Can I Sue if My Dog Was Killed By a Neighbor’s Dog in Illinois? 

 Posted on December 15, 2021 in Uncategorized

Many people feel like their dogs are members of the family. We trust our dogs around our children, and many people rely on their dogs to protect their family and home. Unfortunately, not all dogs are properly trained or restrained, and when an unleashed or roaming dog attacks your own family pet, the results can be devastating. Dogs are frequently injured and even killed by other dogs, and owners may want compensation for their distress, loss, and to prevent the attacking dog from behaving similarly in the future. Fortunately, in certain situations, Illinois law allows people whose pets have been attacked by dogs to recover damages from the dog’s owner. 

Work to Actively Prevent Dog Attacks 

The old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is certainly true in cases where a dog is attacked and killed by another dog. The best thing dog owners can do to prevent dog attacks is to make sure their own dog is properly trained, leashed, and supervised - especially if it is a small dog, like a Minpin, Dachshund, or toy breed. This is especially true in places like dog parks, where unknown dogs are roaming about freely, and each dog’s owner is not necessarily paying attention. 

If you have a neighbor whose dog is allowed to wander onto your property, speak to your neighbor whether you believe the dog poses a threat or not. Even dogs who have never displayed aggression signs can unexpectedly attack dogs and people. 

What Can I Do If an Attack Already Happened? 

If your dog has been attacked and killed or seriously injured, you may be able to seek compensation if you can prove that the other dog’s owner was negligent. A dog owner may be held responsible if he or she allowed their dog to roam without a leash, failed to supervise their dog, or failed to control a dog who was known to be vicious or dangerous. 

Dogs are considered legal property, so an injured or killed dog may entitle its owner to financial damages. These include money to cover veterinary expenses and, if the dog is killed or unable to perform its service-dog duties, the cost of replacing the dog, and any specialized training the dog received. 

Proving that the aggressive dog’s owner is responsible can be challenging, but a skilled attorney with experience in litigating dog bite cases can help you collect evidence and build a strong case. 

Contact a Cook County Dog Bite Attorney

Even when a neighbor’s dog seems friendly, if they are not properly restrained they can attack, bite, and even kill another animal. If you have a dog or livestock that has been attacked by another dog, consider working with an experienced Chicago, IL dog bite attorney. At Dog Bite Injury Lawyer - Mevorah Law Offices LLC, we provide our clients with assertive representation and have successfully recovered financial compensation for the damage they have suffered. Call us today at 630-552-6860 to schedule your free consultation. 

Source: 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1704&ChapterID=41