Best Dog Bite Attorneys in St. Louis

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in St. Louis, Missouri?

  If you find yourself in a non-emergency situation in St. Louis, call the police at 314-231-1212.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in St. Louis, Missouri?

  Copies of police reports in St. Louis can be requested in person at the Metropolitan Police Department's Records Service Center, which is open between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday. You can also submit an online request via this link: https://pd-stlouismo.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(onnq53oe1micto2y4no3qe45))/SupportHome.aspx?sSessionID=20722831135UFUMCBIRVGGHFUQLGAEQUZPWFXGQV&=&lp=3.

• Does the "one bite rule" apply in St. Louis?

  Not anymore. Before, St. Louis and the rest of Missouri follow the "one bite rule," which meant that owners are only responsible for dog bites if they knew their dog was violent. However, the Missouri legislature adopted the "strict liability" principle in 2009, meaning that owners are liable to pay for medical costs and other injuries of a person bitten by their dog, regardless if they knew if their dog was vicious or not.

• What defenses are available for owners of dogs that bit another individual in St. Louis?

  Owners of dogs that bit another individual have two possible defenses to avoid liability in St. Louis. First, the owner can claim that the victim provoked the dog. This applies when the victim startled or harmed the dog, causing the latter to attack the person. The second defense is trespassing. If the victim enters the owner's property without permission and was bitten by the dog, the owner will not be responsible for damages.

• Are dogs required to be on a leash when outside in St. Louis?

  Yes. Under St. Louis laws and regulations, pet owners should keep their dogs on a leash whenever they are outside of the owner's property to prevent them from biting or causing injuries to others. This means that dogs must be leashed if they are being walked on another person's property, on a public street, at a park, or in any other public space. They can only be allowed at large inside city-designated dog parks.

• What types of damages can a dog bite victim recover in St. Louis?

  Dog bite victims in St. Louis can demand compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include the medical costs they incurred, as well as income they lost while seeking medical treatment or recovering from the incident. Meanwhile, non-economic damages cover the emotional distress, pain, and disfigurement caused by the dog bite.

• How long does a dog bite victim have to file a lawsuit in St. Louis?

  If you are bitten by a dog in St. Louis, you have up to five years to file a lawsuit for damages against its owner. Once this period lapses, you may be barred from demanding any compensation for your injuries or bringing up other legal action against the dog owner.