Understanding the “One Bite Rule”
Texas follows the “one bite rule” in most dog bite cases. Strict liability, rather than negligence laws, apply to dog bite cases where the canine has a history of violent behavior, such as biting or attacking other people or animals. These dogs are classified as “vicious, dangerous, or mischievous.”
When a dog is considered vicious and a danger to the community, the claimant does not have to prove negligence on the owner’s part. If the claimant can show that the dog is dangerous, they could receive compensation for their injuries. However, if the claimant and their local attorney cannot prove that the owner was acting negligently and the canine does not have a violent past, their dog bite claim could get denied.