Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed July 02, 2019

Although dogs are usually pretty good pets, sometimes they end up attacking someone. Dog bites and animal attacks can leave a person seriously and permanently injured, and can sometimes even lead to death. Dog bite and animal attack victims can also face expensive medical bills and lost wages. Liability for domestic animals usually depends on whether the animal's owner knew the animal had a propensity for violence.

There are some states, however, that hold a dog owner liable regardless of whether or not the owner knew of the dog's dangerous nature. FindLaw's Dog Bites and Animal Attacks section provides the basics of dog bite liability and how animal attack lawsuits work. In this section, you can also find articles outlining the elements of a dog bite case, animal attack damages, and how to prove an owner's knowledge of an animal's viciousness.

Different Legal Standard for Different Animals

Many states have enacted "dog-bite laws," which impose strict liability on dog owners for injuries caused by their dog. Strict liability means that the dog owner is liable for injuries caused by his or her dog, regardless of whether or not the owner was personally at fault. If there is no dog-bite law that imposes strict liability on the dog owner, the injured party must prove that the owner knew (or should have known) that his or her dog was vicious. Regardless of whether there is a dog-bite law or not, an injured person might not be able to recover if the dog owner shows that the injured person provoked the dog, and sometimes if the injured party was trespassing.

People who have wild animals as pets are often subject to strict liability because wild animals are considered inherently dangerous. For this reason, even if the pet owner tries his or her best to protect people from his or her wild animal, if a person is injured by the animal, the owner can still be held liable. Horses and other domestic animals, on the other hand, are generally treated under the standard rule of negligence. Thus, the owner will usually be held liable if he or she knew (or should have known) that the animal had dangerous tendencies.

Proving a Dog's Vicious Propensities

In states that do not have strict liability for dog bites, the injured party needs to prove that the animal had vicious propensities that the owner knew or should have known about. There are various factors that a plaintiff can use to help his or case in proving that the dog had vicious propensities. A good way to show that the owner knew that the dog could be dangerous is if there were previous complaints brought to the owner's attention. If the owner didn't do anything after receiving the complaints, he or she could be held liable for injuries because of his or her negligent behavior. Actions by the owner, such as often confining or muzzling the dog, could also be used as indications that the owner was aware that the dog could be dangerous.

Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been injured by a dog bite or animal attack, you may want to consult with a personal injury attorney to find out your legal options. It's in your best interest to contact an attorney soon after your injury because there are time limits for filing a personal injury lawsuit. You can also learn more about this legal area on our animal bites legal answers page.

Dog Bites & Animal Attack Overview

Pets can be wonderful companions, neighborhood terrors, or both. This article goes over the law surrounding animal attacks and lists the first steps to take after you have been bitten.
Animal Bites: Who Pays Damages?

When a dog bites someone else, the owner is technically liable. However, the owner's insurance policies often have terms that cover animal attacks. Read on to find out when insurance policies might cover these damages.
Proving Knowledge of a Dog's Viciousness

Proving that a pet's owner knew that the pet was vicious is a key part of dog bite law suits. This article contains some information that might convince a court of the animal's viciousness.

Dog Bite Resources

Take a look at this article for a list of government agencies, first aid tips, information on how to prevent dog bites, and other useful links to important dog bite resources.
Types of Animal Bite Injuries

Much of the law on animal attacks focuses on dog bites, but dogs are not the only animals known to injure humans. Learn how the type of animal affects the bite injury case in this article.
Dog and Animal Bites FAQ

Get started learning about animal bite cases by reading through this helpful list of FAQ's. Read about who is responsible for the damages, whether you can still bring a claim if you were bitten in someone's home, and more.