View all Categories

Dog Bites Information Center

If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, we are here to help. Dog bites can result in severe physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. Tell us about your experience regarding your dog attack, and we will connect you with a specialized lawyer who will assist you in your case. Browse our articles below for more information.

Looking for an Injury Attorney?
Get Your Free Consultation Now!

Fill out our form

OR

1-855-935-3090

Popular Keywords

Categories

No Articles Found

View All Results

Get your free consultation now!

Your Name(Required)
Consent(Required)
SMS Consent
  • 100% Secure and Confidential
  • Privacy protected

EXPLORE MORE CATEGORIES

CAR ACCIDENTS

BICYCLE ACCIDENTS

TRUCKING & COMMERCIAL ACCIDENTS

RIDE-SHARE ACCIDENTS

SLIP AND FALLS

BURN INJURIES

SWIMMING POOL ACCIDENTS

DOG BITE ACCIDENTS

WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

OTHER INJURIES

We're Here to Help: Important Questions About Dog Bite Accidents

What happens when a dog bites someone?

When a dog bite accident happens, a few things typically kick into gear to protect everyone involved. Here’s what usually unfolds:

Investigation and First Steps
Animal control usually checks out the scene. They’ll talk to people involved, check the dog’s vaccination status, and look into whether the dog’s been aggressive before.

Safety Measures for the Dog
Most of the time, the dog stays with the owner—but there are conditions. The owner may need to put up signs, keep the dog in a fenced area, or use a muzzle in public to help prevent future incidents.

If Things Get More Serious
If officials feel the owner isn’t following the rules or if the dog poses a real danger—like in cases of severe dog bite injuries or repeated attacks—animal control might temporarily take the dog to ensure public safety.

What kinds of damages can you seek after a dog bite?

If you or someone close to you was injured in a dog bite incident, you may be entitled to compensation. These damages usually fall into two types: economic (financial) and non-economic (personal impact).

Economic Damages

  • Medical Bills: Covers doctor visits, hospital stays, medication, rehab, and more.
  • Lost Income: If you had to miss work during recovery, you may be able to claim that.
  • Physical Therapy: Ongoing rehab costs can be included.
  • Long-Term Disability: In serious fatal dog attacks or life-altering injuries, you might need home modifications or support services.

Non-Economic Damages

  • Pain and Suffering: For the physical and emotional toll.
  • Emotional Distress: Includes PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health effects.
  • Disfigurement: Scarring or lasting changes in appearance often come into play, especially in child dog bite incidents.
  • Loss of Enjoyment: If the injury stops you from doing what you used to love.
  • Loss of Companionship: Recognizes the strain serious injuries can put on relationships.

How does negligence apply in dog bite cases?

Not all dog bite cases are cut-and-dry. Sometimes, negligence becomes the key to holding someone accountable—especially in situations where strict liability doesn’t automatically apply.

When Negligence Matters. For example, if a dog knocks you off your bike and causes injury—even without biting—that’s likely a case of negligence.

Here’s what your lawyer would look for:

  • Duty of Care: Was the dog owner acting responsibly?
  • Breach of Duty: Did they fail to leash or control the dog?
  • Causation: Did their failure directly lead to your injury?
  • Actual Harm: Did you suffer physical, emotional, or financial damage?

Every situation is unique. What’s considered “reasonable” depends on the dog’s history. A calm dog might just need a leash, while a known biter may require stricter control.

What defenses do dog owners use in bite lawsuits?

If a dog bite lawsuit is filed, the dog’s owner may try a few different defenses to protect themselves. Here are some of the most common ones:

Trespassing
If the person bitten was on the property illegally, the owner might not be held responsible. However, if you were invited in or had a valid reason to be there, that defense may not hold up.

Comparative Negligence
This means the owner might argue that the victim partly caused the incident—by teasing the dog, for example. In many states, even if the victim is found partially at fault, they can still get compensation, though it might be reduced.

General Negligence
Even if strict liability doesn’t apply, owners can still be held accountable. Say a dog was roaming freely and bit a child outside the property—that could be a case of child dog bite negligence, and the owner might be liable under general safety laws.

When is euthanization considered after a dog bite?

Putting a dog down is never an easy topic, but sometimes it’s considered necessary to protect public safety. Here’s when that might happen:

  • Severe Injuries Without Warning: If a dog causes a serious injury—especially without provocation—authorities may look into euthanization.
  • Ongoing Aggression: In cases of repeated dangerous dog behavior, even after warnings, the risk of future attacks might lead to this outcome.
  • Illegal Use of Dogs: Dogs used for illegal activities, like dogfighting, are often not considered safe to rehabilitate.
  • Owner Refuses to Cooperate: If safety rules (like fencing or muzzling) are ignored after an incident, officials may intervene more aggressively.

At the end of the day, the goal is to avoid further harm. Most situations are handled with education and precaution, but when those don’t work, tougher steps may follow.

Skip to content