DOG BITES AND ANIMAL ATTACKS
New York Dog Bite Lawyer
A dog attack can cause far more than a temporary wound. Victims may face infection, nerve damage, permanent scarring, surgery, lost income and lasting emotional trauma.
Vincent C. Loiodice, Esq. personally investigates how the attack happened, what the dog’s owner or others knew, whether reasonable precautions were taken and what insurance coverage may be available.
Free consultation • Work directly with Vincent • No attorney fee unless money is recovered
THE EFFECT OF AN ATTACK CAN LAST FOR YEARS
Dog-Bite Injuries Are Not Always Minor
PROTECT YOUR HEALTH AND PRESERVE THE EVIDENCE
What Should You Do After a Dog Bite?
Obtain Medical Care
Clean the wound and obtain prompt medical attention. A healthcare professional can evaluate infection risk, tissue damage, vaccination concerns and whether further treatment is necessary.
Identify the Dog and Owner
Report the Attack
Report the incident to the appropriate police, animal-control or health authority. New York State advises reporting animal bites to the local county health department. New York City requires animal bites to be reported to the Health Department.
Preserve Photographs and Witnesses
Photograph the wounds immediately and throughout healing. Photograph the gate, fence, leash, hallway, sidewalk or property where the attack occurred. Obtain names and contact information for witnesses.
NEW YORK DOG-BITE LAW HAS CHANGED
A Dog-Injury Claim May Involve Negligence, Strict Liability or Both
For many years, New York dog-injury cases were often discussed almost entirely in terms of whether the dog had known “vicious propensities.”
In its 2025 decision in Flanders v. Goodfellow, the New York Court of Appeals changed that framework. The Court held that an injured person may pursue an ordinary-negligence claim based on a failure to exercise reasonable care, a strict-liability claim based on known dangerous propensities, or both when supported by the evidence.
This means that the absence of a known prior bite does not necessarily end every claim. The investigation may also focus on whether the person responsible for the dog acted reasonably under the circumstances.
RECENT NEW YORK LAW DEVELOPMENT
TWO PATHS TO COMPENSATION
In 2025, New York’s highest court expanded the rights of people injured by dogs. A victim may pursue strict liability when an owner knew or should have known about a dog’s dangerous behavior—or ordinary negligence when the owner failed to use reasonable care. This means a case may still be possible even if the dog never bit anyone before. Vincent investigates prior complaints, warning signs, leash or gate failures, witness accounts, and available insurance to identify every path to compensation.
Strict Liability
Evidence may include:
- A previous bite or attack
- Growling or snapping
- Lunging at visitors
- Baring teeth
- Chasing pedestrians or delivery workers
- Prior complaints
- Warning signs
- Use of a muzzle or unusual restraints
- Statements acknowledging aggressive behavior
Ordinary Negligence
Evidence may include:
- Allowing the dog to escape
- Leaving a gate open or unlocked
- Using an inadequate leash
- Failing to control the dog around visitors
- Ignoring known behavior
- Failing to separate the dog from a child
- Permitting the dog to roam in a public area
- Failing to warn someone approaching the property
A COMMONLY MISUNDERSTOOD PHRASE
Does New York Still Have a “One-Bite Rule”?
The phrase “one-bite rule” can be misleading.
A prior bite may be important evidence that an owner knew about dangerous behavior, but it has never been the only possible evidence of dangerous propensities. Growling, snapping, lunging, chasing, threatening conduct, prior complaints or the manner in which the dog was restrained may also matter.
Following Flanders, an injured person may also pursue ordinary negligence based on a failure to exercise reasonable care, even when strict liability cannot be established. Each theory must be evaluated separately under the available facts.
Key Takeaway: A dog does not necessarily receive one consequence-free attack before an injured person may have a claim.
Vincent C. Loiodice, Esq.
New York Personal Injury Lawyer
DOGS CAN CAUSE INJURIES IN MANY WAYS
Dog-Bite and Animal-Attack Cases Vincent Handles
Dog Bites
Puncture wounds, tearing injuries, infection, nerve damage and permanent scarring caused by a dog bite.
Knockdowns and Falls
Children Attacked by Dogs
Children may suffer facial wounds, permanent scars, emotional trauma and fear that require long-term treatment.
Delivery and Postal-Worker Attacks
Postal carriers, delivery workers, home-health aides, utility workers and others may be attacked while lawfully entering or approaching property.
Apartment-Building Incidents
Attacks may occur in hallways, elevators, stairways, lobbies, courtyards or common areas where landlords or managers may possess relevant information.
Loose-Dog and Public-Area Incidents
Claims may involve dogs running loose on sidewalks, streets, parks, parking areas or other places accessible to the public.
New York City Requires Dogs to Be Properly Restrained
New York City Health Code §161.05 generally provides that a person who owns, possesses or controls a dog may not permit it in a public place, or an open or unfenced area adjoining a public place, unless it is effectively restrained by a leash or other restraint no longer than six feet. Park rules contain limited exceptions for designated locations and times.
A leash-law violation does not automatically decide every civil claim, but it may become relevant to whether the person controlling the dog acted reasonably.
Public Sidewalks
The investigation may examine whether the dog was leashed and properly controlled.
Apartment Common Areas
Hallways, entrances, elevators and shared outdoor areas may produce video, witness and management evidence.
Parks and Dog Runs
The applicable park, location, hours and rules should be identified rather than assuming every park permits off-leash activity.
