Texas Dog Bite Lawyer

Name: Dog Bite
Brand: McCraw Law Group

As of 2024, 66% of U.S. households own a pet. Between 84 million and 89 million dogs are in homes in the U.S., with 45% of households having at least one dog, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Seeking Justice After a Dog Bite

Any dog can bite, and 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. Texas was among the top 10 reporting states for dog bites in 2022. If a dog has bitten you or your child, contact an experienced dog bite attorney as soon as possible.

What Types of Injuries Do Dog Bites Cause?

Dogs can cause severe or even fatal injuries, particularly when they attack young children. Injuries can range in severity from minor to life-threatening.

Any bite that punctures the skin should be treated as soon as possible to help prevent serious infection. If the dog that attacked was not up to date on rabies vaccinations, the victim may have to undergo rabies treatments on the day of the attack and additional treatments on days three, seven, and 14. Common injuries from dog bites include:

Lacerations
Abrasions
Puncture wounds
Tetanus
Rabies
Infections
Crush injuries
Bone fractures
Eye injuries
Head and neck injuries
Facial injuries and scarring
Nerve and tissue damage
Emotional trauma

What Is the Law in Texas on Liability for Dog Bites?

There is no civil statute in Texas that states specifically when dog owners are liable for injuries caused by their animals. However, the courts have ruled that dog owners may be held liable by injury victims in two scenarios:

One-Bite Rule:

A dog owner who knows an animal could be dangerous may be held strictly liable for injuries caused by his or her dog. This is true even if the owner acted responsibly to protect others from harm. Strict liability applies once the owner is on notice that the dog has aggressive or dangerous tendencies, for example, if the animal has bitten someone before.

Negligence:

When a dog attack occurs because of owner negligence, the dog owner may be held liable for resulting injuries. To recover compensation, the injured party must show that he or she was injured by the dog in an attack that occurred because the owner was irresponsible. For example, if the owner let the dog off the leash in a public place and the dog attacked a child, the owner may be found negligent.

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Are There Criminal Penalties for Dog Owners Whose Animals Attack?

In addition to civil liability, dog owners could face criminal charges in certain dog bite cases. If a dog attack causes serious bodily injury or death to another person, the owner could face felony charges, pursuant to the Texas Health and Safety Code, Title 10, Chapter 822. Criminal liability may apply if the dog owner:

With criminal negligence, failed to secure the dog and the animal made an unprovoked attack on a person at a location other than the owner’s real property, motor vehicle, or boat; or
Knew the dog was dangerous, and the dog made an unprovoked attack outside of a secure enclosure for the animal.

In Texas, a dog is considered dangerous if it has attacked and injured someone or behaved in a threatening manner that caused someone to fear attack. The exception is if the dog was provoked or the attack occurred inside the dog’s secure enclosure. In either of those situations, a dog that attacks is not considered dangerous.

What Are Your Legal Options If a Dog Has Bitten You or Your Child?

If you or your loved one has suffered a dog attack, you may have a claim for compensation against the dog owner. Speak with an experienced dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. Depending on the circumstances and location of the attack, you may be entitled to seek damages for medical expenses, lost wages, scarring and disfigurement, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Why Choose Us to Represent You?

At McCraw Law Group, we are not a mill. We have a different process for better and faster results. We contact our clients regularly, work quickly on their cases, and apply an extra level of care. Contact us for skilled legal representation after dog bite injuries in Texas.

Texas Dog Bite Lawyer

Seeking Justice After a Dog Bite

What Types of Injuries Do Dog Bites Cause?

What Is the Law in Texas on Liability for Dog Bites?

One-Bite Rule:

Negligence:

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Are There Criminal Penalties for Dog Owners Whose Animals Attack?

What Are Your Legal Options If a Dog Has Bitten You or Your Child?

Why Choose Us to Represent You?

Case Types

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