JMR initials

 INJURY LAW FIRM

Dog Bites & Attacks FAQ

  • How many dog bites happen every year in Massachusetts?

    The state of MA does not show the data from the last couple of years. In 2020, Massachusetts reported over 1,000 dog bite incidents that required medical attention. 


    Approximately 20% of these incidents resulted in severe injuries requiring hospitalization. 

  • Who is responsible for dog bites?

    In Massachusetts, dog attacks are governed by M.G.L. c. 140 § 155. The law imposes “strict liability” on dog owners and/or keepers of the dog. The law holds an owner or keeper of a dog strictly liable if the dog causes personal injury or property damage if the injured person was not trespassing, committing a wrongful act, or teasing the dog.

  • What age population is more vulnerable to dog bites?

    Children are particularly vulnerable, with a higher incidence of severe bites reported in those under the age of 12.


    Elderly individuals also report higher rates of severe injuries from dog bites.

  • Can I still recover money if the dog injured me, but never bit?

    Yes, Massachusetts law does not only apply to dog bites; it also applies to any injury a dog causes to an individual. For example, if you are in a park or private residence and a dog jumps on you and causes you to fall and be injured, you may have a claim against the owner or keeper of the dog.

  • Can I still recover money for my injuries if the dog never bit or injured anybody before?

    Yes, it is important to know that in Massachusetts, owners and keepers of dogs are still liable for personal injury or property damage even if they did not have any prior knowledge that the dog would bite or cause injury.

  • What types of damages can I recover in a dog bite accident?

    Damages include, but are not limited to payment for pain and suffering, scarring, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and economic loss.

  • How long do I have to bring a claim or file a lawsuit against the responsible party in MA?

    Generally, there is a three-year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties, with limited exceptions. This means, if you do not file a complaint in court against the proper parties, you will never be able to recover monies from them or their insurance company for your injuries.


    However, if the dog is owned or kept by the Commonwealth or a city and town, there are strict time-sensitive notice requirements that that must be made long before the three-year statute of limitations. 


    There are also many different notice and time requirements that may apply depending on the type of claim or the responsible party.

  • Do mail carriers report more dog bites than normal population in MA?

    Mail carriers reported 116 dog bites in Massachusetts in 2023 last year. Postal workers in Springfield said they were bitten by dogs five times in 2023, the most in the state. 


    Woburn was second with four cases of dogs biting letter carriers, and Beverly, Milton, Shrewsbury, and Webster each had three dog bites.

We serve the following localities: Norfolk County including Canton, Braintree, Norwood, Quincy, Randolph, Stoughton & Weymouth; Bristol County including Easton, Norton & Attleboro; Plymouth County including Abington, Bridgewater and Brockton. We also serve clients in Barnstable, Middlesex, Suffolk, Essex, and Worcester counties.

Share by: