Personal Injury
Dog Bite Law in Pennsylvania
Last updated April 2026
A dog bit you or someone in your family. The injury might be minor or severe, but now you need to know what Pennsylvania law says about liability, insurance coverage, and your right to compensation.
Pennsylvania law creates automatic liability for dog bites. The statute, 3 P.S. § 459-502-A, holds dog owners strictly liable for medical and surgical expenses resulting from a dog bite, regardless of whether the dog had previously bitten anyone or shown dangerous behavior. You don't have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. The bite itself is proof of liability.
This strict liability applies only to medical and surgical expenses. It covers doctor visits, emergency room treatment, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing medical care directly caused by the bite. It does not automatically cover pain and suffering damages.
Get all your medical bills documented. Every treatment related to the bite is recoverable. Dog bites often require wound closure, rabies prophylaxis, antibiotics, and follow-up visits. Severe bites require emergency surgery. Scars sometimes need cosmetic revision. All of it is covered under strict liability.
If the dog is classified as "dangerous" or if the owner knew the dog had a propensity to bite, you recover more than just medical expenses. You can claim pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, scarring, and disfigurement. Your total damages are not capped.
A dog is dangerous under Pennsylvania law if it has bitten or attacked someone before, if it killed or injured livestock, or if it was trained as a fighting dog. Many local ordinances expand this definition. Some municipalities classify pit bulls, rottweilers, and other breeds as inherently dangerous.
Even without prior incidents, if the owner knew the dog had a propensity to bite (the dog had lunged at people, shown aggression, or been reported to animal control), full damages are available. This requires proof: animal control reports, prior complaints, veterinary records documenting behavioral issues, or witness testimony.
A dog that has bitten once has shown a propensity to bite again. If the owner knew about the first bite and the dog bit you, that owner is liable not just for medical expenses but for all damages.
Pennsylvania law requires dog owners to immediately confine a dog that has bitten someone. The confinement is typically quarantine, where the dog is held (by the owner or animal control) for observation to rule out rabies. The quarantine period is usually 10 days in Pennsylvania.
Failure to confine the dog is a separate violation that can expose the owner to additional liability and creates evidence of negligence. It also puts you at risk if the dog isn't tested for rabies. Report the bite to local police or animal control immediately. They handle quarantine and testing.
Most homeowner's insurance policies include dog bite liability coverage as part of their standard personal liability protection. Limits are typically $100,000 to $300,000. If a homeowner's policy applies, the insurer pays the claim up to the policy limits.
But many policies exclude certain breeds. Pit bulls, rottweilers, German shepherds, and other breeds deemed "dangerous" are often excluded or subject to separate "dangerous dog" riders. The owner might have paid extra for coverage, or the dog might be uninsured. Check the policy. If the breed is excluded and the dog bit you, the owner is personally liable for the full amount of damages.
Some renters insurance policies cover dog bite liability, but coverage varies. If a renter's dog bit you, check what coverage applies. Homeowner's policies cover dogs owned by household members; renters policies cover dogs owned by the tenant.
If the dog owner has no homeowner's or renters insurance, they're personally liable. You can pursue a judgment against them, but collecting from an uninsured individual is often difficult. This is why determining available insurance early is critical.
You have two years from the date of the bite to file suit (42 Pa.C.S. § 5524). This applies to both medical expenses under strict liability and full damages if the dog is dangerous. After two years, your claim expires. Don't wait if settlement negotiations stall.
First, get medical treatment. Dog bites carry risk of infection and rabies. Even small bites should be evaluated. Rabies is fatal if not treated before symptoms appear, so post-exposure prophylaxis is standard. You need medical documentation of the bite and treatment.
Report the bite to local police or animal control. Provide the dog owner's name, address, phone number, and the dog's description. Report the breed, color, size, and any collar or identification. Provide your contact information. Ask for an animal control report number. This report is evidence.
Photograph your injuries immediately and again over several days as bruising and swelling change. Photograph the location of the bite. Document the date, time, and circumstances.
Get the dog owner's homeowner's insurance information if possible. You might get it directly from them, or your own homeowner's insurance company can request it. If the owner is evasive, animal control or police can help identify the owner and their address.
Do not accept cash from the owner to "handle it privately." You have no guarantee you'll be fully compensated, and you're removing evidence of liability. Formal claim handling protects you.
If a tenant's dog bit you, can you sue the landlord? Generally, no. Pennsylvania holds landlords liable for a tenant's dog only if the landlord knew the dog was dangerous and failed to evict the tenant, or if the landlord harbored the dog themselves. Simply knowing a tenant has a dog isn't enough.
This is why the tenant is the defendant, not the landlord. Focus your claim on the person who owned the dog and (likely) held homeowner's or renters insurance.
A minor bite with no permanent scarring and quick healing might be worth $2,000 to $5,000. The strict liability covers medical bills, and pain and suffering is modest.
A serious bite requiring emergency surgery, leaving scars on the face or hand, might be worth $25,000 to $100,000 depending on scarring severity and the dog's prior history. If the dog is classified as dangerous, value increases substantially. Permanent scarring, nerve damage, or functional impairment drives higher settlements.
A child bitten on the face by a dangerous dog with prior incidents can be worth $50,000 to $200,000 or more. Children's bite injuries create lifelong emotional trauma and permanent scarring that demands larger compensation.
Insurance companies typically settle dog bite claims efficiently. They accept the strict liability under the statute and negotiate damages based on injury severity. Without insurance, you're dealing with an uninsured individual and collection issues.
If you or a family member has been bitten by a dog in Pennsylvania, report it to animal control, get medical treatment, and document everything. Then call us. We'll pursue the claim against the owner's homeowner's insurance and ensure you're fully compensated for medical expenses and damages. Call 215-949-0888.
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