Springfield Dog Bite Lawyers

Massachusetts has established a dog bite statute that makes dog owners liable when their animals injure others. 

The conditions under which this law applies include the following:

• The victim was not trespassing on the property where the attack occurred nor was committing any other tort (a civil wrong) and
• The victim was not “teasing, tormenting, or abusing” the dog in question.

Under this law, the dog owner (or keeper) is responsible even if the animal has never acted aggressively before. These individuals can be held liable for injuries or property damage. 

More About Dog Attack Cases 

Massachusetts dog bite law goes beyond bites alone. If a dog jumps on you, knocks you down, and thus causes injuries, such as broken teeth, fractures, sprains, or other harm, the dog owner can also be held civilly liable for damages. 

This law is what is known as “strict liability.” This translates into holding the dog owner liable even if he or she took measures to prevent the animal from harming others, such as restraining it with a leash. If the dog still managed to bite someone under these conditions, the owner can be held liable for damages. These damages include all medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma. 

Our Team at Libbos Law is Here to Protect Your Rights

Dog bite cases can also be filed under a claim of negligence. In those cases, you must prove to the court that the dog owner failed to use reasonable precautions to avoid the attack which led to your injury. Whether under strict liability or negligence, you have three years from the date of the attack to file your claims against the dog owner. This is known as the “statute of limitations.”