All pets must be restrained to the property of the owner, however, unsterilized animals have additional requirements to insure that the animal does not stray.
1
Dog Bites Are Bad
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 40 seconds someone in the United States seeks medical attention for a dog bite-related injury. In 1994, some 4.7 million incidents were reported in the United States with nearly 800,000 people requiring medical treatment for dog bite-related injuries. Most of the victims are children under 13 years old with children five to nine years the most vulnerable.
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Dog bites are largely preventable
Dog bites are largely preventable and prevention must begin with the owner and how the owner interacts with the dog. A dog should undergo socialization with all members of the family, people outside the family, and other animals. Nevada has started a school-based dog safety program BOW WOW “OW!” an 8-minute dog safety video. The video provides basic information on dog communication and addresses more than 12 common situations where children could have a negative experience with dogs and then illustrates the proper behavior children should possess while in each situation
3
Dog Bites Can Be Catastrophic
Narrative comments in the medical records note common circumstances in which children and adults incurred dog bite--related injuries. Examples among children included a girl aged 18 months who was attacked by the family dog in the backyard and sustained an open depressed skull fracture, mandible fractures, and avulsion of an ear and part of a cheek; a boy aged 4 years who was bitten on the lip by a dog that was guarding her pups; and a girl aged 3 years who was bitten on the face when trying to take food away from the family dog. Examples among adults included a man aged 34 years who sustained an avulsion laceration to his left thumb while trying to break up a fight between his dogs.
4
Responsible Dog Ownership includs Training and Socializing
In addition to educating children properly, prevention efforts should encourage responsible dog ownership, including training, socializing, and neutering family pets. Previous research has indicated that the majority (80%) of dog bites incurred by persons aged <18 years are inflicted by a family dog (30%) or a neighbor's dog (50%) (9). During 1997--1998, a total of 75% of fatal dog bites were inflicted on family members or guests on the family's property (10). In 2001, an estimated 16,476 (8%) dog bites to persons aged >16 years were work-related, including some that occurred while persons were visiting homes as part of their work activities.
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"Dangerous" Dog Laws
Additional strategies to encourage responsible pet ownership and reduce dog bites include regulatory measures (e.g., licensing, neutering, and registration programs and programs to control unrestrained animals) and legislation (7). "Dangerous" dog laws focus on dogs of any breed that have exhibited harmful behavior (e.g., unprovoked attacks on persons or animals) and place primary responsibility for a dog's behavior on the owner. Because a dog's tendency to bite depends on other factors in addition to genetics (e.g., medical and behavioral health, early experience, socialization and training, and victim behavior), such laws might be more effective than breed-specific legislation (7). These prevention strategies require further evaluation.
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Owners Should Be Aware They Are Responsible For The Actions Of Their Dogs
So how do we deal with biting dogs? To start with, we must remind ourselves that biting is a natural activity of all dogs, and that there is potential for injury. All dog owners must understand this and must be made aware that they are fully responsible for the actions of their dogs. I am not convinced that this is universally understood by dog owners, nor am I satisfied that every dog owner takes the necessary steps to train and socialize their dog. Owners need to be encouraged to actively work at inhibiting biting behaviour when dogs are young. As well, all dogs should be socialized to accept children, regardless of whether or not there are children living with the dog. Adults without dogs need to learn that dogs don't understand "people's rights,"
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Breed-Specific Attacks
Dog attacks on humans that appear most often in the news are those that require the hospitalization of the victim or those in which the victim is killed. Dogs of all sizes have mauled and killed humans, although large dogs are capable of inflicting more damage quickly. When dogs are near humans with whom they are familiar, they normally become less aggressive. This is because familiarity with their 'pack members' lowers the likelihood of attack. However, it should not be assumed that because a dog has been with humans, it will not attack anybody - even a family member. Caution needs to be taken when approaching new dogs for the first time. Intact males also bite more frequently than females or neutered males.[5]
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Two Catagories of Dogs In Nevada
Nevada splits dogs that attack into two categories: Dangerous - If, on two separate occasions within an 18-month period, the dog acts menacingly to a degree that a reasonable person would feel the need to defend himself, whenever the dog is off the owner’s premises and/or not confined in a cage, pen or vehicle. Vicious - If, without provocation, the dog kills or inflicts serious bodily harm to a person. Also, if the owner is notified of the dog’s “dangerous” status and the dog continues to act menacingly to a degree that a reasonable person would feel the need to defend himself, whenever the dog is off the owner’s property and/or not confined in a cage, pen or vehicle.
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It Is Illegal, In Nevada to Own a Vicous Dog
In Nevada it is illegal for a person to own a “vicious” dog. If a dog is considered “dangerous,” the owner must provide proper training and socialization for the dog to prevent future attacks. By allowing a dog to become “vicious,” the owner is putting other people in harm’s way and can be found liable for injuries and death that may result.
10
Liability of Dog Owners
In Nevada, a dog owner's negligence allows you to recover damages for a dog bite injury. And There is Liability of Owners with Vicious Dogs * It is illegal for a person to own a vicious dog. * If a person illegally owns a vicious dog and the dog attacks someone and causes substantial bodily harm, the owner or keeper is guilty of a felony that carries a term of one to four years in prison. The judge may also impose a fine up to $5,000 and order the dog destroyed.