Speak With a New York Dog Bite Lawyer Today
Evidence That May Matter After a Dog Attack
Reconstruct the Attack
Investigate the Dog’s History
Document the Full Injury
WHEN A CHILD IS ATTACKED
A Child’s Injuries May Extend Beyond the Initial Wound
A dog attack can be especially traumatic for a child. Facial wounds may continue changing as the child grows, and the full appearance of a scar may not be understood during the earliest stages of treatment.
A child may experience:
- Facial or scalp injuries
- Permanent visible scarring
- Plastic or reconstructive surgery
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety around dogs
- Fear of returning to the attack location
- Counseling or psychological treatment
- Bullying or embarrassment about appearance
Free consultation • Work directly with Vincent • No attorney fee unless money is recovered
ATTACKED WHILE WORKING
Dog Bites Involving Delivery Workers, Postal Carriers and Other Employees
Postal workers, food-delivery workers, package drivers, utility employees, home-health aides, building workers and other employees may be required to approach unfamiliar property as part of their work.
A worker attacked while performing job duties may potentially have:
- A workers’ compensation claim through the employer; and
- A separate personal injury claim against the dog owner or another responsible party.
These claims involve different benefits, legal rules and insurance coverage. The existence of workers’ compensation does not necessarily eliminate a third-party dog-injury claim.
IDENTIFYING EVERY POTENTIAL CLAIM
Who May Be Responsible for a Dog Attack?
IDENTIFYING AVAILABLE COVERAGE
What Insurance May Cover a Dog-Bite Claim?
A dog-injury claim is often presented to an insurance company rather than paid personally by the dog owner.
Injuries Caused by Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
The injury documentation should not stop when the wound closes. Scar appearance, restricted movement, nerve symptoms, future surgery, emotional consequences and the effect on employment and daily activities may continue developing over time.
Puncture and tearing wounds
Infection and complications
Nerve, tendon or muscle damage
Fractures and fall injuries
Permanent scars and disfigurement
Anxiety, nightmares and emotional trauma
What Compensation May Be Available?
Medical Treatment and Future Care
Lost Earnings and Reduced Earning Capacity
Pain, Scarring and Emotional Harm
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
How Long Do You Have to Bring a New York Dog-Bite Claim?
New York’s general statute of limitations for a personal injury action is commonly three years, but exceptions and shorter deadlines may apply depending on the age of the injured person, the identity of the defendant and other circumstances.
Waiting is dangerous even when the filing deadline appears distant. Video may be erased, witnesses may disappear, property conditions may change and records concerning the dog may become harder to locate.
PERSONAL ATTENTION FROM THE BEGINNING
Why Your Dog Bite Case Deserves Direct Attorney Attention
Clients are not passed from one unfamiliar person to another. Vincent personally reviews how the attack occurred, identifies the parties and insurance coverage that may apply, explains the legal process and determines what evidence should be preserved.
Detailed Investigation
Prepared for Litigation
Clear Communication
Vincent keeps clients informed, answers questions and explains what is happening throughout the case.
What Injured New Yorkers Say About Vincent
COMMON QUESTIONS
New York Dog-Bite FAQs
No. A prior bite may be evidence that the owner knew about dangerous behavior, but other conduct may establish knowledge. Following Flanders v. Goodfellow, an injured person may also pursue ordinary negligence based on a failure to exercise reasonable care, even when strict liability cannot be established.
That statement does not automatically decide the case. Witnesses, neighbors, prior complaints, delivery workers, veterinary records, warning signs, restraints and the circumstances of the attack should be investigated.
Potentially, yes. New York animal-injury law is not limited to puncture wounds. A person may suffer fractures, head injuries or other harm after being chased, jumped on or knocked to the ground.
Possibly, but landlord liability is highly fact-specific. Relevant issues may include notice of the dog, knowledge of dangerous behavior, control over the premises and the ability to require removal or confinement. Post-Flanders negligence law concerning landlords continues to develop.
Photograph the wound immediately and throughout healing. Also photograph the dog when it can be done safely, the leash, gate, fence, door, hallway, sidewalk and any warning signs. Preserve damaged clothing and obtain witness information.
Yes. Report the incident to the appropriate health, animal-control or police authority. New York State advises contacting the county health department, and New York City requires animal bites to be reported to its Health Department.
Possible coverage may include homeowners, renters, landlord, commercial or umbrella insurance. Coverage depends on the actual policy, insured parties, exclusions and facts.
You may have a workers’ compensation claim and a separate personal injury claim against a dog owner or other responsible party. The two claims should be coordinated carefully.
Obtain prompt medical care and preserve photographs throughout the healing process. Facial scarring, future plastic surgery and emotional effects may require evaluation over time.
New York personal injury claims are commonly subject to a three-year limitations period, but exceptions or shorter periods can apply. The correct deadline should be calculated from the specific facts.
The initial consultation is free. There is no attorney fee on the personal injury claim unless money is recovered for you.
Yes. Consultations are available at the Staten Island and Elmont offices, by telephone or by video.
Local Dog-Bite Representation. Direct Access to Vincent.
The Law Office of Vincent C. Loiodice represents people injured by dog bites and dog attacks throughout New York, including Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Long Island, and nearby communities.
With offices in Staten Island and Elmont, the firm offers in-person, phone, and video consultations. Vincent investigates how the attack happened, whether the dog showed prior warning signs, what insurance coverage may apply, and what evidence is needed to build the claim. The goal is to pursue full compensation for medical treatment, scarring, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.