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A dog bite can change your life in an instant. One moment you’re walking along the Erwin Park trails or through one of McKinney’s newer neighborhoods off Highway 380, and the next you’re dealing with puncture wounds, emergency care, and a stack of medical bills. If a dog attacked you or someone you love in or around McKinney, Texas, you have legal rights, and Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is here to help you use them. Our team serves clients throughout the North Texas region from our office at 110 N. Woodrow Ln, Ste 120, Denton, TX 76205. Call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.
Table of Contents
- Texas Dog Bite Law: What the “One-Bite Rule” Means for McKinney Victims
- What Qualifies as a “Dangerous Dog” Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822
- Common Injuries and Damages You Can Recover After a McKinney Dog Attack
- The Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims in Texas
- What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite in McKinney
- Why Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys Is the Right Choice for Your McKinney Dog Bite Case
- FAQs About McKinney Dog Bite Lawyers
Texas Dog Bite Law: What the “One-Bite Rule” Means for McKinney Victims
Texas follows what is commonly called the “one-bite rule,” which means a dog owner can be held liable when the owner knew, or reasonably should have known, that the dog had dangerous tendencies before the attack occurred. Unlike states with strict liability laws, Texas requires you to show the owner had prior knowledge of the dog’s aggression. This distinction matters enormously for how your case is built.
There are three main paths to holding a dog owner accountable in Texas. First, you can show the owner had actual knowledge that the dog previously bit someone or behaved aggressively. Second, you can prove the owner acted negligently in failing to control the dog. Third, you can show that the owner violated a local ordinance or statute, which creates what the law calls “negligence per se,” meaning the violation itself is treated as evidence of fault.
McKinney has local animal control ordinances that require dogs to be restrained at all times. If a dog owner was in violation of a municipal leash law in Texas, the attack can be considered evidence of their negligence per se. That means if a dog was running loose in a McKinney neighborhood, near Towne Lake Recreation Area, or on a public sidewalk, and it attacked you, the owner’s failure to comply with the leash requirement is powerful evidence in your favor.
Texas law also provides a criminal dimension. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.005, commonly known as “Lillian’s Law,” a dog owner commits a felony when the owner fails to secure the dog with criminal negligence and the dog makes an unprovoked attack off the owner’s property that causes serious bodily injury or death. A third-degree felony charge applies when serious injury results, and the charge rises to a second-degree felony if the victim dies. This criminal exposure often motivates dog owners and their insurers to take civil claims seriously.
Working with personal injury lawyers who understand both the civil and criminal sides of Texas dog bite law gives you a real advantage when negotiating with an insurance company or taking a case to the Collin County Courthouse.
What Qualifies as a “Dangerous Dog” Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822, Subchapter D, defines a dangerous dog as one that makes an unprovoked attack causing bodily injury to a person outside a secure enclosure, or that behaves aggressively toward a person in a way that causes a reasonable fear of imminent attack. This classification triggers a specific set of legal obligations for the dog’s owner.
Once a dog is classified as dangerous, the owner must register the animal with the local animal control authority, keep the dog restrained on a leash or in a secure enclosure at all times, and carry liability insurance of at least $100,000 to cover potential injuries. Under Section 822.045, an owner who fails to comply with these requirements commits a Class C misdemeanor, which escalates to a Class B misdemeanor if the owner has a prior conviction under the same statute.
McKinney’s own animal control ordinances align with and build on the state framework. The City of McKinney treats it as a public nuisance when an owner brings to the city a dog that has been declared dangerous outside of McKinney under Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code or a substantially similar local ordinance. This means a dog with a history of dangerous behavior in another city does not get a clean slate when its owner moves to McKinney.
When a dangerous dog attack is reported, a court must hold a hearing within ten days of the warrant being issued to determine whether the dog caused serious bodily injury or death. Under Section 822.003, if the court finds the dog caused a person’s death, the court must order the dog destroyed. If the court finds the dog caused serious bodily injury, destruction is within the court’s discretion unless certain defenses apply, such as the victim trespassing in a secure enclosure.
