Dog attacks can change your life in an instant. A single bite can lead to painful injuries, scarring, emotional trauma, and unexpected medical bills. At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, we know how overwhelming that aftermath can feel. This Dog Bite Injury Guide was created to help victims and families understand their rights, learn what steps to take after an attack, and find the support they need to recover.
For more than 70 years, GT&B has represented injured individuals across Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. Our attorneys live and work in the same communities we serve, providing local insight, trusted guidance, and proven results for clients throughout Toledo, Maumee, Fremont, Defiance, Findlay, Lima, Mansfield, Sandusky, and Monroe, Michigan.
If you or someone you love was bitten or attacked by a dog, contact us for a free consultation at 419-843-6663 or reach out online.
Understanding Dog Bite Liability in Ohio and Michigan
Dog bite laws differ by state, but both Ohio and Michigan use strict liability to protect victims. This means a dog owner is legally responsible for injuries caused by their animal, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. You don’t have to prove the owner was negligent — only that the bite happened, that you were legally on the property, and that you didn’t provoke the dog.
Ohio Revised Code §955.28
Under Ohio Revised Code §955.28(B), “the owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog is liable in damages for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the dog.”
Ohio law recognizes several types of responsibility:
Owner: The person who legally possesses the dog.
Keeper: Someone temporarily in control of the dog, such as a sitter, walker, or friend.
Harborer: A property owner or landlord who allows the dog to reside on the premises.
If the dog attacks, any of these parties may be liable for the resulting injuries.
Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL 287.351)
Michigan’s dog bite law mirrors Ohio’s in its strict liability approach. MCL 287.351(1) states: “If a dog bites a person, without provocation, while the person is on public property or lawfully on private property, the owner of the dog shall be liable for any damages suffered by the person bitten.”
Michigan law focuses squarely on the owner’s responsibility. If the dog bites without provocation, and the victim is lawfully present, the owner is liable for all resulting damages — even if the dog had never shown aggression before.
Limited Exceptions to Liability
Dog owners may raise limited defenses in both states, but they are difficult to prove. Common exceptions include:
Provocation: The victim teased, tormented, or physically harmed the dog.
Trespassing: The victim was unlawfully on private property.
Criminal conduct: The victim was committing a crime when the attack occurred.
These exceptions shift the burden of proof to the dog owner, not the victim. Most claims still succeed when properly documented and supported by evidence.
Deadlines to File a Dog Bite Claim
Dog bite victims in Ohio have two years from the date of injury to file a claim under the state’s personal injury statute of limitations.
In Michigan, victims have three years under MCL 600.5805(2).
For minors, these deadlines may extend beyond their 18th birthday, but acting quickly helps preserve evidence and strengthen your case.
The Serious Impact of Dog Attacks
Dog bites can cause far more than a painful wound. Victims often suffer torn ligaments, puncture wounds, nerve damage, and deep lacerations that require surgical repair. Children are particularly vulnerable because of their size and inability to rethe ad warning signs of fear or aggression.
The emotional impact can be just as severe. Many victims experience post-traumatic stress, develop a lasting fear of animals, or struggle with anxiety and sleep disturbances. Parents often carry the emotional burden of watching a child recover from visible and invisible scars.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, we’ve represented families facing every version of these realities — from postal workers attacked on the job to grandparents permanently injured by a neighbor’s pet. Our mission is to help you recover your health, security, and confidence, while holding negligent parties accountable.
What to Do After a Dog Attack
First, seek medical treatment immediately, even if the wound looks minor. Dog saliva carries bacteria that can lead to infection, and medical documentation is vital evidence.
Next, report the attack to your local health department or law enforcement agency. In Ohio, county health departments track dog bites for rabies and safety purposes. In Michigan, reports typically go to local animal control. This creates an official record linking the dog to your injury.
