Dallas Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog bites are sudden, frightening,  and often unpredictable, leaving the victim with physical and psychological trauma. As dog ownership increases in North Texas, especially in Dallas, the number of dog bite incidents also grows. If you or a family member has been a victim of a dog bite, you might be unsure about your rights, what will happen to the dog, and how to claim compensation. Our dedicated team at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys understands your concerns and is ready to help you with the guidance and advocacy you need to move forward.

Below, we’ll explore everything you need to know about dog bite injuries, the liability laws in Texas, what happens to dogs in bite claims and how a Dallas dog bite lawyer at Chandler Ross can help you get the compensation you need to get your life back on track.

Severity of Injuries Caused by Dog Bites

Dog bites are more than minor scratches or bruises. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that almost 4.7 million dog bites occur in the United States every year, 800,000 of which require medical attention. Children are the most likely to suffer serious and sometimes lifelong injuries from a dog or animal attack. 

A dog bite can result in:

• Deep puncture wounds, lacerations, and crushing injuries
• Infections from  bacteria such as Pasteurella, MRSA, and even rare cases of rabies
• Scarring and permanent disfigurement, especially when the face, arms, or legs are involved
• Emotional distress, including anxiety, nightmares, and post-traumatic stress
• Long-term disability, impairment and permanent loss of function

The physical trauma is often just the beginning. Medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing care can add significant financial stress on your family. In cases where a child is bitten, parents often incur costs for counseling or plastic surgery, as well. 

Texas Dog Bite Law: The “One Bite Rule” and Negligence

Texas has no specific statute that addresses dog bite liability. Instead, Texas adopted the one bite rule and negligence standard from the Texas Supreme Court in Marshall v. Ranne, 511 S.W.2d 255 (1974).

Here’s what this means for your dog bite case:

• If a dog has bitten someone or shown aggression before, the owner is most likely to be considered to have known that the dog was dangerous. After the first incident, they can be held strictly liable for any subsequent attacks without any fault on their part.
• If the dog had never bitten anyone before, the victim must establish that the owner was negligent, for instance, when the dog was not leashed, fenced, or controlled.

Negligence may be established in the following situations: when an owner lets his dog run in the neighborhood, when he takes an aggressive pet to a public park without adequate restraint, or when he fails to follow leash laws.

What is Strict Liability?

Texas courts may impose strict liability if the dog is considered to be “dangerous” due to its previous behavior. In these cases, the victim does not need to establish negligence—just that the dog was known to be dangerous and caused the injury.

What Happens to the Dog After a Bite Incident?

A common worry for many dog bite victims—especially if the dog belongs to a friend, neighbor, or family member—is: “What happens to the dog if I report the bite or file a claim?” This is dependent on the circumstances and the local animal control policies. But typically, in Dallas, here is what happens:

Reporting and Investigation: Animal control will usually investigate the incident following a dog bite. If the dog’s vaccination status, health or behavior is in question, the animal may be quarantined for observation, particularly if there is a rabies concern. The dog is generally returned after this observation period.

Dangerous Dog Designation: If the dog bite is a repeat offense for the animal, the dog may be classified as a “dangerous dog” under Texas law. This places stricter requirements on the owner, such as secure fencing, warning signs, and liability insurance. Again, the animal is generally returned to its owner.

Will the Dog Be Euthanized?

Euthanasia is rare and it is generally only done if the dog is a serious and ongoing threat to public safety, is unmanageable, or is infected with rabies. The dog’s fate usually depends on its history and the severity of the attack. It is important to note that filing a lawsuit or an insurance claim does not mean the dog will be put down. In fact, this rarely happens. Animal control professionals and the courts try to strike a balance between public safety and humane animal treatment. Generally, if the animal is euthanized it is at the decision of the owner and not some governmental entity.

How a Dallas Dog Bite Lawyer at Chandler Ross Can Maximize Your Compensation

When you’re recovering from a dog bite injury, the legal paperwork, the insurance companies, and the emotional fallout can become an overwhelming burden. Chandler | Ross Injury Attorneys can help you with compassionate guidance and aggressive representation to get you the maximum financial recovery. 

What Compensation Can You Recover?

We fight for every dollar that you are entitled to, through every possible avenue of recovery. Remember, the insurance company wants to minimize its expenses even if you’re suffering from:

• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity if you are unable to work
• Pain and suffering (physical pain, emotional distress, PTSD)
• Scarring and permanent disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life or activities you can no longer pursue
• Emotional anguish and mental health care costs.

While the insurance company’s lawyers are focused on their bottom line, we’re focused on your future and making sure you get the compensation you deserve to move forward from your injury.