If you were attacked by a dog that was already classified as dangerous, or one that clearly should have been, connecting with experienced dog bites attorneys who know how to use Chapter 822 to your benefit is a critical first step.
Common Injuries and Damages You Can Recover After a McKinney Dog Attack
Dog attacks cause a wide range of injuries, and many are far more serious than people expect. Puncture wounds, lacerations, broken bones from falls during an attack, nerve damage, and severe scarring are all common outcomes. Children, who are statistically among the most frequent victims, often sustain injuries to the face and neck because of their height relative to larger dogs.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, an estimated 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year, with an estimated 800,000 requiring medical attention, and children account for approximately half of all dog bite victims, with the elderly being the second most common group. These numbers reflect how widespread and serious the problem truly is.
Beyond the physical injuries, dog attacks carry real psychological consequences. Many victims develop anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and a lasting fear of dogs that affects their daily lives. If your child was attacked near a McKinney school or at a neighborhood park, the emotional impact can be just as significant as the physical wounds.
Texas law allows dog bite victims to pursue compensation for medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and in cases involving children or catastrophic injuries, long-term rehabilitation costs. Homeowners insurers paid out $1.86 billion in liability claims related to dog bites and other dog-related injuries in 2025, and the average cost per claim nationally has risen 209.2% from 2016 to 2025, due to increased medical costs as well as the size of settlements, judgments, and jury awards given to plaintiffs. Most dog bite claims are paid through the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy.
If you suffered a serious injury, such as a traumatic wound requiring reconstructive surgery or an injury that left permanent scarring, the value of your claim is likely higher than you think. The dog bite attorneys at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can help you identify every category of damage you are entitled to recover. Past results in other cases cannot guarantee the same outcome in your matter, as each case depends on its own facts and the applicable law.
The Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims in Texas
Texas law gives dog bite victims two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline comes from Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to recover any compensation at all, regardless of how serious your injuries are.
Two years may sound like plenty of time, but the reality is that building a strong dog bite case takes time. Evidence needs to be gathered quickly. Witness statements, animal control records, photos of the attack location, and the dog’s history of prior incidents are all easier to obtain shortly after the attack. Animal control reports from the McKinney or Collin County animal control authority may be critical to your case, and those records can become harder to access as time passes.
There are limited circumstances that can toll, or pause, the two-year clock. If the victim is a minor, the statute of limitations may not begin running until the child reaches the age of 18. However, waiting is rarely in a victim’s best interest, because evidence can disappear and witnesses’ memories fade.
If your attack happened near well-traveled areas like the McKinney Performing Arts Center, along the Chisholm Trail, or in a residential area off Eldorado Parkway, acting quickly gives your attorney the best chance to document the scene and gather supporting evidence. Connecting with dog bite attorneys as soon as possible after an attack protects your claim from the very beginning.
Do not wait to see how your injuries develop before calling a lawyer. The legal process takes time, and starting early always works in your favor.
What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite in McKinney
The steps you take in the hours and days after a dog attack directly affect both your health and your legal claim. Acting quickly and carefully can make the difference between a strong case and one that is difficult to prove.
First, seek medical attention immediately, even if the wound seems minor. Dog bites carry a real infection risk. Approximately 5 to 15 percent of dog bites can become infected with bacteria such as rabies, Capnocytophaga, Pasteurella, and Staphylococcus. A medical record created right after the attack also documents the connection between the bite and your injuries, which is essential evidence in any legal claim.
Second, report the attack to McKinney Animal Services or the Collin County animal control authority. This creates an official record and may trigger an investigation into whether the dog qualifies as dangerous under Chapter 822. Ask for a copy of the incident report.
Third, gather as much information as possible at the scene. Get the dog owner’s name, address, and contact information. Take photos of your injuries, the location of the attack, and any conditions that contributed to it, such as a broken fence or missing leash. If anyone witnessed the attack near a McKinney neighborhood, a local park, or a business, get their contact information as well.
