Myrtle Beach Dog Bite Attorney

Myrtle Beach Injury Attorneys Advocate for Victims of Dog Bites and Attacks

Myrtle Beach is a popular vacation spot for local families, couples, and tourists who may bring their pets for an outing. While many view their dogs as family members, dogs are still animals and have instincts. A dog may bite if startled or senses a threat to itself or its owners, even if no actual threat exists. 

Many Myrtle Beach parks, beaches, and other public venues welcome dogs. A dog’s bite, however, is anything but welcome. If you’re injured by a dog this summer, talk to an experienced Myrtle Beach dog bite lawyer at the Steinberg Law Firm. 

Myrtle Beach Dog Bite Statistics

About 4.5 million Americans experience dog bites each year, and about 800,000 people need emergency room care.

Any dog can bite, and any dog bite can cause harm. Statistically, some breeds are listed more often in dog bite statistics than others. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, breeds most commonly listed in dog bite studies include:

• Pit bulls (22.5 percent),
• Mixed-breed dogs (21.2 percent),
• German shepherds (17.8 percent),
• Huskies and related breeds (15 percent),
• Malamutes (12 percent),
• Dobermans (9 percent),
• Chows (8 percent),
• Great Danes and St. Bernards (7 percent each).

While these breeds appear more often in medical statistics, any breed and dog size may bite. You can seek compensation for your injuries no matter what type of dog caused them. Pain, infection, and scarring are common. If you’ve been injured, talk to a knowledgeable Myrtle Beach dog bite lawyer. 

Common Dog Bite Scenarios in Myrtle Beach

In 2024, Horry County dogs accounted for more bites than all other animal types put together. Most of these dogs were pets or dogs that someone on the scene knew or owned. Only about 15 percent of dog bites each year are caused by stray dogs. The other 85 percent come from dogs with identifiable owners.

In Myrtle Beach, dogs and their owners are often out enjoying the weather and the beautiful sights in the area. A resident, worker, or visitor might encounter a biting dog in various places. 

Bark Parks

Myrtle Beach’s “bark parks” offer off-leash play spaces for dogs. The parks are fenced and offer separate areas for large and small dogs, according to the city’s website. 

Bark Park North is located next to the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA on 62nd Avenue North Extension. New Town Bark Park, a recent addition, is centrally located at 200 Collins Street. Bark Park South is on Mallard Lake Drive near Grand Park and the Market Commons. It’s the most extensive Myrtle Beach dog park, offering 14 acres of play area and a lake.

The Bark Parks have posted rules, including dog height requirements and owner supervision requirements. 

Other Dog-Friendly Parks

McLean Park on 2nd Avenue near S. Ocean Boulevard offers walking trails for leashed dogs and their owners. The North Myrtle Beach Sports Parks and Recreation Complex offers walking trails for leashed dogs and a fenced-in area for off-leash dog activities. For Surfside Beach residents and visitors, Surfside Beach Bark Park near the library offers access to dogs with Surfside Beach license tags (available at the town hall). 

Two state parks in South Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park, also allow dogs under certain rules. Myrtle Beach State Park prohibits dogs on the beaches from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 15 through September 15, but welcomes them at other times. Huntington Beach State Park allows dogs on walking trails year-round and on the south end of the beach, as long as they are leashed. Dogs are not allowed in buildings or on the north end of the beach. 

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk allows leashed dogs. In the summer, between May 1st and Labor Day, dogs may be on the boardwalk from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. During the rest of the year, dogs can visit at any time. Leash rules apply year-round.

Pet-Friendly Hotels and Restaurants

Several hotels, rentals, and restaurants in Myrtle Beach advertise themselves as pet-friendly. These venues are also more likely to include families with dogs.

These venues are more likely to have dogs. Yet, a dog bite can occur anywhere. No matter where you’re injured, it’s important to get prompt medical attention. Report the bite to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, and speak to an experienced Myrtle Beach dog bite injury lawyer.

Common Dog-Related Injuries

While dog bites are rarely fatal, they can cause permanent scarring and other injuries. Several injury types commonly appear in dog bite medical research and literature.

Puncture wounds, lacerations, and bleeding.  A dog’s teeth are adapted to tear and chew meat and bones from animals they catch in the wild. When a dog bites a person, these teeth can do significant damage to the skin and underlying tissues.

Dog bite wounds can be challenging to treat. Because a dog’s teeth can puncture the skin but may not tear it, the skin’s surface may appear only superficially damaged. Beneath the skin, however, damage to soft tissues, nerves, and muscles can be serious. 

Infections. Bites from dogs and other animals can transmit bacteria and viruses into the bloodstream. About ten to 20 percent of all dog bites result in infection. These infections can be difficult to treat because of the variety of infectious agents introduced in a bite.