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The One Bite Rule
The one-bite rule. This misleadingly named rule makes an owner legally responsible for an injury caused by a dog if the owner knew the dog was likely to cause that type of injury - for example, that the dog would bite. The victim must prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. If the dog is clearly dangerous, well that's how you got bit, then it is not an issue
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Strict Liability
More than half the states have made dog owners liable if their dogs cause injury.Sadly, not Nevada, but don't worry, if you have been bitten the owner is often negligent. Commonly called dog-bite statutes, many of these laws cover all kinds of dog-inflicted injuries, not just bites. They are called "strict liability" statutes because they impose liability without fault - that is, an injured person does not have to prove that the dog owner did anything wrong. (The only exception is Hawaii, where an injured person must still prove the dog's owner was unreasonably careless.) The theory behind these laws is that anyone who has a dog should be responsible for any damage it causes, period. It doesn't matter that the owner was careful with the dog, or didn't know it would hurt anyone, or conscientiously tried to keep it from injuring anyone.
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If the dog is growling or aggressive It Is Likly Dangerous
"If the dog is growling or aggressive, that's pretty much a tip-off that you could have a problem dog," said Dan Hattaway, a specialist on home insurance at State Farm. Mr. Hattaway said State Farm did not think blacklisting of breeds was an effective way to screen for danger. "Simply by naming a breed," he said, "people are screening out a fair percentage of good dogs. Just because someone is a Rottweiler fancier doesn't mean they have a dangerous or aggressive dog." (From a March 30, 2002 New York Times article.)
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Homeonwer Defences
If a dog bites someone in response to constant teasing and/or cruelty by that person, the dog's owner can gain a better legal position by notifying the person (or parents in the case of children) that he/she has observed the teasing or cruelty. This notification should be made both verbally and in writing by mail (certified mail is recommended). The owner should keep a record of the events. If the actions are serious enough (rocks thrown, hitting with sticks, etc.), the incidents should be reported to the local police and/or animal control department and humane organizations. By setting up this "paper trail," the owner is documenting animal cruelty, for which the law could mandate psychological treatment or possibly jail for the offender, as well as establishing a legal defense if the provoked dog bites in defense.
15
Insurance Companys Try Not To Pay Dog Bite Claims
Dog owners, be aware that an insurance company could potentially find a way to impose a dog exclusion or cancel a policy, depending on the municipality's vicious dog laws (invoked if a dog has bitten) or any breed bans in place. For example, an insurance company could cite exclusions in a homeowner's policy about not covering damage or injury caused by a dog who was not supposed to be in the county
16
It is Extremely Difficult To Get Insurance From Most Insurers on A Dog That Has Bitten
Here are some companies that pet owners report are dog-friendly and tend not to discriminate by breed: State Farm, Travelers, Liberty Mutual, United Services Automobile Association, Erie, Fireman-s Fund, Kemper, Chubb Group, Allstate and Safeco Corp. In addition, an insurer that specializes in animal-related liability policies is Lester Kalmanson Agency Inc. at 407-645-5000. It is extremely difficult to get insurance from most insurers on a dog that has bitten, according to Tom Terfinko at the Florida Department of Insurance, as quoted in a January 2001 article in the Orlando Sentinel. For safety and liability reasons, it's essential for pet owners to teach dogs not to bite and to eliminate situations in which a dog might be prone to biting.
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Who do I report a dog bite to, In, Clark County, Nevada?
Contact the animal control agency in your community or the police. http://www.accessclarkcounty.com/DEPTS/ADMINISTRATIVE_SERVICES/ANIMALCONTROL/Pages/animalcnt.aspx
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Rabies Vaccinations, In, Clark County, Nevada
All dogs, cats and ferrets within the unincorporated area of Clark County are required to be vaccinated for rabies. Dogs and cats over one year of age receive a vaccination which is good for 3 years after the date administered. Dogs and cats under one year of age receive a vaccination which is good for one year from the date administered. Ferret: Vaccinations expire one year after the date administered.
19
Animal License, In, Clark County, Nevada
Clark County no longer issues, or requires, animal licenses. All dogs, cats, and ferrets within the unincorporated area of Clark County are required to have one of the following forms of identification. Microchip Device, Current Owner Identification Tag, or Rabies Tag.
20
Breeding Cats and Dogs, In, Clark County, Nevada
Anyone who breeds pets for sale in our county is required to have a pet fancier’s permit . Permit holders are required to limit the number of pets kept on premises and to have microchip identification devices implanted on adult cats (8 months or older) and dogs (one year old or more). Permit holders also need to include their permit number in advertisements offering dogs or cats for sale. Clark County code allows you to keep up to three dogs and three cats on your property. If you have more than three cats and three dogs, you must have a pet fancier’s permit . A pet fancier’s permit costs $25 and needs to be renewed annually.The Pet Dog Fancier Permit allows any residence to have up to six dogs, over 12 months of age, provided that any dog which is not spayed or neutered is currently engaged in dog shows, or field trials. See Clark County Animal Control Ordinances for more information.
21
Noise Annoyance, In, Clark County, Nevada
Noisy animals are misdemeanor violations which if witnessed by an Animal Control Officer may result in the issuance of a citation and criminal prosecution of the owner. Should an Animal Control Officer issue a citation for a noisy animal the complainant's name will be listed on the citation as the affected party and you will be required to testify in court to the habitual nature of the noise. This is also why we suggest that you speak to these parties and try to work together as neighbors before filing a noisy animal complaint. We would suggest that you try to resolve this with your neighbors. It is only with your cooperation a case can go forward towards resolution. If Animal Control is unable to witness the violation the complaint will be forwarded to the Neighborhood Justice Center for mediation. Should mediation fail to resolve the problem you will be provided with a District Attorney's packet.
22
Dog Restraint, In ,Clark County, Nevada
All pets must be restrained to the property of the owner, however, unsterilized animals have additional requirements to insure that the animal does not stray.
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Animal Bites, In, Clark County, Nevada
All warm blooded animals involved in a bite to a human being must be quarantined for ten days to insure they are free from rabies.
