Dog Bite FAQs

Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if the wound appears minor. If you can, identify the dog and its owner, obtain contact and vaccination information, report the incident to local authorities or animal control, photograph your injuries, and collect witness information. Continue documenting your recovery with medical records, bills, and photographs. Learn more about what to do after a dog bite.

Ohio has a specific dog bite statute that may allow an injured person to recover compensation without proving that the dog owner knew the animal was dangerous. The facts still matter, including who owned or controlled the dog, whether the injured person was lawfully present, and whether provocation occurred. Learn more about Ohio dog bite claims.

Potentially responsible parties may include the dog owner, a person who keeps or harbors the dog, a landlord in limited circumstances, a property owner, a business, or another party whose negligence contributed to the attack. Determining liability often requires reviewing ownership, control of the dog, where the attack occurred, witness statements, and animal control records.

Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include medical expenses, future treatment, reconstructive surgery, therapy, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent scarring or disfigurement, and other economic and non-economic damages.

Helpful evidence may include photographs of the injuries and attack location, police or animal control reports, medical records, witness statements, vaccination records, information identifying the dog owner, damaged clothing, missed-work documentation, and photographs showing how scarring develops over time. Surveillance footage and records of previous incidents involving the dog may also be important.

No. Ohio generally does not follow the traditional “one-bite rule.” A dog owner may potentially be held responsible even if the dog had never bitten or attacked anyone before. Depending on the circumstances, both statutory and negligence claims may be available.