Leash laws in Albuquerque are strict for dogs and other pets. Dog owners who fail to keep their dogs leashed in the city can be fined. If someone else’s dog bites and injures you, you can seek compensation for your damages based on the dog owner’s negligence. If you find yourself in this difficult situation, the experienced dog bite attorneys at NMAF have the legal skill and insight to help.
When dog owners want to enjoy public spaces with their pets, the regulations of the City of Albuquerque require pet owners to leash their dogs. Failure to comply can lead to fines of up to $500 and even criminal charges. The goal is to allow everyone to enjoy the city’s outdoor spaces safely.
Dog owners must keep their pets on a leash that is no more than eight feet long whenever they are on city streets or in public places. The only exceptions include when they have the pet in a dog park that is designated by the city for the purpose, when the animal is in a secure enclosure, or when the dog is in a properly secured vehicle that is also properly ventilated.
Additionally, the person who is in control of the leash must maintain control over the dog. This includes preventing the pet from approaching other animals or people, which can be dangerous.
Finally, those with dogs are expected to be responsible pet owners. This entails cleaning up after them and considering the overall effect they have on the environment.
If you have an Albuquerque neighbor who does not take leash laws seriously or if there is a dog in your neighborhood that runs free, you can do something about it. Report the matter by calling 311 or submitting an online form through the city. Unleashed dogs can attack, and by contacting the authorities, you could help prevent an unfortunate incident.
New Mexico is a one-bite state. This means that dog bite claims are based on the pet owners’ knowledge of their dogs’ aggression before the events in question, or on their negligence.
If the owner knew or reasonably should have known that their pet was vicious, that it had vicious tendencies, or that it had a natural inclination to be vicious, strict liability applies. For example, if the animal attacked and bite someone in the past, this requirement is met. At this point, the owner is held strictly responsible for the victim’s physical, financial, and emotional losses.
If the dog owner’s negligence caused the victim to be injured, prior knowledge of the animal’s aggression is not required. This generally relates to maintaining inadequate control over the dog—for example, by failing to comply with Albuquerque leash rules—in a situation where the owner could reasonably expect a problem to arise.
The state does not attach liability to the dog owner if their pet was provoked by the victim, whether or not Albuquerque rules about restraining dogs were adhered to. However, for the pet owner not to be held liable for their pet’s dangerous aggression, the victim must have not only provoked the dog but must have also been aware of its vicious tendencies.
If a dog bites you, there are serious risks involved. These include dangerous infections and tissue damage to the affected area. A seasoned attorney could spare no effort in pursuit of the compensation you deserve, particularly if Albuquerque leash laws were disobeyed in your case. Compensation might be available for losses, including medical expenses, which may stretch into the future, lost income, and physical and emotional pain and suffering.
Leash laws in Albuquerque are meant to prevent dog bites, but some dog owners do not follow them. The attorneys at NMAF recognize how challenging dog bite injuries can be and are well-equipped to help guide your claim toward an optimal outcome. Contact us today to learn more.
