Have you or a loved one been bitten by a dog? Read our 4 dog bite recommendations for you, then contact our Buffalo lawyers to get started.
1) Bitten by a Dog You Were Petting
The fact that a person was able to pet a dog prior to that dog attacking or biting him does not preclude the bite victim’s right to bring a claim against the dog’s owner.- If the dog has a dangerous propensity, the owner is required to advise you to maintain a safe distance – whether or not he is physically present.
- Under New York law, a person need not prove negligence to hold a dog owner strictly liable if the owner knew—or should have known—that their dog had dangerous propensities, such as prior aggression. This strict liability standard was reaffirmed in the 2025 Flanders v. Goodfellow decision, which also added a new legal path: victims can now additionally pursue negligence claims even if the dog had no known history of violence.
- The fact that some type of friendly interaction with the dog took place prior to its attacking you does not affect the ability to bring a claim.
2) Is the Owner Responsible for the Dog Bite?
- The dog must show vicious propensity or that the owner had known previously.
- A vicious dog can be considered to be dangerous instrument.
3) Can Someone Other Than the Owner be Responsible?
- You should ask the owner if the dog is up to date on vaccinations and required shots.
- Find out if the dog has ever bitten or attacked anyone before.
- Records at the Department of Health are not kept on dogs if they have not bitten anyone before.
4) Questions to Ask The Owner of the Dog After a Bite
- Landlords can be responsible for dog bites if the attack happened on property.
- If someone looses control of the dog on a walk and it bites someone, that person can be responsible as well.
Have you or a loved one been bitten and have questions about our 4 dog bite recommendations for you? Contact our dedicated and experienced Buffalo Dog Bite Lawyers to schedule your free confidential consultation and case evaluation immediately. We can help you fight for your rights and receive the compensation you deserve.
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