We are a nation of dog lovers - more than 75 million dogs are kept as pets in this country.

But dog attacks are a serious and startlingly regular occurrence - more than 4.7 million Americans are bitten by a dog each year, or about 1 in every 50 people.

Getting bit by a dog is the fifth-most frequent reason for visiting an emergency room, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.

And, in 2007, Georgia was second only to Texas for the number of fatal dog attacks. Four of the nation's 17 fatal attacks- or about 25 percent--occurred right here in our state.

Dog bite litigation can be complex and the medical issues often involve scarring and young children.

Half of the 800,000 serious dog-bite injuries each year occur in young children, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

And Georgia is one of the states where dog bite law remains complex and can favor the dog owner over the victim. While many states have one-bite rules or strict liability for dog owners, Georgia is a hybrid state governed by mixed statute.

In Georgia, a dog-bite victim can be required to prove that the dog was running loose in violation of a local leash law or that the dog owner knew his dog was vicious or had a propensity to bite people.

Proving viciousness requires three elements: The victim is required to prove that the animal was dangerous or vicious; that the defendant knew it; and that the defendant was careless in handling of the animal or allowed it to wander free.

Proving a dog was in violation of a leash law requires the victim to prove the dog was not heeling or on a leash as required by local law and that the defendant was careless in managing the animal or allowed it to go free.

If you or someone you love has been attacked by a dog, the personal injury and wrongful death lawyers at Commander+Pound offer free appointments to discuss your rights.

Serious Lawyers+Serious Injuries=Serious Results