidents related to your case by submitting a request to openrecordsrequest@brownsvilletx.gov. Request requirements can be found at https://www.brownsvillepd.com/public-information-request

• How common are dog bites in Brownsville?

  Dog bites in Brownsville, and the state of Texas for that matter, are very common. The Insurance Information Institute ranked Texas third nationwide when it came to the number of dog bite claims in 2022. In addition, the average cost of a dog bite claim in the state is $65,923. Insurance companies spent a total of $67 million on Texas dog bite claims in 2022.

• Should Brownsville dog bite victims report the attack?

  Victims of dog bites in Brownsville must file a report with the Brownsville Animal Control Department. Representatives from the organization will then investigate the complaint, which might prove beneficial should the victim choose to take legal action. The investigation may include gathering witness testimony, issuing subpoenas, and scheduling hearings to determine how and why the incident happened.

• What is considered a "dangerous dog" in Brownsville?

  Under Section 822.041 of the Texas Health & Safety Code, a dog in Brownsville is considered "dangerous" if it makes an unprovoked attack or causes bodily injury to a person in a place other than its enclosure. Owners of dangerous dogs are mandated by law to register the animal and restrain it at all times on a leash or in a secure enclosure.

• Can Brownsville dog owners be charged with a criminal offense?

  Depending on the circumstances of the case, negligent dog owners in Brownsville may face criminal charges in addition to civil liability. An example of such a situation is if the dog makes an unprovoked attack outside of the owner’s property, causing serious bodily injury to its victim. If the attack results in death, the owner may be charged with a felony of the second degree.

• Can Brownsville trespassers file dog bite claims?

  In most cases, trespassers in Brownsville who have suffered dog bites may not be able to recover compensation for their injuries. An exception to this would be incidents involving victims who are less than six years old. Likewise, the dog owner may not be held liable if the victim was found to be provoking the dog, which led to the attack.