Dog Attacks During Evictions, Foreclosures, or Property Showings
Injuries can be sustained in unexpected places, including during evictions, foreclosures, and property showings. In Georgia, these incidents often involve landlords, property managers, real estate agents, contractors, or prospective buyers who are lawfully on a property but encounter an aggressive or unsecured dog.
When a bite occurs, determining liability can be legally complex. Connecting with an Atlanta dog bite lawyer early in the recovery process is key to securing a full and fair settlement.
Why These Situations Are Especially Dangerous
Properties involved in evictions or foreclosures are frequently in transition. Utilities may be disconnected, warning signs may be missing, and communication between owners, tenants, and third parties is often poor. Dogs may be left behind, inadequately restrained, or deliberately kept as a form of protection.
During property showings, visitors reasonably expect a safe environment. Property owners have a duty to ensure that known hazards, including dangerous animals, are addressed before allowing entry. When that duty is ignored, the risk of serious injury increases dramatically.
Georgia does not impose automatic liability for every dog bite. Instead, liability often depends on whether the dog was known to be dangerous or whether local leash laws or safety ordinances were violated. However, in eviction and foreclosure scenarios, additional legal principles may apply.
Property owners, landlords, and property managers may be held responsible if they knew about a dangerous dog on the premises and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent harm. This can include failing to remove the dog, failing to warn lawful visitors, or allowing access to the property without confirming it was safe.
In property showing cases, real estate agents may also face scrutiny if they entered or brought others onto a property despite known risks or without confirming that animals were secured.
Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include:
- Tenants who left an aggressive dog on the property
- Landlords who failed to address known dangers
- Property management companies
Identifying all potentially liable parties is essential, particularly when serious injuries require extensive medical care.
Long-Term Injuries and Personal Recovery
Dog attacks often cause puncture wounds, lacerations, nerve damage, infections, and permanent scarring. In severe cases, victims may suffer facial injuries or lasting psychological trauma. When attacks occur during work-related activities, such as property inspections or showings, lost income and long-term disability may also be at issue.
An Atlanta dog bite lawyer can determine who controlled the property, who had knowledge of the dog, and what safety obligations existed at the time of the attack. Legal counsel can also preserve evidence and navigate insurance coverage issues.
Who is protecting your rights after an unexpected dog attack? No one expects to be attacked by a dog when lawfully entering a property. When negligence leads to serious injury, victims deserve accountability. Understanding how Georgia law applies, and working with the lawyers at Zagoria Neely Injury Attorneys, is key to pursuing compensation and protecting your future. Contact us to schedule a confidential meeting.
