Dog Bites claims in Pennsylvania
Dog bite injuries are frequently worse than they first appear, particularly for children, where facial wounds and scarring are common.
Pennsylvania law addresses both an owner's responsibility for medical costs and, separately, claims for broader damages where the circumstances support them.
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How these incidents happen
Unrestrained dogs
Animals off leash or loose from a yard.
Known aggression
Prior bites or complaints about the same animal.
Inadequate fencing or containment
Gates left open and broken enclosures.
Rental property situations
Where a landlord knew about a dangerous animal on the premises.
Injuries frequently seen in these cases
- Puncture wounds and deep lacerations
- Permanent facial scarring, especially in children
- Infection, including tissue infection requiring surgery
- Nerve and tendon damage
- Lasting anxiety and fear of animals
Who may be responsible
Responsibility depends entirely on the facts, and no one can determine it from a web page. These are the parties whose conduct is typically examined.
The dog's owner
Control of the animal and knowledge of prior behavior.
A keeper or handler
Someone in charge of the dog at the time.
A property owner or landlord
Where they knew of a dangerous animal and had control over the premises.
Damages that may be recoverable
What a claim may include depends on the injuries, the available insurance and the evidence. Nothing here is a prediction of value.
- Medical treatment already received, from the emergency room through rehabilitation
- Future medical care and therapy a physician expects will be needed
- Wages lost while unable to work, and reduced earning capacity in longer-term cases
- Property damage, out-of-pocket costs and travel to treatment
- Pain, suffering and loss of life's pleasures where the law allows it
Steps that protect a claim
- Get medical attention, even if the injuries seem minor at first
- Report what happened and ask how to obtain a copy of the official report
- Photograph the scene, the vehicles or the hazard, and your visible injuries
- Collect names and phone numbers for anyone who saw what happened
- Keep every bill, record and piece of correspondence in one place
- Be careful giving a recorded statement before you understand your own injuries
Frequently asked questions
Does Pennsylvania have a one-bite rule?
Pennsylvania law requires owners to cover medical costs for a bite regardless of prior history, while claims for pain and suffering generally depend on factors such as severe injury or the owner's knowledge and conduct.
What should I do after a bite?
Get medical care, report the bite to animal control or police, photograph the injuries, and identify the owner and the dog's vaccination status.
Whose insurance pays?
Homeowner's or renter's insurance frequently covers dog bite claims, subject to policy terms and any breed exclusions.
Question not answered here? Ask Robert — Munley's virtual intake assistant answers common dog bites questions 24/7.
Related guides, tools and pages
Related practice areas
Where we serve
Munley Law represents clients across Pennsylvania. See the areas we serve for local courts, hospitals and roads, or browse the free tools.
This page is general information about this type of case. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Last reviewed 2026-09-01.
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