By Phil Ayers  |  Associate  |  Seattle Office

Dog bites can be traumatic and painful, and they happen more often than many people realize. Most dog owners don’t realize that if their dog bites someone, they may have very few legal defenses. In many cases, they are automatically on the hook for the injuries their dog causes, regardless of whether they were negligent pet owners or not.

Dog Owner Liability

Under tort law, a dog owner may face "strict liability" for any injury caused by their dog, meaning the owner can be held responsible even if they weren’t careless or didn’t know the dog had a tendency to bite.

 According to the Insurance Information Institute, 29 states hold dog owners liable for dog-related injuries, with a few exceptions (like if the dog was provoked or the person bitten was trespassing). Depending on where the bite occurred, liability can fall under one or more of the following legal frameworks:

 1. Strict Liability Statutes

In many states, dog-bite laws make the dog owner automatically liable if their dog bites or injures someone. It doesn’t matter if the dog has never bitten anyone before, never showed any signs of aggression, or if the owner took precautions—if there’s an injury, the owner is on the hook.

 2. The “One Free Bite” Rule

Some states still follow the historic “one free bite rule.” This means an owner might avoid liability for their dog harming someone if they had no reason to know their dog was dangerous. However, if the owner had any reason to know their pet could be dangerous, the owner has a legal duty to prevent future harm of that type and will be liable for damages their dog inflicts on another.

3. Negligence

In these cases, an owner can be held liable if someone is injured due to the owner’s failure to act reasonably, such as not leashing their dog in public or letting it roam freely. If the owner’s carelessness causes an injury, they may be held responsible.

 Are There Any Exceptions?

Most states do not hold dog owners liable if a trespasser is injured on private property. However, if a dog attacks someone who is lawfully on the property, like a delivery person, neighbor, or passerby, the owner may be required to compensate the injured party for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost income
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Property damage

Speak to an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today

Getting bitten by a dog can be traumatic for everyone involved in the incident. If you have been bitten or your dog has harmed someone, it is important to connect with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. GLP Attorneys has supported clients with their personal injury cases for over three decades. GLP Attorneys has experience achieving justice for clients who have been injured by animals, products, in car accidents, and more. 

If you have been injured in an accident, call our attorneys at 800-273-5005 or email us at to schedule a free lawyer consultation.