You should also gather information at the scene whenever possible:
The dog owner’s name, address, and contact information
Photos of your injuries and the attack location
Names and contact details of witnesses
Notes about the dog’s breed, size, and behavior before the attack
Keep copies of all medical records, receipts, and treatment notes. These will help your attorney establish the scope of your injuries and expenses.
Finally, speak with an experienced dog bite attorney before dealing with the insurance company. Adjusters often move quickly to minimize payouts, but our firm steps in to handle those calls and protect your rights from day one.
Compensation for Dog Bite Victims
Recovering from a dog bite can mean surgeries, therapy, and months away from work. Our attorneys pursue every form of compensation the law allows — because healing should not come with financial strain.
Economic damages include tangible losses such as:
Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
Surgery, physical therapy, and medications
Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
Future medical care and rehabilitation
Non-economic damages address the personal toll:
Pain and suffering
Emotional trauma or post-traumatic stress
Scarring, disfigurement, or visible injuries
Loss of enjoyment of life or companionship
When injuries are catastrophic or fatal, families may also recover wrongful death damages, covering funeral costs, medical expenses, and the loss of financial support and companionship.
How GT&B Builds Your Dog Bite Case
Proving a dog bite claim takes more than emotion — it takes precision, experience, and persistence. Our attorneys begin by investigating every detail of the attack, collecting medical records, photographs, and witness statements before the evidence fades.
We work with medical experts and animal behavior specialists who can explain how and why the attack occurred. We also analyze local ordinances, leash laws, and homeowner insurance policies to uncover every path to recovery.
Throughout the process, we keep clients informed and involved. You’ll never wonder who is handling your case or what comes next. When insurance companies refuse to take responsibility, we’re fully prepared to take your case to trial.
Why Choose a Local Dog Bite Lawyer
Choosing a local attorney makes all the difference. GT&B operates nine offices throughout Ohio and Michigan, offering personal access and regional understanding that large national firms can’t match. We know the courts, the adjusters, and the communities where our clients live and work.
When you hire our firm, you get one dedicated attorney and one paralegal focused on your case from start to finish. You won’t be passed around or left waiting for updates. For over seven decades, we’ve built our reputation on integrity, commitment, and local results — Local. Trusted. Fighting for the Injured.
Taking the Next Step After a Dog Bite
If you’ve been bitten or attacked by a dog, you deserve answers, accountability, and compensation for what you’ve endured. Recovering from a dog bite isn’t just about healing the physical wound — it’s about reclaiming your quality of life and protecting your legal rights under Ohio Revised Code §955.28 and Michigan Compiled Laws §287.351.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, our dog bite attorneys know how to investigate attacks, prove owner liability, and pursue maximum recovery for victims across Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. We handle every step of the process — from gathering medical documentation and witness statements to negotiating directly with insurance companies that often undervalue these claims.
Whether the attack happened in Toledo, Maumee, Fremont, Defiance, Findlay, Lima, Mansfield, Sandusky, or Monroe, Michigan, our legal team has the local insight and courtroom experience to fight for justice. With more than seven decades of proven results, GT&B is the name families trust when it matters most.
Call 419-843-6663 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. You’ll speak directly with a member of our injury team who will evaluate your case, explain your options, and help you take confident legal action.
FAQ – Dog Bite Injury Guide
Who is liable for a dog bite in Ohio or Michigan?
Dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their animals, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. Liability may also extend to someone keeping or harboring the dog.
How long do I have to file a claim?
In Ohio, you have two years from the date of the attack; in Michigan, you have three years under MCL 600.5805(2). Minors may have longer to file.
What damages can I recover after a dog bite?
Victims can recover medical costs, lost wages, future treatment, pain and suffering, and compensation for scarring or emotional trauma.
Jonathan Ashton, Partner and Personal Injury Attorney, began his law career at GT&B in 2007 as a law clerk. He was hired as an associate immediately after passing the Ohio Bar in 2008. Jonathan practices in Personal Injury, representing clients who have been injured and need justice and compensation for them to move forward in their lives.