Researchers also differ on the best way to manage infections after a dog bite. Recent research has included studies comparing the effectiveness of closing a dog bite wound immediately, versus leaving it open so that antibiotics can be applied more directly. Medical research tends to agree, however, that prompt treatment for potential infection is a must anytime a dog’s teeth or nails break the skin. 

Scarring. Several factors increase the likelihood of a dog bite leaving a scar. These include how severe the damage is, whether infection sets in, and what repair techniques are needed to fix the damage. Dog bites that require skin grafting, for instance, are more likely to leave scars than those that can be closed with a few stitches. 

Scars can leave long-term damage, including permanent changes to the look of the skin, problems with pain and sensation due to nerve damage, and movement issues from scar tissue or adhesions. While some of these issues can be reduced with therapy, scar tissue tends to be permanent. 

Broken bones. A dog bite can break bones if the dog’s jaw is strong enough. Dogs can also cause broken bones by knocking someone down, jumping on them awkwardly, or in other ways. 

Broken bones from dog bites and attacks are relatively rare. When they occur, however, they can cause ongoing problems with pain and movement. Some broken bones require surgery to repair. 

Psychological injuries. Psychological trauma from the attack, mental and emotional anguish related to scarring, and lingering fears of dogs are common in the aftermath of a dog bite, especially among children. In many cases, ongoing therapy is necessary to teach an injured person the tools needed to manage post-traumatic stress episodes, anxiety, and depression, which cannot always be fully resolved after a traumatic incident like a dog attack.

Many of these injuries have long-lasting implications. Prompt medical care is essential to minimize the risks from bleeding, secondary infections, and other damage. Talk to an experienced local attorney to learn more about your legal options after a dog bite in Myrtle Beach. 

What Responsibilities Do Myrtle Beach Dog Owners Have?

Dog owners must use reasonable care to control their dogs in a way that prevents injury to others. Many common-sense measures, like keeping a dog on a leash, teaching it not to jump on people, and fencing in one’s yard, all help dog owners meet this requirement. 

Dog owners must also learn about local ordinances and requirements and follow them. If a dog park posts leash rules or dog height requirements, for instance, dog owners must familiarize themselves with these rules. Chapter 4 of the Myrtle Beach Code of Ordinances includes rules for animal control, including obligations for dog owners.

Dog owners can protect themselves and others by:

• Socializing dogs and training them in proper behavior around people, including strangers and crowds.
• Always leashing their dog in public.
• Never leave a child or a stranger alone with their dog.
• Keeping a dog fenced or on a lead when at home. 
• Taking the dog to regular vet visits. A dog’s health can affect how they behave, and regular vaccinations help protect the dog and others. 

If a dog’s owner fails to use reasonable care to control their dog, and someone else is injured as a result, the injured person can seek compensation from the dog’s owner. 

How Do I Prove a Dog’s Owner Was at Fault?

South Carolina allows an injured person to hold a dog’s owner liable if:

• The injuries resulted from the dog biting or “otherwise attacking” the injured person,
• The injured person was in a public place or lawfully in a private place (such as in the owner’s yard with the owner’s permission), and
• The injured person did not provoke the dog.

An owner is liable for a dog bite even if the dog has never acted aggressively before. Owners who fail to use reasonable care to control their dogs, such as by allowing them to run off leash, can face liability if their negligence causes injuries. 

To prove a dog’s owner was at fault, you will need evidence of the owner’s behavior leading up to your injuries. If possible, get photos or video of the dog and owner at the scene immediately after your injury occurs. Take photos or video of your injuries as well. Keep the paperwork from your doctor’s visits and speak to an experienced attorney.

In some dog bite claims, police officers may say there is little they can do without clear evidence, such as photos or video. You may still file a civil lawsuit, however, even if police do not pursue a criminal investigation. Talk to a Myrtle Beach dog bite injury lawyer to learn more.

Compensation in a Myrtle Beach Dog Bite Lawsuit

South Carolina law holds dog owners responsible when a dog bites or “otherwise attacks” another person. A dog does not have to bite to cause injuries and all dog-caused injuries are covered, not just bites. 

Victims may seek compensation for the following: 

• Past and future medical expenses,
• Any past or future lost wages,
• Costs to repair or replace any damaged property,
• Physical pain and suffering,
• Mental and emotional trauma,
• Scarring and disfigurement.

To learn more about the compensation available in your case, talk to an injury attorney experienced in South Carolina law. Our attorneys know how to find and preserve evidence, get the medical care you need, and hold negligent pet owners accountable.  

Speak to a Top-rated Myrtle Beach Dog Bite Injury Lawyer 

A dog bite can cause lingering problems with pain, infection, scarring, and mental and emotional trauma. If you are facing these challenges, talk to an experienced Myrtle Beach dog bite injury lawyer today. The team at the Steinberg Law Firm can help. Contact us to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with one of our knowledgeable dog bite attorneys.