Your sweet “fur baby” is a part of your life and a part of your family. However, if “Fido” were to bite a neighbor or random passerby, how can you be protected from having to cover a potential dog bite injury claim out of pocket?

This is a common question, and for good reason. About 1 in 5 dog bites require medical attention, leaving you as the dog owner on the hook for the victim’s medical and physical therapy bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. The good news is that while you may be found at fault for your dog’s actions, your homeowner’s insurance may pay for these injuries under either your personal liability coverage or medical payments coverage.

Let’s look at some of the issues involved in dog bites and dog bite claims, whether you are the victim or not.

Important Info To Know About Dog Bite Injury Claims

An estimated 4.5 to 4.7 million people (half of whom are kids) are bitten in the United States each year. About 800,000 of those require medical attention, and as a result, U.S. insurers paid out $1.57 billion in dog-related injury claims in 2024 alone. Those numbers aren’t slowing down, and the results can range from emotional trauma to broken bones, crushing injuries, nerve damage, severe lacerations, and even permanent scarring and disfigurement.

In these and other scenarios, a dog bite injury claim is almost always filed. It is a form of personal injury legal action, and the goal is to hold the responsible party (for instance, the dog’s owner) accountable for their dog’s actions.

Just a few of the additional risks associated with a dog bite injury include:

Bacterial infections — A dog’s mouth can transmit bacteria that goes beyond the wound itself and can impact surrounding tissue. The infection rate for a dog bite is anywhere between 2-20% and can lead to abscesses, cellulitis, joint problems, and other infections throughout the body.
Risk location of bite wounds on the body — Bites on the hands, feet, and joints can cause complex tissue problems, leading to nerve damage, bone loss, disfigurement, and permanent scarring.
Rabies — It’s important to note that rabies is not as common in the United States. That said, it is not impossible, either. Rabies can be a fatal viral risk if the dog is unvaccinated.
Crush and laceration injuries — Large dogs are incredibly strong, and their jaws can inflict a lot of pressure on the human body when clamped down. This can cause risk to bones, tendons, and blood vessels.

So, will your homeowners insurance cover such a claim?

Every insurance carrier and policy terms and coverages are different, so it is hard for us to say with absolute confidence that they will cover it. Also, the factors involved in the dog bite incident will likely play a role, too.

Generally Speaking, Homeowners Insurance May Provide Liability Coverage If Your Dog …

Bites someone in your yard.
Bites a neighbor or someone else on their property
Damages a friend’s belongings while you visit their house with your dog.
Attacks someone else’s dog at your house or in another location (their house, while taking a walk, the dog park, etc.). That said, many policies handle animal-on-animal incidents differently.

Again, coverage depends on your specific homeowners policy, your insurance carrier, your state’s laws, and any policy exclusions. It’s important to review your coverage first to know what is and isn’t covered. If the injured party is seeking to have your dog declared dangerous, it is important to keep documentation about the incident and history of your dog to assist in a defense for their dog bite claim. Consequences can include muzzling your dog in public, moving the animal (and you) to a new jurisdiction, and even euthanasia.

If your dog is declared dangerous, it is a good idea to seek legal advice.

The bottom line is that you are responsible for your dog’s behavior in or out of your house. Their behavior and whether they bite or cause injury to another may mean liability on your part.

What If My Dog Bit a Trespasser?

Your dog biting an invited guest in your home versus that animal biting an intruder are different legal situations, and consequences can greatly vary. If a guest is bitten, they can be compensated for injuries under your homeowner’s policy. A trespasser being bitten can bring different legal actions. Because provocation of the dog is often considered in these cases, a trespasser may have taken on that risk of being bitten, and the dog was defending the home.

This can help absolve the homeowner from responsibility. A trespasser may have approached the dog aggressively or surprised the dog because they were not supposed to be there.

This could provide more justification for the injury as defense of the home or residents.

How Can I Reduce the Risk of a Dog Bite Injury Claim?

Do not pet an unfamiliar dog
Keep your dog on a leash
Avoid barking or growling dogs and stay calm if one approaches you
Do not antagonize an angry dog
Socialize your dog when they are young
Register your dog for behavioral training if there are known problems
Always supervise children with dogs and never leave them alone with one.
Teach your children to be gentle and cautious around dogs.

If your dog shows any type of aggressive behavior, seek professional help to train them. A Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), a veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB), or a qualified Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) are your best bets. The ASCPA has resources on its site.

Is There Anything I Can Do When a Dog Bite Injury Occurs?

Absolutely. In fact, time is of the essence in these situations. The first thing you and the victim need to do is check the wound to see if the skin is broken. Medical intervention is absolutely necessary, though it is possible to wash the wound with mild soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes while you are waiting to be cared for by a professional.

If you are driving to the hospital, apply consistent pressure over the wound to stop or limit additional bleeding. Your medical professional will need to bandage the wound with a clean, dry bandage and cover it with a bulkier dressing.

Additional general tips include:

Report aggressive dog behavior to your local animal services department.
Document what happened by writing an account of the incident and any subsequent treatment or interactions with the dog owner. If injuries are ongoing, keep a journal of medical treatment and any pain/suffering.
Check local laws as they relate to dog bites.
Be cautious in speaking with the dog owner’s insurance company. Seek legal counsel if anyone tries to pressure you into accepting their settlement for the dog bite claim.

Dog Bite Injury Claims and Local Laws Can Be Confusing

If you have experienced a dog bite injury as the victim or the at-fault party and are not sure where to turn when it comes to a potential dog bite injury claim, it may be time to seek legal advice. Dog bites range from minor cuts to severe injuries and can result in long-term need for medical treatment. They can also severely impact the at-fault dog owner, even when the owner thought they had done all they could to reduce the chances of a dog bite.

Legal advice can help streamline the process and get you the help you need to resolve the issue amicably. If your dog has bitten someone and they have filed a dog bite claim against you, there are so many situations and circumstances that can affect the outcome and consequences to you and your pet. Not to mention, pets are part of our family, and dealing with these situations can be emotional and confusing.

Don’t leave dog bite injuries to chance. Protect yourself, your pet, and the victim by getting good advice.

Call Keys Law Offices Today If You Are Involved in a Dog Bite Injury!

A dog bite injury can disrupt your life in an instant, leaving you with stress, pain, and unanswered questions about what comes next. At Keys Law Offices, we are determined to support individuals and families struggling with such issues and offer them advice and representation in dog bite claim cases and other personal injury cases. With deep knowledge of how these cases are handled, our firm will strive to get to the bottom of the case, develop a strong claim, and seek the financial compensation our clients deserve.

When you have a legal question, you must have an attorney who has both legal and practical experience to answer it. We understand the complex legal and regulatory issues involved in these cases and know how to investigate and litigate to ensure that our clients receive the compensation they deserve.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.

Assistance is available, and help is only a phone call away.