Fourth, do not give a recorded statement to the dog owner’s insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
The dog bite lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handle the legal side so you can focus on your recovery. Call us at (940) 800-2500 to speak with our team about your case today.
Why Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys Is the Right Choice for Your McKinney Dog Bite Case
Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is a personal injury law firm serving clients throughout the greater North Texas area, including McKinney, Collin County, and the surrounding communities. We handle dog bite cases alongside a full range of serious injury claims, giving us a broad understanding of how insurance companies and opposing counsel approach these cases.
Our firm takes dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. There is no upfront cost to hire us, and no financial risk to speaking with our team about your case.
We know McKinney. We understand the local court system, including the Collin County District Court, and we know how to work with local animal control records and ordinances to build a complete picture of what happened and why the dog owner should be held accountable. Whether your case involves a neighbor’s dog, a dog at a McKinney business, or a stray with a known history of aggression, we approach every case with the same commitment to our clients.
Dog bite injuries can be connected to other serious harm as well. Victims who fall during an attack may suffer broken bones or head injuries. Children may experience trauma that affects their development. Our team handles the full scope of your damages, not just the bite itself. We also work alongside clients dealing with related claims, from injuries at properties with inadequate fencing to situations involving landlords who knew about a dangerous dog on their premises.
If someone you love was seriously hurt or killed in a dog attack, we handle wrongful death claims as well. You deserve a legal team that takes your case seriously from day one. Contact the dog bite lawyer team at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys by calling (940) 800-2500 or visiting our office at 110 N. Woodrow Ln, Ste 120, Denton, TX 76205.
Attorney responsible for this content: Chandler Ross, Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, principal office in Denton, Texas. Results in any individual case depend on the specific facts and applicable law. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future matter.
FAQs About McKinney Dog Bite Lawyers
Does Texas have a strict liability law for dog bites?
Texas does not have a statewide strict liability dog bite statute. Instead, Texas follows the “one-bite rule,” which requires a victim to show that the dog owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous before the attack. However, a victim can also pursue a claim based on negligence or a violation of a local ordinance, such as McKinney’s leash and restraint requirements. If the dog was already classified as dangerous under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822, the owner faces a higher legal standard and may be held liable more readily.
Can I sue a dog owner in McKinney even if the dog never bit anyone before?
Yes, in many situations. Even if the dog had no prior bite history, you may still have a valid claim if the owner was negligent in controlling the dog. For example, if the owner allowed the dog to run loose in violation of McKinney’s animal control ordinances, that violation can serve as evidence of negligence per se. You can also pursue a claim if the owner knew the dog displayed aggressive behavior, such as growling, lunging, or chasing people, even without a prior bite on record.
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Texas?
Texas law gives you two years from the date of the dog attack to file a personal injury lawsuit, under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. If you miss this deadline, you will almost certainly lose your right to recover any compensation. There are limited exceptions, such as when the victim is a minor, but waiting is never advisable. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible after an attack to protect your legal rights.
What if the dog that bit me belongs to a friend or family member?
This is more common than most people realize, and it does not prevent you from pursuing a claim. In most cases, compensation comes from the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy, not directly from the individual. Filing a claim against an insurance policy is not the same as suing a person out of their own pocket. You deserve to be compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering regardless of your relationship with the dog’s owner. An attorney can help you pursue the claim in a way that focuses on the insurance coverage available.
What should I do if animal control in McKinney does not take action after a dog bite?
Even if McKinney animal control does not classify the dog as dangerous or take enforcement action, you still have the right to pursue a civil personal injury claim against the dog’s owner. The animal control process and the civil legal process are separate. Your attorney can independently gather evidence of the dog’s prior behavior, the owner’s knowledge of that behavior, and any ordinance violations that occurred. Do not assume that a lack of government action means you have no legal options. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 to discuss your situation.
