Types of Dog Bites

There are two main methods for determining the severity of a dog bite using either the Dunbar Dog Fight/Bite Ratio, created by veterinarian Dr. Ian Dunbar, or the scale from the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). To help you understand the scales even better, veterinarian Dr. Sophia Yin designed this educational graphic on canine bite levels.

The dog bite scale provides medical practitioners with a way to categorize an injury in relation to the dog’s behavior before and during the incident. The scales can also help your dog bite lawyer in Connecticut determine how much to ask for in compensation during your personal injury claim.

Level 1 – The Dog Displays Aggressive Behavior With No Contact

A dog may lunge at you or even snap its jaws, but it doesn’t make actual contact with your skin or clothing. This doesn’t mean that you are not at risk of suffering some harm, since a lunging dog may cause you to stumble or fall. If you have a fear of dogs, you could severely injure yourself trying to get away or suffer additional emotional trauma. 

At Level 1, the owner may not have any liability, but it is worth speaking to an animal attack attorney to discuss whether you could pursue a claim. 

Level 2 – The Dog’s Teeth Touch Your Skin Without Puncturing It

Dogs often use their mouths to explore an object, demonstrate affection to a person, or give a warning if they feel uncomfortable. When a dog actually uses its teeth on you to bite but does not break the skin, it’s considered a Level 2 bite. You could experience redness or rash, but there is no bleeding. 

As with Level 1, you could suffer injuries while moving away from the dog or trying to remove it from a child. It’s wise to get contact details from the owner, if possible, so your lawyer can prepare to file a claim if needed. You should also seek a medical evaluation to document what happened.

Level 3 – The Dog’s Teeth Cause Shallow Puncture Wounds

At Level 3, you begin to experience more serious harm from a dog bite. Physicians will measure the number and depth of the bite wounds. If there are between 1 and 4 puncture marks that are not deeper than half the dog’s canine teeth, it is considered a Level 3 bite. 

At this point, you should report the owner to the local authorities, such as Connecticut Animal Control, and speak with a dog bite attorney. They can help you file a claim against the owner’s insurance policy or prepare a case for court. With these bites, you could develop additional problems, such as infection or nerve damage, so it’s vital to have a doctor examine your injuries and prescribe treatment.

Level 4 – The Dog Inflicts Deep Puncture Wounds

At Level 4, injuries are usually much more serious, especially if the victim is an infant, small child, small adult, or elderly person. When you suffer 1 or more puncture wounds that are deeper than half the dog’s canine tooth, you can experience tears to the skin and muscle. You may also have large bruises surrounding the bite area.

You must get immediate medical attention and report the owner. You could need surgery and rehabilitative therapy to recover from the damage. Take photos of your injuries, collect your medical records, and contact an animal attack lawyer to begin your case. 

Level 5 – You Suffer Many Deep Bite Wounds

This is a severe dog bite attack, where you have multiple bites that are deep, tear or remove flesh, and require hospitalization. At this point, the dog is often considered vicious by local animal control agencies and may be euthanized. The owner could face local penalties, and you should definitely speak with an attorney to discuss what happened and how to proceed.

With Level 5 attacks, small children could lose a hand or foot, or suffer serious damage to their arms, legs, head, and torso. If the dog bites and shakes, it can break bones, damage internal organs, and cause vision loss. You will need to pursue maximum compensation to cover your extensive medical costs.

Level 6 – The Victim Dies From the Dog Bite Attack

Sometimes, a person dies during or immediately after an animal attack. According to DogsBite.org, up to 26% of annual fatalities from dog bites are children who are age 2 or younger. Adults are not immune to death from a dog bite, as 62% of those victims were women over 30 years old.

For a Level 6 attack, you have the right to file a wrongful death claim against the owner, who may also face criminal liability. A criminal trial does nothing to help you as survivors, so you must schedule a consultation with a Connecticut wrongful death lawyer to understand your options for recovering compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, and your emotional anguish over the loss. 

