Accountability for Loose and Unleashed Dog Attacks
When dog owners allow their animals to roam freely — whether through broken fences, open gates, missing leashes, or simple carelessness — innocent people pay the price. Loose dogs are responsible for a disproportionate share of serious bite injuries, as they are more likely to be unsupervised, stressed, and aggressive when encountering strangers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies loose and unrestrained dogs as a primary risk factor for dog bite injuries, with roaming dogs posing danger to pedestrians, children playing outdoors, delivery workers, and other pets.
At Roden Law, our loose dog attack attorneys represent victims throughout Georgia and South Carolina. We investigate how the dog escaped containment, whether the owner had prior notice of the dog’s behavior, and whether local leash and containment laws were violated — building the strongest possible case for maximum compensation.
Leash Laws in Georgia and South Carolina
While Georgia does not have a statewide leash law, the state’s Responsible Dog Ownership Law (O.C.G.A. § 4-8-20 et seq.) imposes strict containment requirements on owners of classified dangerous and vicious dogs. Most Georgia municipalities — including Savannah (City Code § 5-1-5), Darien, and surrounding communities — have enacted local leash ordinances requiring all dogs to be leashed or confined when off the owner’s property.
South Carolina also lacks a statewide leash law but provides strict liability for dog bites in public places under S.C. Code § 47-3-110. Major South Carolina cities including Charleston, Columbia, and Myrtle Beach maintain local leash ordinances. Violation of these local laws constitutes negligence per se — meaning the owner is automatically considered negligent — making it significantly easier to establish liability in a dog bite case.
How Dogs Escape Containment
Our investigations frequently reveal a pattern of owner negligence that allowed the dog to escape:
- Broken or inadequate fencing: Fences with gaps, holes, or sections too short to contain the dog
- Open or unlocked gates: Gates left open by residents, visitors, or service workers
- Failure to leash: Dogs allowed outdoors without a leash or left tied to inadequate tethers that break
- Open doors and windows: Dogs escaping through unsecured entry points
- Previous escapes ignored: History of the dog getting loose without the owner taking corrective action
- Inadequate containment for dog’s size and strength: Lightweight chains, thin leashes, or flimsy enclosures unsuitable for large, powerful dogs
Establishing Liability for Loose Dog Attacks
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7), proving a loose dog attack claim requires showing the dog was dangerous or vicious, the owner knew or should have known of the danger, and the owner carelessly managed the dog or allowed it to go at liberty. Evidence of prior escapes, animal control complaints, and leash law violations all support these elements.
South Carolina’s strict liability statute (S.C. Code § 47-3-110) provides a more direct path to recovery — the owner is liable for any attack in a public place regardless of prior knowledge of the dog’s dangerousness. For attacks on private property, the victim must show they were lawfully present (including by implied invitation, such as delivery workers, mail carriers, and invited guests).
Injuries from Loose Dog Attacks
Attacks by loose, unsupervised dogs tend to be more severe because there is no owner present to intervene. Common injuries include severe bite wounds and tissue avulsion, multiple bite sites from sustained attacks, disfiguring injuries to the face and extremities, broken bones from being knocked down, and psychological trauma including PTSD. Children and elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable to serious injury from loose dog attacks.
Additional Liable Parties
Beyond the dog owner, other parties may share liability for a loose dog attack. Landlords who knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous and failed to require containment measures may be liable. Homeowners’ associations that failed to enforce pet policies, dog walkers or pet sitters who lost control of the animal, and property managers responsible for maintaining fencing and gates may also bear responsibility. Our attorneys investigate all potential sources of liability and insurance coverage.
Why Choose Roden Law for Loose Dog Attack Cases
Our attorneys have deep experience investigating and litigating loose dog attack cases throughout Georgia and South Carolina. We obtain animal control records, prior complaint histories, and evidence of leash law violations to build compelling cases. We handle your claim on a contingency fee basis — no fee unless we win.