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You may fully consider your pooch your best friend and may not ever expect him to hurt a fly, but dogs can and do bite, sometimes even dogs that you never expect to do so. As a pet owner, you have a responsibility to make sure everyone your dog comes in contact with is safe. In the event your beloved dog bites someone, you could be caught in the middle of an ugly personal injury claim in court and forced to hand over money for medical treatment costs, lost time off of work, and even pain and suffering. Take a look at three mistakes dog owners tend to make that put them at risk of being involved in a personal injury claim because someone has been bitten by their pet. 

Mistake: Allowing the dog to roam free in the neighborhood. 

Why? Perhaps one of the most important things you can do as a pet owner is to keep your pet contained, especially if you have a dog. If your dog makes it to a neighbor's yard and bites them or one of their guests or children, legally, you can be held responsible even though the injury did not happen on your own property. If you do not have a fenced yard, make sure you only allow your dog outdoors on a leash. 

Mistake: Not containing the dog when you have a house full of guests. 

Why? During special events and holidays, you may commonly invite friends and family members to your home for dinner or get together. At these occasional events in your home, it is best to either find a sitter for your dog or contain it in a kennel or on a leash. If one of your house guests gets bitten by your dog, they will have the right to file a personal injury claim against you. 

Mistake: Allowing strangers to pet your dog in public. 

Why? If you commonly take your pooch for walks in the park or with you as your running companion on city streets, it is important that you do not let every passerby stop to pet your pup or give it attention. If the dog gets alarmed because a stranger is near them, it could easily bite them. Even though you are in a public place and your dog is on a leash, the person who gets bitten could hold you responsible for their injuries. 

Are you wondering how to prevent legal problems tied to your dog? Visit a website like http://josephbwolfley.com for more information.