Connecticut Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog Bites Attorney in Connecticut, CT

At Buckley Wynne & Parese, our Connecticut dog bite lawyers serve clients statewide. We understand that being bitten by a dog is a scary time for you and your family, especially if a younger child was attacked and injured.

Whether your case originates from Hartford or New Haven, we have served clients for over 140 years and prepare every case as though it is headed to trial. This way, there is nothing that can surprise us.

Connecticut’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law

In the United States, nearly 95 million households own a dog, and dog bites rank as number 13 in non-fatal emergency room visits across the country. Under § 22-357 of the Connecticut General Assembly, a dog’s owner or keeper is strictly liable for any damage the dog causes to either the property or the body of another individual, including another pet.

You do not need to prove that the dog had a prior history of violence or that the owner knew the dog was dangerous. The law covers bites, knock-downs, and any other applicable damages and injuries.

There are exceptions to this strict liability law, however, including if the attacked party was committing any of the following acts at the time that the dog bite occurred:

• Trespassing
• Committing another tort
• Teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog

The Under-7 Child Presumption

In Connecticut, when a child under 7 years old is bitten by a dog, the law presumes that the child was not trespassing, tormenting, abusing, or teasing the dog, or doing anything wrong. In these situations, the dog’s owner must prove otherwise if they intend to rely on that kind of defense.

This legal presumption acknowledges that very young children may not fully understand how to interact with animals safely or recognize the risks associated with them. As a result, children in this age group are given extra protection in a dog bite claim.

In most cases of dog bites, small children suffer the most severe injuries, often to their face and head, resulting in disfigurement, nerve damage, permanent scarring, and emotional trauma. It’s important to seek immediate medical treatment and document the injuries carefully to protect the child and any potential legal claim.

Landlord & Third-Party Liability

Landlord liability in Connecticut dog bite cases can be a tricky subject. In most cases, it is the tenant’s or the dog’s owner’s responsibility to make certain their animal is safe, well-trained, and not a threat to anyone else living in or visiting the property.

However, landlords in Connecticut do have the duty of making certain that the dogs that live on their premises are safe. If a dog is known to be dangerous, and the landlord does nothing, then they may hold some liability.

Many dog bite claims are resolved through renter’s or homeowner’s insurance rather than by pursuing payment directly from the dog owner. Liability coverage can potentially help pay for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other related damages. However, coverage varies by policy, and some policies may exclude certain breeds or incidents. An attorney can help you identify available insurance coverage and pursue compensation from all possible sources.

Damages in a Connecticut Dog Bite Case

In 2025, homeowners’ insurers paid out over $1.8 billion in dog attack claims. If you or your child has sustained an injury due to a dog bite, there are a number of damages that you may be able to recover through the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance. These damages include:

• All related medical costs, including reconstructive surgery
• Lost wages
• Future care
• Scarring and disfigurement damages
• Pain and suffering
• Psychological trauma, especially in cases involving children

To recover these damages, it is crucial that you hold onto evidence like all related medical records, images of the injuries and the scene of the attack, photos of the dog, and any recorded eyewitness testimony.

Deadlines to Be Aware Of

There is a statute of limitations of two years placed on all dog bite cases, meaning that it is essential that you hire a dog bite attorney in Connecticut right away.

FAQs

Q: Do I Have to Prove the Dog Has Bitten Someone Before?

A: Because Connecticut follows a strict liability law for dog attacks and bite injuries, you do not need to prove that the dog has bitten someone before, and the owner is automatically liable for the injuries their dog inflicted, no matter the dog’s past behavior. If this is the dog’s first bite, the owner is still liable.

Q: What if My Child Was Bitten?

A: If your child was bitten by a dog, you need to make sure your child receives medical care right away. Prompt treatment can help reduce the risk of infection and create medical records documenting the injury. You should also report the incident to local authorities, take pictures of your child’s injuries, and contact a dog bite lawyer about your legal options.

Q: Can I File a Claim if the Dog’s Owner Has No Money?

A: Yes, in Connecticut, you can still legally file a claim against an impoverished or uninsured dog owner. However, this can be extremely difficult, especially in cases where the owner is held personally liable and is not considerably wealthy. At Buckley Wynne & Parese, we can help determine how much your case is worth.

Q: Is the Landlord Responsible for a Tenant’s Dog?

A: In Connecticut, the tenant who owns the dog is primarily held responsible for the dog’s behavior and any injuries the dog might have caused. However, in very rare cases, the landlord might be held liable if they knew the dog had a history of dangerous behavior and they did not take any action to remove the threat.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in CT?

A: In Connecticut, as with other personal injury claims, you have two years from the date of injury to file a dog bite claim. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose out on your chance to recover compensation, and your case will be dismissed. Act quickly after a dog bite to protect your claim.

Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer Today

If you or your child has been injured by a dog, you deserve a legal advocate on your side. When you hire a dog bite lawyer from Buckley Wynne & Parese, we are here to serve you. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help and to schedule a free consultation.

Available 24/71-800-445-2278

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