Maryland Dog Bite FAQs

A dog-bite claim is usually an insurance claim, not a personal attack

This is the most important thing to understand: in most Maryland dog-bite cases, the money comes from the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy, not out of the owner’s own pocket. You are not “suing your friend” or “going after a family member” personally. You are making a claim against the insurance they already pay for, which exists for exactly this kind of accident.

That matters most when the bite happens at a relative’s or a friend’s home, which is where a lot of dog bites occur. People often stay quiet because they don’t want to hurt someone they love. Hiring us actually makes it less personal, because we deal directly with the insurance company so you and the dog’s owner don’t have to negotiate against each other. You can stay focused on healing while we handle the paperwork, the adjuster, and the value of your claim.

What are Maryland’s dog-bite laws?

Maryland’s 2014 dog-bite law (Md. Code, Courts & Judicial Proceedings 3-1901) makes it much easier to hold an owner responsible when a dog injures someone. Under that 2014 statute, the law presumes the owner knew the dog was dangerous, so you usually do not have to prove it up front – though the owner can still try to rebut that presumption. The law also covers more than bites: if a loose dog jumps on you, knocks you down, and breaks your arm, the owner can still be responsible. You may also bring a negligence claim if the dog was leashed or on the owner’s property and the owner failed to control it.

Maryland’s law is behavior-based, not breed-based. The old “one bite rule,” which required proof that a dog had bitten before, no longer applies in most cases because of the dog-bite statute. It can still matter in a few situations, such as non-bite injuries or when that presumption does not apply. If the dog had bitten someone before, the law presumes the owner knew it could harm someone again, which can strengthen your case.

When might a dog owner not be liable?

Owners aren’t responsible in every situation. Under Maryland law, an owner generally isn’t liable if the injured person was trespassing, committing or attempting a crime, or teasing, abusing, provoking, or tormenting the dog. These defenses apply even if the dog was loose or off the owner’s property.

Maryland also follows a strict contributory negligence rule, which makes experienced help especially important. If you are found even 1% at fault, you can be barred from recovering anything. Insurers know this and often argue you provoked the dog or shouldn’t have been there. We work to counter those claims and show the owner was responsible. One important exception: contributory negligence does not apply to children under the age of five, so a very young child won’t be blamed for the attack.

What should you do right after a dog bite?

Take these steps to protect both your health and your claim:

• Get medical attention right away, even if the wound looks small. About one in five dog bites becomes infected, and seeing a doctor also documents your injuries.
• Photograph your injuries and the location, and document your recovery over time.
• Get the dog owner’s contact and insurance information.
• Report the bite to local animal control or the police.
• Write down what happened while it’s fresh, and get contact details for any witnesses.

One more thing: if the owner’s insurance company calls you, you don’t have to give a recorded statement. Tell them your lawyer will speak for you, get the adjuster’s name and number, and pass it to us. Then call us so we can protect your rights from the start.

How long do you have to file?

In Maryland, you generally have three years from the date of the dog bite to file a lawsuit. The clock usually starts the day the injury happened, and if you miss the deadline you can lose your right to recover no matter how serious your injuries were. It’s best to act early, because preserving evidence, locating witnesses, and negotiating with the insurer all take time. (Deadlines work differently for children, which we cover below.)

What can you recover for a dog bite?

Dog-bite victims in Maryland may recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In more serious cases, that can also include future medical care, rehabilitation, and permanent disability or scarring. The goal is to cover the full impact of the injury on your life, not just the bills you’ve already received.

You can also pursue compensation for emotional harm, including anxiety, PTSD, or a lasting fear of dogs after an attack. This is common, especially in children. Documenting any counseling or psychological treatment and how the attack has affected your daily life helps support that part of your claim. Dog bites often cause more than surface wounds, including deep tissue and muscle damage, broken bones, infections, and permanent scarring, so it’s worth making sure every consequence is accounted for.

What evidence builds a strong case?

Strong dog-bite cases are built on good documentation. Helpful evidence includes:

• Medical records and bills
• Photographs of your injuries and the scene
• Witness statements
• Animal control or police reports
• Records of the dog’s history, including any prior bites or aggression

Evidence that the owner knew the dog had aggressive tendencies can be especially important. We help you gather and preserve all of this, and we know where to look, including police reports, insurance records, veterinary records, and neighbors who may have seen the dog behave aggressively before.

Does homeowners or renters insurance cover dog bites?

Yes, homeowners insurance typically covers dog-bite liability in Maryland, and renters policies often do too. Many policies provide somewhere between $100,000 and $300,000 in coverage, which is usually where your compensation comes from. This is exactly why a dog-bite claim is an insurance matter rather than a personal one.

There are wrinkles to watch for. Some insurers exclude certain breeds or add specific dog-bite clauses that can limit or deny coverage. We help you identify every available source of coverage and push back when an insurer tries to use an exclusion to avoid paying a fair amount.

Are landlords liable for dog bites?

Sometimes. A Maryland landlord can be held responsible if they knew about a dangerous dog on the property, had the ability to remove it or prevent the danger, and failed to act. Landlord liability is more limited than owner liability and depends heavily on the specific facts, so it’s worth having us look at whether a landlord may share responsibility in your case. That can matter when the dog’s owner has little or no insurance of their own.

Child dog bite claims

Children are bitten more often than people expect, and their cases work differently from an adult’s. Most importantly, the filing deadline for a child’s own claim does not start running until their 18th birthday, which generally gives them until age 21 to file. A parent can also assign their rights to the minor so the child’s claim is handled together.

