{"id":375987,"date":"2019-05-21T12:30:06","date_gmt":"2019-05-21T17:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-dog-bite-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-04-10T13:47:12","modified_gmt":"2024-04-10T18:47:12","slug":"pennsylvania-dog-bite-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-dog-bite-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania Dog Bite Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pennsylvania Dog Bite Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

There are no winners when a dog bite attack occurs. Being a dog bite victim is a frightening experience. A dog bite attack<\/a> can both harm and traumatize someone. It\u2019s also a difficult experience for the dog owner, who may now face a dog bite injury lawsuit<\/a> for what their furry friend did. Whichever side of the situation you find yourself on, it\u2019s important to understand the Pennsylvania dog bite laws and know what to expect in the aftermath of the attack<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Each state handles a dog owner’s liability<\/a> differently. In this article, we\u2019ll take a deep dive into the Pennsylvania dog bite laws, learn who is liable after a dog attack, and give you an idea of what to expect on both sides of a dog bite case.<\/p>\r\n

Dog Bites in Pennsylvania – Who Is Liable?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Pennsylvania uses strict liability law<\/a>, but only when it comes to medical costs. This means that the owner is liable<\/a> for all the victim’s medical expenses without the victim showing that the owner was negligent. Pennsylvania doesn\u2019t have an explicit \u201cone-bite rule\u201d in place. So, you\u2019re liable for a victim\u2019s medical treatment whether or not your dog has bitten someone before.<\/p>\r\n

In most dog bite cases, the owner\u2019s homeowners\u2019 insurance will cover the victim\u2019s medical bills. Check your policy yourself or ask your insurance company to make sure your liability insurance covers dog attacks.<\/p>\r\n

Negligence in Dog Bite Cases<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

For collecting damages other than medical expenses, the dog bite victim has to prove that the dog\u2019s owner was negligent<\/a>. This means they didn\u2019t show the amount of care to keep their dog from harming others that any other reasonable person<\/a> would have in the same situation.<\/p>\r\n

Some of the possible types of damages recoverable in a negligence suit include:<\/p>\r\n