Indianapolis Animal Law Attorney: Animal Attacks and Cruelty

Have you gotten tangled up in a legal situation involving an animal in Indianapolis? You need proper representation by an animal law attorney. Get your consultation from the Law Offices of Mark Nicholson today.

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What Is Animal Law?

Animal law is the area of law dealing with incidents involving (typically vertebrate) animals. It involves both criminal cases, such as when someone is accused of animal cruelty or neglect, and personal injury cases, such as when someone is attacked by an animal. 

Animal law is complex and not always straightforward. For example, killing an animal can be a Level 6 felony and result in 6 months to 2.5 years of jail time and/or a fine of $10,000 — unless you were hunting, slaughtering livestock, carrying out veterinary duties, etc. 

There are two main instances when you would want to hire the services of an animal law attorney in Indianapolis. You will need criminal representation if they have accused you of animal cruelty or neglect. If an animal has bitten you, you will need personal injury representation to fight for compensation for your injuries.

Animal Cruelty Cases

Animal cruelty cases involve a wide range of activities. The most basic is neglect or improperly caring for an animal. You shouldn't beat, torture, or abandon an animal. You shouldn't interfere with law enforcement animals or search and rescue animals. 

Animal fighting is prohibited and they can even charge you just for being present at a dog fight, regardless of if you had direct involvement with the animal. Bestiality or forcing a child to participate in it are both serious offenses as well. 

If you have been accused of any of these or other offenses involving the neglect or abuse of an animal, you already know the stigma. Society is not kind to people who abuse animals. To clear your name, you need representation from an Indianapolis animal attorney.

Animal Attack Cases

Have you been the victim of an animal attack? It may be possible to hold the dog's owner liable for your injuries, depending on the circumstances. If they can prove you were trespassing or otherwise provoked the dog, they will not be held liable. To receive proper compensation for your injuries, you need an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer with experience in animal law. 

Indiana's One-Bite Rule

Unfortunately, sometimes pets commit attacks on humans. In Indiana, dog owners are not liable for dog bite injuries if they had no reasonable reason to believe their dog would attack. In other words, if the dog has never bitten anyone or showed aggressive behavior in the past. However, they can be liable if they "knew or should have known" that their animal could be dangerous.

There is one key exception to this rule. If a dog bites a mail carrier, law enforcement officer, or another government official who is peaceably carrying out their duties, the owner can be held liable. 

Hire an Animal Law Lawyer

All this to say, what do you need to know about animal law? If you're caught in the middle of a case involving animals, you need proper representation by an animal law attorney. Contact us here at the Law Office of Mark Nicholson for help whether you've been accused of animal cruelty or are the victim of a dog bite. Call 317-667-0718.

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