Can I sue in the state of New York if I am bitten by a dog?

In the state of New York, in order to win a judgment for a dog bite, you must be able to prove that the dog had vicious propensities and that the owner knew or should have known about the dog’s violent nature and ability to do physical harm.

For owners who have no reason to believe that their dog would harm anyone, New York State has a "one bite rule," which means they are not liable the first time that their dog does cause an injury. However, once a dog has a history of even biting one person, the owners have been put on notice that their dog is capable of doing harm and they would be liable if the dog was to bite someone else.

How can you prove a dog has a vicious propensity?

The dog has previously bitten someone
The dog growls whenever you pass the home
The dog is always kept locked up whenever there are visitors to the home
The dog wears a muzzle
The owner has a dog warning sign on his property

If you or a family member were recently bitten by dog, our lawyers will provide a free consultation to help you determine if you have a case. We’ll answer all your questions and let you know what to expect from the legal process.

Read our informative article on dog bites for more information.

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