When a child’s case settles, Maryland adds protections for the money. Settlements involving minors often require court approval. If a minor’s net settlement is $5,000 or more, those funds generally go to a statutory trustee and are held until the child turns 18. For larger recoveries, a structured settlement, which pays out over time, is sometimes used to protect the child’s future (this is general information, not investment advice). We have handled the unique parts of children’s dog-bite cases and can walk your family through every step.

Does the dog’s breed matter?

Generally, no. Maryland’s dog-bite law is behavior-based, not breed-based, and the dog-bite statute applies to every breed the same way. While some breeds show up more often in bite statistics, breed alone does not decide liability. What matters is the dog’s behavior, the circumstances of the attack, and what the owner knew. A breed’s size and strength can still factor into how serious the injuries are and how damages are valued.

Pit bull bites

Pit bull bites in Maryland are treated like any other dog bite under the dog-bite statute. There is no statewide pit bull ban, and the law focuses on behavior, not breed. One thing to watch for is insurance: some policies carry breed-specific exclusions that can complicate coverage. We help you work through those complexities so the dog’s breed doesn’t stand between you and fair compensation.

Rottweiler bites

Rottweiler bites fall under the same dog-bite statute as every other breed. Because of the breed’s size and strength, the injuries can be severe, which may factor into the value of your claim. What the owner knew about any aggressive tendencies remains important, and we focus on the specific facts of your case.

German Shepherd bites

Maryland has no breed-specific law for German Shepherds, so the dog-bite statute applies. The breed’s size and strength may be considered when assessing damages, and the owner’s knowledge of any aggressive tendencies can matter. We focus on the circumstances of your case, not the breed.

Doberman Pinscher bites

There are no special Maryland provisions for Doberman Pinscher bites; the dog-bite statute applies regardless of breed. A breed’s reputation can sometimes come up when assessing what an owner knew about the dog’s potential to be aggressive. We evaluate each case on its own facts to pursue fair compensation.

Great Dane bites

Great Dane bite cases fall under the dog-bite statute like any other breed. Because of the dog’s large size, bites can cause serious injuries, which may be a factor in valuing damages. We make sure every aspect of the injury and its impact is considered.

Siberian Husky bites

Maryland doesn’t treat Siberian Husky bites differently; the dog-bite statute applies universally. The breed’s working-dog nature may come up when looking at whether the owner provided proper training and control. We focus on the specific circumstances of each case.

Labrador Retriever bites

Labrador Retriever bites are handled the same as any other breed under the dog-bite statute. A Lab’s generally friendly reputation might be considered when assessing what the owner knew about the dog’s tendencies, but it doesn’t change the owner’s responsibility. We evaluate each case on its own facts.

Chihuahua bites

Even though Chihuahuas are small, owners are still liable for their bites under Maryland law. A dog’s size doesn’t reduce the owner’s responsibility, though the injuries may differ from those caused by larger breeds. We can help you pursue fair compensation no matter the size of the dog.

How do county rules affect your case?

Maryland’s dog-bite statute applies statewide, but many counties add their own rules, such as leash laws, dangerous-dog procedures, and reporting requirements. Violating a local ordinance can serve as evidence of negligence in your case. We know both state law and the local rules where the bite happened.

Prince George’s County

Prince George’s County repealed its longstanding pit bull ban, effective February 2, 2026, so pit bull ownership is no longer prohibited there. This brings the county in line with Maryland’s behavior-based approach, where liability turns on the dog’s conduct and the owner’s knowledge rather than the breed. We can explain how the change affects a current or recent claim.

Montgomery County

Montgomery County has strict rules for dangerous dogs, including mandatory registration, special enclosure requirements, and muzzling in public, plus a process for declaring a dog dangerous after a bite. The county also defines when a dog is considered “at large.” We help navigate these local regulations alongside state law.

Baltimore County

Baltimore County follows Maryland’s dog-bite statute but adds local ordinances, including specific leash laws and dangerous-dog regulations, and runs its own animal control department with its own reporting procedures. Off the owner’s property, dogs must be leashed. We work in both state and local rules to build your case.

Anne Arundel County

Anne Arundel County requires dogs to be leashed or under the owner’s direct control when off the owner’s property. A violation of these leash laws can be used as evidence of negligence in a bite case. We can help determine how a leash-law violation affects your claim.

Howard County

Howard County emphasizes prevention through education and enforcement of leash and vaccination requirements, and it follows Maryland’s dog-bite statute. We help navigate both county and state rules to pursue fair compensation for bite victims in Howard County.

Harford County

Harford County follows Maryland’s dog-bite statute and adds local ordinances on responsible ownership, including leash laws and proper enclosure requirements. Violating those ordinances can be used as evidence of negligence. We’re familiar with both the county and state rules.

Carroll County

Carroll County has procedures for repeat-offender dogs, including the possibility of a dog being declared dangerous after multiple incidents. A dog’s history can affect liability, and we can investigate that history to strengthen your case.

Cecil County

Cecil County has a specific process for declaring a dog dangerous after a bite, which can involve an animal-control investigation and a hearing. A dangerous-dog designation can affect future liability and may be relevant to your claim. We can guide you through that process and what it means.

Frederick County

Frederick County requires all dog bites to be reported to the Health Department within 24 hours and mandates a 10-day quarantine for a dog that has bitten someone. These reports can provide crucial evidence. We help make sure the necessary reports are filed and used effectively.

Washington County

Washington County has specific rules for dogs in public spaces, including leash requirements and dog-park rules. Violations can affect liability for a bite that happens in a public area. We can determine how these local regulations affect your case and your potential compensation.

St. Mary’s County

St. Mary’s County follows Maryland state law in bite cases involving minors, with extra attention to the vulnerability of child victims. Settlements for minors often require court approval. We have experience handling the unique aspects of children’s dog-bite cases.

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