Maryland Animal Control Board Hearing Attorneys
When a domesticated pet is involved in an attack, an Animal Control Board hearing may be held to determine the danger of the animal. This is most common in dog bite attacks. As the victim of a dog bite injury, you have the right and are encouraged to request a hearing with your local Animal Control Board.
While an Animal Control Board hearing is separate from any civil or criminal lawsuits taking place, victims of dog bites can learn a lot of valuable information. Having your dog bite injury lawyer in attendance at an Animal Control Board hearing will allow you to hear more evidence and discover if the dog’s owner was in violation of any municipal laws. These rulings and determinations can help you build your case and claim full compensation for your injuries.
Saller, Ernstberger, & McElroy are experienced personal injury lawyers in Baltimore, MD. We serve citizens who are victims of a dog bite injury and are looking to claim their compensation. Talk to our team if you need an Animal Control Board attorney to help you attend, gather information, and put together evidence for your personal injury case.
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What Do Maryland Animal Control Hearings Cover
Animal Control hearings do not decide on civil or criminal matters involved in a dog bite incident. Their role is to determine if the owner of a dog involved in a dog bite violated any municipal laws and if the dog is a danger or threat to the community.
Determinations at Animal Control hearings may include restrictions placed on the animal to limit other dangerous interactions or injuries. Dogs and owners involved in a dog bite incident may be required to:
- Muzzle the dog in public
- Attend obedience classes
- Spay or neuter the dog to reduce aggression
- Fence in their property
- Have liability insurance for their animal
- Prevent the dog from interacting with vulnerable populations
The Animal Control Board Hearing Process
The victim of a dog bite incident must fill out a Request for a Hearing application with their local office of Animal Services. Once this request is received, a hearing date and time will be scheduled. All parties involved may have their lawyer present during the hearing.
Both the complainant (victim of the injury) and the respondent (the dog’s owner) will be given a chance to be heard. Either side can present evidence or witnesses to support the case. Witnesses will be sworn in. While written witness statements may be submitted in lieu of an in-person testimony, written statements may not be as heavily weighed. All Animal Control hearings are recorded.
When the hearing has concluded, the Animal Board meets in an executive session to reach a finding. Their Finding of Fact and Order will be presented to the County Attorney for final approval. Within 45 days, both parties will receive a copy of the order with the final determination.
Either party may request an appeal after receiving the order. Parties have 5 days to send in their appeal from the date of the issued order or 1 year from the date of the incident.
Why You Should Have Your Attorney Represent You at Animal Control Hearings
Dog bite injury lawyers can help represent you and your case at Animal Control hearings. As an Animal Control hearing attorney, our job is to help you present your case, gather evidence, and hit key points about the incident and the injury.
While the Animal Control hearing does not rule on civil or criminal matters, the final ruling and evidence presented can be used to aid in dog bite cases to gather compensation for injuries. As a victim of a dog bite injury, talk to Saller, Ernstberger, & McElroy Animal Control hearing lawyers to help with your case.
Contact Saller Today
If you are trying to get the compensation you deserve after a dog bite injury, you want an experienced dog bite injury lawyer on your side. As Animal Control hearing lawyers, we know how to help you present your case, represent your side of the story, and argue for an outcome that is in your favor.
Don’t go it alone. An experienced personal injury team, with our expert team, can help you collect evidence and fight for what you are owed. Just because an Animal Control hearing doesn’t determine your civil suit outcome doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. Have no regrets – contact Saller, Ernstberger, & McElroy today for assistance and representation, so there is no money left on the table.
FIRST TIME CONSULTATIONS ARE FREE.
Call today and hear back from us within twenty four hours, guaranteed.