Dog Bites

Timonium-Lutherville Dog Bite Attorney

Advocating for Victims of Dog Attacks in Baltimore - Spanish Translation Available

Dog bite injuries can be very concerning. However, Maryland holds dog owners strictly liable for any damages (bites) their dogs incur. If you have been injured to some capacity by a dog bite, there are a couple of ways you can sue the dog owner. The Law Office of Justin A. Wallace is a trial firm that can help you build a strong and effective case for civil court. Timonium-Lutherville Dog Bite Attorney Justin A. Wallace will provide the personalized attention you deserve on your Maryland dog bite case and guide you efficiently through the legal process as you make your claim for damages.

Schedule a free consultation with the Law Office of Justin A. Wallace online or call (410) 996-4488 to get started with a dog bite lawyer in Timonium-Lutherville.

Understanding Dog Bite & Behavior Laws in Maryland

The Code of Maryland Section 3-1901 establishes that the dog owner is liable for any “injury, death, or loss to person or property” that their dog causes. This law concerns injuries inflicted by any dog-related behavior, not only dog bites.

However, the dog owner is not liable for damages if the injured party was doing any of the following:

  • provoking, abusing, teasing, or tormenting the dog;
  • trespassing or attempting to trespass on the dog owner’s territory;
  • committing or attempting to commit a crime on the owner’s property or against another person.

Maryland's Strict Liability & Negligence in Dog Bite Cases

Maryland handles dog bite cases under the “strict liability” rule, which states that the dog owner is liable for all damages caused by their dog, whether or not the dog owner knew their dog would act aggressively and even if they took reasonable actions to prevent the dog from causing injuries. The law also presumes that, if a dog has previously injured or killed someone, the dog owner consequently should have known their dog was dangerous. So, if the court finds that the dog has harmed someone in the past, they will presume that the dog owner knew the dog would do so again (unless the dog owner can prove otherwise).

An injured plaintiff may also sue on the grounds of negligence if not strict liability. In order to bring forward a negligence claim, the plaintiff must show that the dog owner had a duty to use reasonable care but breached that duty (e.g., the dog owner failed to properly restrain their dog), and this breach caused the plaintiff’s injuries.

Criminal Penalties for Dog Owners in Maryland

Dog bite cases may not only be civil matters but also criminal. If the dog is classified as a “dangerous dog,” the dog bite or other injury will result in criminal penalties against the dog owner. The Code of Maryland Section 10-619 defines a “dangerous dog” as a dog that has killed or inflicted severe injury on someone without provocation or that was classified as “potentially dangerous” but then:

  • bit someone;
  • killed or injured another domestic animal; or
  • attacked without being provoked.

Any violation of the above will result in misdemeanor penalties of up to $2,500 in fines and possible jail time for the dog owner.

Note that individuals are legally allowed to keep dangerous dogs – but only if they take the required precautions to care for the dog. Maryland law requires owners of dangerous dogs to abide by a number of laws, including keeping the dog on their property, restraining the dog when it goes off the property, and putting a muzzle on the dog when it’s around others. Failing to follow any of these rules constitutes a criminal misdemeanor.

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