How can you hold a pet owner liable for a dog bite in Connecticut?

On Behalf of | Jul 18, 2024 | Personal Injury |

“Don’t worry. They don’t bite.” This expression, meant to reassure, has become a meme. Why? Because most pet owners forget that dogs aren’t always friendly to everyone. Others forget about their dogs altogether. The reality is that dogs can bite even if they’re not aggressive. When a dog bite causes severe injuries and the owner won’t take responsibility, you can take legal action to hold them accountable.

Different states have different animal bite laws. Most have strict liability statutes for dog bites, but others don’t. When filing a personal injury lawsuit or an insurance claim, you must prove the owner is at fault.

What does “strict liability” mean in Connecticut?

Connecticut follows strict liability. This means the dog owner is responsible for the attack and resulting damages, even if they didn’t do anything wrong.

However, you likely don’t have a case if you were bitten while:

  • Doing something illegal, like committing robbery or trespassing on the dog owner’s property
  • Purposefully provoking the dog through teasing, torment or abuse

Additionally, Connecticut General Statutes makes exemptions based on additional provisions that:

  • Presumes victims under 7 years old cannot commit wrongful acts, such as trespassing
  • Prohibit claims against police dog handlers unless exclusive control over the animal during the incident is proven

The bottom line is that pet owners bear most of the responsibility. Even in other states with more forgiving negligence rules, dog owners are typically held liable when their pets attack others.

When the dog bite claim goes to trial

Your case may go to trial if the owner disputes your version of the incident or claims they aren’t responsible for the damages you suffered. Connecticut doesn’t follow the one-bite rule, so you’ll only need to prove that:

  • The person sued owns the dog
  • You were lawfully present at the place where you were bit
  • You suffered harm
  • The dog bite caused the harm

Supporting documents like a dog bite injury report containing evidence of your injuries can strengthen your claim. Ask your lawyer and insurance company about your claim options and potential compensation.

Some dog bite victims are reluctant to hold pet owners accountable. You might hold back because you’re friends with the owner, fear the owner or want to protect the dog. However, helping enforce dog bite laws and promoting responsible pet ownership will benefit not only you but your community and dogs living in harmful environments.

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