Many people in Las Vegas and Clark County own dogs. Lots of these individuals love to take their dogs out with them in public. In a perfect world, all of these dogs would be well-behaved and non-threatening toward people and other animals. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

That’s why Clark County has enacted a leash law. The ordinance states that all dogs which are not on the premises of their owners must be leashed at all times. Many cities, such as Henderson and North Las Vegas, have leash laws on the books as well. However, dogs are not required to be on leashes in certain designated rural areas of Clark County. In addition, there are some off-leash “dog parks” scattered throughout the greater Las Vegas area where dogs are permitted to run freely.

The idea behind these laws is to reduce the possibility of dog bites, attacks, and dog bite injuries. If a dog is on a leash and under the control of its owner, it is much less likely to break free and attack someone potentially causing facial lacerations, eye injuries, hand injuries, etc.

Of course, the dog’s owner is still liable for any injuries that his or her dog may cause to another person – whether the dog is leashed or not. In addition to possible criminal penalties or fines, the owner of a dog which has bitten or mauled someone can be the target of a personal injury lawsuit in civil court.

If you or someone you love has suffered dog bite injuries, you should obtain the services of a qualified personal injury attorney after you have received the necessary medical attention.