Attacked by a Family Dog in New Jersey: Can I Sue?

According to recent studies, family dogs are responsible for more than half of all fatal attacks. Although it might seem unthinkable for a canine to turn on its owners, this is actually the most common type of dog attack in the United States. Over thousands of years, humans have continuously attempted to “breed out” savage wolf genetics – but dogs will always retain their wild roots. No amount of training or love will remove a dog’s willingness to bite and maul, and these animals can suddenly turn on their owners without any warning whatsoever. After a family dog bite in New Jersey, you might be wondering if you can sue. Under what circumstances might this be possible?

Family Dog Claims Infant’s Life and Injures Both Parents

In March of 2024, it was reported that a family dog had snapped at a New Jersey home, killing an infant and severely injuring both parents. Woodbridge police arrived at the scene to find a child with serious injuries that eventually proved fatal. The mother was found nearby with serious injuries, and she was immediately hospitalized. In addition, the father was transported to a nearby hospital with unspecified injuries. 

In the following days, additional details emerged. The breed in question was a pit bull, and the animal was euthanized by the authorities within days of the attack. Police are still investigating the circumstances of the attack, and it is not clear what triggered the animal to attack and injure the three victims. The parents may have suffered disfiguring wounds to the face and body, as these injuries are common in animal attacks. As a result, they may struggle with not only the crippling grief of losing a child but also the psychological self-image issues associated with permanent facial scars. 

One key detail may be the time of the attack. Police say that they arrived at about 6:30 AM, which suggests that the dog may have become violent shortly after waking up. Although this is purely speculation, the infant child may have attempted to rouse the dog from its slumber. Upon waking suddenly, the animal may have been unsure of its surroundings. Faced with a confusing and unfamiliar situation, the dog’s “fight or flight” reflex may have kicked in – causing it to become violent toward everyone in its vicinity. This type of situation shows that even with sufficient training, a dog can easily forget its owners and become violent toward them. 

Can You Sue for an Attack Caused by the Family Dog?

It may be possible to sue for an attack caused by the family dog. However, there are numerous potential challenges associated with these lawsuits. Compared to a lawsuit against the owner of a dog that is not yours, it may be more difficult to seek compensation. This is because you can only hold owners liable for dog bites. If you are the owner of the dog, filing a dog bite lawsuit would be impossible – as suing yourself makes no sense. 

That being said, you could still sue a family member for allowing a dog attack. The most obvious example of this scenario involves divorced parents. For example, your former spouse may have purchased a pit bull after your divorce. If they have shared custody of your child, this new dog might come into contact with your little one every weekend. If the dog becomes violent and harms your child, you would be justified in suing your ex for allowing the dog attack to occur. 

In this case, you could sue for an attack caused by the “family dog.” However, you should consider how this might affect your financial future. If you receive spousal support or child support from your ex, a lawsuit may leave them in dire financial straits. As a result, a family court may allow your ex to reduce these payments. 

Find a Qualified Dog Bite Lawyer in New Jersey

If you have been searching for a dog bite lawyer in New Jersey, look no further than Lependorf & Silverstein. Over the years, we have helped numerous dog bite victims in the Garden State pursue compensation for medical expenses, missed wages, emotional distress, disfigurement, and other damages. Although you may face certain challenges when suing for injuries caused by the family dog, these lawsuits are still viable under certain circumstances. The only way to determine whether this is possible is by speaking directly with a dog bite lawyer in New Jersey. Book a consultation today to discuss your unique circumstances.