Adopted by the City of Albuquerque in 2016, Angel’s Law aims to protect the general public from vicious dog attacks. The main goal of the lawmakers who drafted this legislation was to protect young children and other individuals lacking the ability to defend themselves from harm.

It’s believed that by holding individuals both civilly and criminally accountable for the actions of their vicious dogs, that it will have a significant impact on improving the safety and health of the most vulnerable sectors of our population.

Under the law, a dog is labeled as being potentially dangerous if it has already caused harm to either an individual or their companion animal before. In that case, the injury said to have been inflicted on either has been deemed to be one step down from the most serious type.

Additionally, any dog that displays aggressive behaviors, such as unprovoked chasing of another or threatens to jump the fence, may be labeled as being potentially dangerous as well.

In contrast, under Angel’s Law, dangerous dogs are described as ones that have been known to act aggressively without any provocation of any sort. These dogs have also inflicted serious injury or death on others. Any dog, with the exception of police dogs, that is observed either actively menacing or chasing an individual or their companion animal without some type of prior provocation, may be deemed to be dangerous.

Owners of a dog may be labeled as irresponsible in cases in which he or she exhibits behavior believed to be representative of someone who is not capable of either humanely or safely possessing an animal.

The city keeps a listing of known dangerous dogs, including its name, description and location on its website as one of the ways of trying to protect its residents’ safety.

If you’re been seriously injured or know someone that has been killed as the result of having been bitten or attacked by a vicious dog, then you may wish to seek out the guidance of lawyer. In reviewing the details of your case, an experienced Albuquerque dog bite attorney can advise you of your rights to reimbursement for medical or funeral costs, lost wages and other expenses.

A Santa Fe County woman recently filed a lawsuit against the Albuquerque Isotopes baseball club, seeking compensation for injuries she suffered when struck by a ball while attending one of their games. It would seem she faces an uphill legal battle. Fans who have been hurt – even severely – at sporting events have had a tough time getting restitution from professional teams, stadium owners, and other parties who might be held liable. According to Ballpark Digest, this is largely because state and federal courts recognize that “the potential dangers of attending a baseball game are well known” and that adequate warning is provided on signs throughout most parks.

Still, it is far from impossible to find success in such lawsuits. Injured fans have, cumulatively, been awarded millions of dollars for injuries suffered at sporting events. Yet it remains unclear how the present case will play out.

Did the Isotopes fail to warn fans about the dangers inherent in baseball games?

At the Isotopes’ game, the woman in question was “hit by a baseball while eating popcorn,” resulting in “painful injuries to her hand.” The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that her lawsuit alleges that the club failed “to erect protective screening to prevent baseballs from entering the seating area” and “failing to warn attendees of…the danger of sitting along the third base line.”

If the courts find that the club indeed neglected its duty to keep the premises reasonably safe, then the suit may indeed be successful. The odds are somewhat long, however. An article in the New York Times details the extent to which ball clubs have, traditionally, been shielded from liability. Cases where fans have suffered grievous injuries – concussions, shattered skulls, permanent blindness – have typically ended in favor of teams, leagues, and stadium owners, while the victims get no help for medical bills.

Indeed, as many news items have said, Major League Baseball has pushed back against simple-seeming measures – such as expanding and enhancing the netting around stadiums – that would make it safer to attend games.

What about injuries outside the ballpark?

The question of liability at sporting events is a unique one. But it’s important to keep in mind that, generally speaking, property owners are obligated by law to keep their premises safe. If a guest, visitor, or other user suffers an injury, it is often the case that the property’s owner or manager can be held legally responsible.

As with all areas of the law, it is impossible to predict what will happen in every given scenario. This is why if an individual in New Mexico is injured, whether at a ball game, in the stadium parking lot, or elsewhere, it is important to consult with an attorney to learn what legal remedies might be available.