PETCO may be where the pets go, but is a pet-friendly policy safe for all customers?

Large pet supply stores like PETCO and PETSMART make it a policy to allow pets to shop with their owners. PETCO says that allowing pets in the store is fun for the dogs and perfectly safe. But is this true? Can it really be safe to shop in an environment that hosts pit bulls, Rottweilers, and other aggressive dogs?

The truth is that there have been plenty of dog bite attacks in both PETCO and PETSMART. In 2006, a Rottweiler attacked a six-year-old who was shopping with her mother in PETCO in New York. The child needed a four-hour surgery to reattach her upper lip. This is not an isolated incident.

In 2008, a seven-year-old was mauled by a dog when he picked up a bone to give to a dog near the check-out counter. The dog bit off half the child’s face.

Taking an aggressive dog out of its familiar surroundings and bringing into contact with other animals and people is potentially dangerous. Dogs are more likely to attack when they are in an unfamiliar environment.

Who is responsible when a dog bites a customer in a Wisconsin pet store? This is a difficult question to answer. In the case of the six-year-old girl, a New York court ruled that the dog owner, not the store, was liable. A dog owner who knows he has an aggressive dog should not bring his pet into a store where small children may be shopping.

However, in other states, judges have ruled that the store is liable. A customer should not have to watch out for potentially dangerous dogs while shopping.

A Wisconsin dog attack is a big deal. Dog attacks cause both physical and psychological injuries. The scars from both types of injuries can last a lifetime. Pet stores consider the safety of their patrons to be just as important as profits.

If you or your child is bitten by a dog in a “pet-friendly” store, it is important that you contact a Milwaukee dog bite attorney immediately. Wisconsin dog bite law says that owners are liable if a dog attacks. However, the store may also be to blame. An experienced personal injury attorney can determine who is to blame for the dog attack and make sure that you receive compensation for all your injuries. To schedule an appointment with our dog bite lawyers in Milwaukee, please contact Hupy and Abraham at 800-800-5678.