Dog bites can be terrifying and cause devastating injuries, from broken bones and severe lacerations to lasting emotional trauma. At The Rummel Firm, we fight aggressively for victims who have suffered due to negligent dog owners. Our goal is to hold those responsible accountable and help clients recover the compensation they need to heal and move forward.
Pennsylvania law holds dog owners strictly liable for medical costs resulting from dog bite injuries, regardless of the dog’s prior behavior or the owner’s knowledge of any aggressive tendencies. If a dog is not properly restrained, leashed, or enclosed and causes harm, the owner can face legal consequences, including financial compensation for the victim’s damages, and potentially criminal penalties if the dog is classified as dangerous.
Pennsylvania has specific laws designed to protect individuals from dog bites and attacks while balancing the rights of pet owners. These laws require dog owners to keep their pets confined within their property or securely leashed when outside. The purpose is to prevent pets from roaming freely and potentially causing harm to others.
Under Pennsylvania law, dog owners are strictly liable for medical expenses if their dog bites or injures someone, regardless of the dog’s history or previous behavior. This means that victims can recover medical costs without proving negligence or that the dog was previously aggressive.
However, for compensation beyond medical bills—such as pain and suffering, lost wages, or emotional distress—victims generally must prove that the dog owner was negligent. Negligence may be established if the owner failed to restrain or properly confine the dog, allowed the dog to roam freely, or otherwise violated leash laws.
Recent legislative amendments have further strengthened protections for bite victims by removing requirements that victims must prove a dog’s prior violent behavior in criminal dog attack cases. Though civil liability still often hinges on negligence, these changes potentially make it easier for victims to seek full compensation.
Dog bites are often preventable incidents caused by a combination of factors related to the dog’s behavior, the owner’s responsibility, and the circumstances of the encounter. Understanding why these attacks happen can help prevent future injuries and hold negligent parties accountable.
When dogs are allowed to roam off-leash or are inadequately confined, the risk of attacks dramatically increases. Proper containment is a primary legal requirement and a key factor in holding owners liable.
Dogs that have not been trained or socialized adequately, or that have a natural aggressive temperament, pose higher risks to others, especially if owners ignore warning signs.
Children are especially vulnerable to bites. Owners have a responsibility to supervise interactions between dogs and children closely to prevent unpredictable or aggressive behavior.
Cat bites and scratches can be deceptively dangerous, often leading to severe bacterial infections such as Pasteurella, which requires prompt medical treatment. Despite their smaller size compared to dog bites, cat-inflicted injuries may demand extensive medical care and can cause serious complications like cellulitis or sepsis. Negligent cat owners who fail to control their pets may be held responsible for these injuries, similar to dog bite liability.
Injuries caused by farm animals—including horses, cows, goats, and other livestock—can be severe and complex, often involving bites, kicks, or crush injuries. Farm animal incidents frequently occur in agricultural workplaces or rural properties and may involve different liability considerations compared to traditional pet attacks.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog or other animal in Pennsylvania, don’t wait. Contact The Rummel Firm for a free consultation to discuss your case. We are dedicated to providing compassionate, aggressive representation to help you hold negligent animal owners accountable and recover the compensation you deserve.
