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Have you had an accident and require legal assistance?

516-634-0345

Dog Bites

If you have suffered severe injuries from a dog bite, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injury. In New York, dog bite laws put limitations on when a person may receive damages from a dog bite. Your best bet is to call our office for a free consultation to discuss your case if a dog bit you or a loved one.

New York has a “One Bite” Law

New York’s “One Bite” law states that an owner is liable for injuries caused by their dog if they had prior knowledge of dangerous behavior.  

Just because a dog has never bitten anyone, doesn’t mean that you have no case. There does not have to be a history of biting if the dog has shown behavior that might be considered a danger to others.

If a dog is known to bark viciously from behind a fence or inside a house, that may be enough to meet the legal test of showing a tendency toward dangerous behavior. Other considered behaviors may be:

  • Jumping on people

  • Chasing people or other animals

  • Previous instances of biting people or other animals

  • A dog that has been trained to fight

  • Prior behavior has led to official complaints

When is an Owner not Liable for an Injury from a dog bite?

The Town of Hempstead, as in most jurisdictions, does not allow a “Dog at Large.” 

Legally, an unleased dog is “at large.” Dogs are considered “at large” if the leash is longer than six feet. A dog does not need to be on a leash when on the owner’s property or within the gates of an official town Dog Run.

New York’s “One Bite” law allows that if an owner did not know about prior dangerous behavior. The law also protects owners if the dog has shown no propensity to violent or dangerous behavior. New York law also protects dogs and their owners in certain situations. If a person trespasses onto a property and a dog bites the trespasser, then the dog and owner may not be held liable.

Regardless of a dog’s history or tendency, dogs can be unpredictable. If provoked, dogs are going to respond to protect themselves and their owners. If attacked after provoking a dog, the law protects the owner from liability.

Contact the Law Offices of Stern and Stern

If a dog has injured you by biting or jumping on you, you may receive compensation from the owner. Call the Law Office of Stern and Stern at 516-634-0345 for a free consultation. There is no risk to you. We only work on contingency. Contingency means we only get paid if there is a settlement or a verdict with an award. 

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