Feb 25, 2022

Can You Get Arrested if Your Dog Bites Someone?

Can I Be Arrested If My Dog Bites Someone?

Denton is a college town that is known to be a haven for community members that enjoy the company of man’s best friends. While having a dog by your side can be a comforting and wonderful experience, sometimes the unexpected could happen and your dog could attack or bite another person.

Is a dog bite just something the law shakes off, or are there certain situations that could lead to an arrest and the need for a bail bond? Let’s dive into the specifics of what could come from your dog biting incident.

Texas Follows the “One Bite” Rule

When it comes to dog bites in Texas, the “one bite rule” is usually the first area that law enforcement will examine.

As long as a dog hasn’t bitten anyone in the past (on record) the incident is bound to fall under the “first bite rule,” which essentially deems a dog’s first bite as a free incident but then puts the owner on law enforcement’s radar if future bites occur.

When Does a Bite Become Criminal?

However, even despite a first bite, there are some instances where dog bites can lead to criminal charges and an arrest.

As with most areas of the law, the severity of the incident usually determines the legal actions taken. Some of the most common situations where a person would be arrested for a dog attack are:

  • Incidents where a dog bite causes serious injury or death
  • Attacks where a negligent owner doesn’t secure their dog and the dog attacks someone away from their property
  • Incidents where the owner knows the dog is a liability and it performs an unprovoked attack against an individual outside of a secure enclosure

What Are the Sentencing Possibilities for a Dog Attack?

When a dog attacks someone and the owner knows the dog is a threat to the public, not only are they responsible for any injuries or damages caused, but they could face some serious penalties handed down by the law.

  • Fines up to $10,000
  • A third-degree felony
  • Imprisonment between 2 and 10 years

How Can a Bail Bond Help You Build Up Your Defense?

Getting arrested means your time is limited when building your defense against your dog bite case. A Denton bail bond can help you get out of jail fast, and work towards proving your innocence as a dog owner.

Some of the possible defenses available to people with dog bite charges looming over their heads include:

  • Lack of knowledge of the dog’s risk factor
  • Proving that the person who was bitten was trespassing on property or provoked the attack

It isn’t always easy to prove innocence in these situations, so relying on a bail bond gives you more time with your defense attorney to build your case’s strength against criminal charges.

Get Out of a Denton Jail Faster With Big Bubba’s Bail Bonds

If you’ve been arrested after your dog attacked another dog or person, remember, there is always a way out of your current situation.

At Big Bubba’s Bail Bonds, our Denton location is open 24/7 and prepared to help you get bailed out of jail today. No matter the price of your bail, trust Big Bubba to be on your side.

Contact us today to get the bail bond process started.