In Georgia, when someone gets bitten by a dog, one of the first things people look at is whether there was a sign. You’ve probably seen those signs before. They say things like “Beware of Dog” or “Guard Dog on Duty.” These warnings are often nailed to a fence or hung on a gate. The idea behind them is simple. If the owner tells others there might be danger, they think it will protect them from being blamed. But that’s not always how it works in a real case.
Dog owners hope a sign will keep people away or at least give them a heads-up. Sometimes, they think posting a warning gets them off the hook if someone gets hurt. But Georgia law has other ideas. Just putting up a sign does not erase a dog owner’s responsibility. If a dog is known to be dangerous or has bitten before, that warning sign doesn’t cancel out the risk.
Understanding What Georgia Law Says About Dog Bites
Georgia law is clear. A dog owner can be held responsible if they knew the dog was dangerous or if they didn’t take the right steps to stop a bite. What counts as “dangerous” depends on what the dog has done in the past. If the dog has shown signs of being aggressive, like biting someone or snapping at people, that can count.
Here’s where the warning sign comes in. Some courts in Georgia have looked at these signs and said they are proof the owner knew the dog was not safe. So instead of helping the owner, the sign might actually help the person who was bitten. It shows the owner was aware there was a chance someone could get hurt.
Why Warning Signs Don’t Always Protect the Dog Owner
Imagine someone walks up to a house with a “Beware of Dog” sign. If that person is delivering a package, reading the meter, or working for the city, they still have a right to be there. The law calls this being on the property “legally.” If the dog bites them, the owner might still be held responsible. The sign doesn’t block someone’s right to safety.
Adam Princenthal
Attorney At Law
David May
Attorney At Law
Matthew Wilson
Attorney At Law
Even if the sign was big and easy to read, it doesn’t always count as a full warning. Courts often look at whether the owner locked the gate, fixed the fence, or kept the dog on a leash. If those things didn’t happen, the sign might not matter. It’s not just about giving a warning. It’s about stopping a bite from happening at all.
When a Sign Might Actually Work in the Owner’s Favor
There are some cases where a sign might help the dog owner. If the person who got bit ignored a clear warning and went into a yard without permission, a court might say that person shares some of the blame. This is called “comparative fault.” In Georgia, if the person hurt is found to be more than 50% at fault, they can’t collect any money from the dog owner. That means if someone climbs a fence that has a warning and gets bitten, the sign could make a big difference.
Still, it’s rare for a warning sign to fully protect an owner unless they also took good care to stop the dog from hurting someone. Georgia courts usually look at the whole picture. That means the dog’s history, where the bite happened, what the injured person was doing, and how the dog was kept.
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Warning Signs and Children
Things change a lot when a child is bitten. Courts often protect children more than adults. Even if there was a warning sign, it might not matter if a child didn’t understand it or couldn’t read. In many cases, kids don’t notice signs or understand what they mean. If the dog owner knew children were nearby, they’re expected to take stronger steps to keep the dog away from them.
A simple sign is not enough when it comes to kids. If a dog owner knows there are children in the neighborhood, they have to be extra careful. That includes strong fences, locked gates, and making sure the dog is never alone where a child could get close.
What You Can Do if You’ve Been Bitten
If you or someone you care about has been bitten by a dog, don’t let a warning sign stop you from asking questions. The law in Georgia does not give dog owners a free pass just because they put up a sign. In fact, that sign might be one of the strongest pieces of proof that the dog was unsafe.
Take pictures of the sign, the area where the bite happened, and any injuries. Get the names of anyone who saw what happened. These details matter. They can help show whether the owner did enough to prevent the bite or not. A dog bite can leave more than scars. It can leave pain, fear, and big medical bills. You have the right to ask for help.
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What Makes a Strong Case After a Dog Bite
After a dog bite, what you do next can make all the difference. If there was a warning sign, it’s not the end of the story. The strongest cases are built on clear facts. That includes proof of the bite, medical records, pictures, witness statements, and signs of past trouble with the dog. Even if the dog had never bitten anyone before, signs of growling, lunging, or chasing people can show it was unsafe.
Sometimes dog owners say the person who was bitten scared the dog or did something wrong. That’s why it helps to have someone on your side who knows how these cases work in Georgia. These cases don’t always settle fast. Some may go to court. When that happens, it’s up to a jury to decide what’s fair. And juries want to see clear proof. That’s why taking action quickly is smart. The longer you wait, the harder it is to find the facts you need.
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When It’s Time to Get Legal Help
The law around dog bites and warning signs in Georgia can get confusing fast. Every case is different. Sometimes a sign helps the owner, and other times it helps the person who was bitten. What stays the same is this. Owners are supposed to keep others safe from their dogs. If they knew their dog could be dangerous and didn’t do enough to stop an injury, the law may hold them responsible.
At Princenthal, May & Wilson, LLC, we understand how stressful it is to deal with a dog bite. You might be hurting, overwhelmed, and unsure of what comes next. That’s why we’re here. If a dog bite has turned your life upside down, contact us. Let’s talk about what happened and figure out your next step. Don’t let a warning sign scare you off. We’ll help you find the truth and fight for what’s fair.
