Many Frankfort area residents have a pet. Pets are treated like members of the family and most of the time are friendly. But, occasionally an unexpected animal attack occurs, which can be both physically and emotionally traumatic. Although it may seem like most animal bites are from dogs, cats can be vicious as well.
Cat bites are different than dog bites in several ways. One is that cat bites can occur from any cat, regardless of how friendly they are. Cats have extremely sharp claws and teeth and often play hard. Cat bites can be dangerous. Their teeth often have bacteria on them that can get injected into a person’s tissue and become infected. An infection can usually be treated, but it can also result in even more serious medical conditions for an unsuspecting victim.
There are no strict liability laws for cat bites. If the cat has bitten someone before, the owner may be held responsible if they bite another person. If this approach doesn’t apply to a person’s cat bite injury, they may be able to pursue a claim under the theory of negligence by showing the cat owner had a duty of reasonable care and a breach of that duty led to the bite and subsequent injuries.
If a person has been seriously injured by a cat bite they may want to speak with a legal professional. It is important to review the circumstances surrounding the bite to determine if negligence has occurred. When a cat bites a person, the cat’s owner should be held responsible, if appropriate. Compensation may be sought for medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages.