How the Top-Rated Dallas Dog Bite Lawyers at Chandler Ross Build A Case

• Thorough Evidence Gathering: We investigate the bite incident, get witness statements, medical records, animal control reports, and research any prior complaints regarding the animal..
• Clear Liability Demonstration: We seek to demonstrate either the animal’s known dangerousness or the owner’s negligence using legal precedent and expert testimony when necessary.
• Skilled Negotiation: Insurance companies will try to pay out as little as possible. Period.  This is their job, and they are skilled at it. We know their tactics and will negotiate fiercely so you do not settle for anything less than you deserve.
• Trial-Ready Advocacy: If negotiations stall, our team is fully prepared to take your case to trial, through litigation. This is a complex and very involved process.  We will discuss this with you and if we decide this plan of action is appropriate, we will proceed. Insurance companies know that many firms will never go to trial, or even proceed with litigation, and this will affect their offers.  Our team has been there and we know what it takes to win in court. 
• No Upfront  Fees—Guaranteed: You pay nothing unless we win your case. Our contingency fee arrangement allows you to heal without having to worry about the bills. You focus on getting better and we handle the legal aspects. And again, we only get paid if we recover something for you so there is zero risk.

The Real Risks: Physical Injuries, Disease, and Emotional Trauma

Dog bite cases are about more than just legal arguments—they’re about your health, your family’s financial well-being, your physical and emotional well-being, and recovery. A dog bite can cause a wide variety of medical problems and some of them can be fatal if not treated right away.

Physical Injuries:

• Deep cuts, punctures, nerve damage, and broken bones

 Reconstructive surgery may be required for injuries affecting the face and neck as well as limbs.

• Permanent scars and loss of functionality.

Diseases from Dog Bites:

• Rabies: Although infrequent, this lethal virus should be taken seriously. The Texas Health and Human Services reports hundreds of confirmed cases in animals each year. Rabies is most commonly found in bats, but there are several confirmed rabies cases in domesticated animals like cats and dogs annually.
• Capnocytophaga: This bacteria can cause severe disease and is particularly concerning for people with compromised immune systems.
• Pasteurella, MRSA, Tetanus: These and other infections are all possible after a bite and require prompt medical attention.

Emotional Impact:

• Many victims of dog bites- whether an adult or child – will experience long-term psychological damage that leads to animal phobias, fear responses and nightmares. 

After any dog bite incident, the victim should visit a doctor immediately. Any wound, no matter how minor, can transform into a serious infection. Contact the Dallas dog bite lawyers at Chandler | Ross for a free consultation. During this consultation, we will discuss your case with you honestly and give you a straightforward answer as to what we believe the case is worth. We will explain your legal options, explore all avenues for recovery, and fully answer any questions you may have. This is all done at no charge, and there is zero obligation to move forward.    

Dog Bite Injury FAQs

Will a dog bite lawsuit lead to the dog being put down?

An injury claim made against a dog owner does not automatically lead to the death of their pet. In fact, this almost never happens. The dog receives evaluation from local authorities (generally animal control) to determine its behavior alongside its past history and the specific circumstances of the bite. A dog usually stays with its owner after its first incident unless it displays dangerous behavior. If the animal has displayed dangerous behavior before, it may be quarantined before it’s returned to the owner. It’s only in exceptionally rare situations when the animal poses a direct danger to public safety or shows signs of rabies infection that a dog may be euthanized. And this decision is often a decision made by the dog owner, and not some governmental authority. 

Should I perform any specific actions immediately after a dog bites me in Dallas?

First, get to a safe place and thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water.  See you doctor or go the ER. For serious injuries or uncontrolled bleeding, immediately call 911. A person should get medical help immediately, regardless of the wound’s appearance, because infection prevention is critical. You should ask the dog owner for vaccination records while simultaneously notifying Dallas Animal Control and the local police about the incident. Contact a qualified personal injury attorney and make sure all of your questions are thoroughly and completely answered before signing anything.  

Can I still obtain compensation if the dog that attacked me has never attacked anyone previously?

Yes, you are very likely eligible for compensation. Victims of dog bites in Texas can receive compensation from the owner when the owner is negligent in some way, including but not limited to inadequate dog control measures, non-compliance with pet restrictions, and failure to notify visitors about specific dog behaviors. The victim of a dog bite can hold the owner accountable even when the animal has never bitten anyone or indicated any type of dangerous behavior. In fact, approximately 50% of the dog bite cases handled by Chandler | Ross Injury Attorneys are first-time bites, and the animal is returned back to the owner unharmed. The law acknowledges that animals, like humans, can sometimes get spooked and/or momentarily act out of character and this almost never results in the animal being euthanized. 

Who pays for my damages if I file a dog bite claim—does the owner pay out of pocket?

In most cases, the compensation comes from the liable dog-owner’s home or renters’ insurance policy. So by filing a claim for a dog bite, you are rarely “suing” or going after any individual personally, but rather making a standard claim on the homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy, which protects them in situations like this.