A dog at large is a double danger to any bicyclist. First, a dog can chase down a bicyclist and bite him or her. An attack by a dog can also knock a bicyclist to the pavement. Not only can the road cause serious damage from a fall, but a vicious dog has an even better opportunity to inflict more harm on the victim.
Illinois Dog Bite Law
In some states, every dog gets one free bite before its determined to be potentially vicious. Illinois, like the majority of states, is a strict liability dog bite state. 510 ILCS 5/16 states as follows: “If a dog, or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person in the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby.” Those damages might include the following;
- Past and future medical bills.
- Past and future lost earnings.
- Any permanent disfigurement.
- Any permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering.
Don’t Kick at an Attacking Dog
A dog might wait for a bike rider to pass and then attack the rider from the rear. Other dogs might rim into a street from a yard and attack a rider from the side. Sprinting away might work with some dogs, or spraying from a water bottle might work with some others. Some riders keep pepper spray clipped to their handlebars. Whatever you do, don’t kick at the dog. You’re likely to be bitten, and fall over. You might make your situation and injuries worse.
Chicago’s Dog Restraint Ordinance
In Chicago, every dog owner must keep his or her dog in a fenced area outside of their home or otherwise leashed if there is no fence in accordance with section 7-12-030 of the Chicago Municipal Code. If an injury or death occurs as a result of a violation of the ordinance, fines can range between $1,000 and $10,000, plus restitution. Even a dog at large that doesn’t cause any harm can result in a $300 fine for its owner.
if you were bitten or otherwise attacked by a dog while riding a bike in Chicago, call 911 and report it. The dispatcher will give you further instructions. If the dog broke your skin, get to an emergency room right away and follow the instructions of emergency room personnel too. Then, contact us. You may be entitled to seek damages if you can identify the dog and its owner.