Dog Bite Lawsuits in Pennsylvania – Compensation & Negligence

Other Parties May Be Liable for a Dog Bite or Dog Attack

Under Pennsylvania law, multiple individuals may be held liable for a dog bite or dog attack; owners are not the only party who may be held liable. Other parties who may be liable include dog trainers, dog breeders, dog sitters, landlords, etc.

Example: Dog Sitter Liable for Failing to Control Dog

A dog sitter who is hired to take a large dog out for daily walks fails to maintain control of the dog which jumps up on a elderly neighbor out for a walk. As a result, the neighbor falls and breaks their hip. Here, the sitter could be held liable if they had knowledge of the dog’s propensity to jump on others. Investigation reveals that the dog owner specifically instructed the sitter to use a short leash when walking the dog due to this very issue. On the day of the incident, the dog sitter forgot to use the shorter leash which resulted in the dog jumping up on the neighbor.

Example: Landlord Liable for Dog Bite

The landlord of an apartment building could be liable if the landlord had previous knowledge that a tenant’s dog was vicious or had aggressive tendencies but failed to take action to remove the dog or otherwise evict the tenant.

Pennsylvania Dog Bite Compensation & Insurance Coverage

Victims of dog bites or dog injuries can get compensation for:

• medical bills,
• lost wages,
• out of pocket expenses, and
• pain and suffering.

In severe injury cases, victims can also get compensation for future bills, losses and pain and suffering. These claims are typically reserved when significant scarring, disfigurement or serious permanent injury occur.

For example, a child who sustains a facial injury from a dog bite may obtain compensation for future pain and suffering where the injury results in serious, permanent scarring.

The Role of Insurance

Many victims of dog bites or dog attacks are unaware of how dog injury claims are paid. In many cases, an insurance policy will cover the injuries, including pain and suffering. The applicable insurance policy may belong to a dog owner, landlord or business entity, such as a dog sitting company or dog breeder business.

Depending on the type of policy, victims may be able to obtain full compensation for their injuries and damages. Homeowners, renters and landlord policies often provide coverage of $100,000, $300,000 or more. Business or commercial policies often exceed $1,000,000 in coverage.

Relevant Portions of the Dog Law

Medical Bills Recoverable from Dog Owner

Section 502. Dog bites; detention and isolation of dogs (emphasis added)

(b)  Bite victims.–The following shall apply:

(1)  The investigating officer shall be responsible for notifying the bite victim of the medical results of the offending dog’s confinement. Any cost to the victim for medical treatment resulting from an attacking or biting dog must be paid fully by the owner or keeper of the dog. The Commonwealth shall not be liable for medical treatment costs to the victim.

Pennsylvania Dog Leash Law

Section 305.  Confinement and housing of dogs not part of a kennel.

(a) Confinement and control.–It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog to fail to keep at all times the dog in any of the following manners:

(1) confined within the premises of the owner;

(2) firmly secured by means of a collar and chain or other device so that it cannot stray beyond the premises on which it is secured; or

(3) under the reasonable control of some person, or when engaged in lawful hunting, exhibition, performance events or field training.