Even if you only experience a Level 1 encounter with a dog, you can be left with a deep-seated fear of dogs from that day forward. Children who suffer dog bites often require therapy to overcome anxiety that lingers long after their wounds heal. With more damage from the dog, you could have injuries such as:

• Muscle tearing and damage
• Blood loss
• Damage to major blood vessels
• Deep puncture wounds
• Infection from bacteria and dirt
• Facial damage to the eyes, ears, mouth, and nose
• Broken and crushed bones
• Loss of fingers, toes, hands, or feet
• Nerve damage, leading to loss of sensation and motor control
• Traumatic brain injury from falling or being pushed down by the dog
• PTSD
• Depression
• Chronic pain

Depending on your health, medical history, and age, you may end up with permanently disabling injuries after a dog bite. You may lose your sight, have brain damage, or lose fine motor control in your hands. If you can no longer perform your job, you could lose your income and ability to support yourself. Recovering compensation from the dog’s owner can help you face an uncertain future and have the resources you need to heal.

The number of dogs in the United States grows every year, and many owners are obtaining pets for the first time. They may be uneducated about how to properly train and restrain their animals. Their negligence or carelessness about handling their dogs can lead to life-changing attacks for you and others. 

According to Dog Bite Studies, almost 1,000 people need emergency medical attention after suffering serious injuries from dog bites every year. As many as 12,000 remain in the hospital for surgery and other treatment following a dog attack. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) reported 74 dog bite attacks in 2023. Most of these happened in Bridgeport, Manchester, Waterbury, West Hartford, and Willimantic.  

Even when dogs are properly socialized and trained, they are still animals and can bite in many situations. A dog may get overexcited when playing, mistake your hand for a toy or small animal, or succumb to their predatory instincts around an infant. It only takes a moment for a dog bite to change someone’s life forever, and you have the right to seek compensation from the owner to pay for your medical and other expenses with the help of a dog bite attorney.

Under Connecticut General Statute §22-357, you are able to hold at-fault owners liable for any harm their animals cause. For a personal injury claim, dog bites fall under premises liability law, which addresses injuries a person suffers on someone else’s property. Altercations with a dog are covered under the owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy as a hazard the owner should control. 

The statute applies the doctrine of strict liability, meaning the owner is responsible for the dog’s actions every time. Some states have a “one bite rule” allowing the owner to avoid consequences the first time a dog bites, but Connecticut does not. This means that any time a dog bites you or a loved one, you have the right to seek justice.

Under Connecticut dog leash laws, any owner must maintain control of their animal whenever the dog is off their home property. If you are hurt on a sidewalk, park, parking lot, or other public area, the owner must pay for any damage the dog causes. Some Connecticut municipalities have more specific ordinances governing certain dangerous dog breeds, including Hartford, New Britain, Enfield, Danbury, New Haven, and Stamford. 

Dog Owners Can Also Face Penalties for Letting Dogs With a Bite History Roam Freely

You have the right to file a civil lawsuit against a negligent dog owner, but if their animal has already demonstrated a willingness to bite in the past, the owner may face criminal liability, especially if the dog kills someone. 

Owners who know their dog will bite and still let it roam free can go to jail for up to 6 months and pay $1,000 in fines if the dog bites someone a second time. The punishments increase if the owner continues to disobey the law.

After injury from a dog bite, you have the right to recover financial relief from the losses and damages you suffer as a result of the owner’s negligence. Every case is different, but common losses include:

• ER, ICU, and hospital fees
• All your medical costs
• Emergency transportation bills
• Lost wages, bonuses, and other income
• Lost earning ability if you can’t work again
• Damage to personal property
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
• Loss of society and isolation from scarring or disfigurement
• Psychological trauma

Subjective damages, such as pain and suffering, require special calculations, but your dog bite lawyer will work to maximize what you receive whenever possible. In the event of a death, you can also seek relief for funeral costs, financial impact to the survivors, and compensation for your grief following the loss.

Bringing a dog bite claim against the owner can be challenging, even when it appears to be a clear case of negligence. You must present evidence showing how the owner’s actions or inactions directly led to your injuries. Expect the owner to defend themselves by claiming you antagonized the dog or were trespassing on their property. 

Building a strong case requires high-quality documentation about what happened, such as:

• Photos of the dog, environment, and your injuries
• Statements from witnesses
• Medical records and scans
• Testimony from animal behavior experts
• Records of previous attacks by the dog
• Photos of the owner’s property and dog’s enclosure
• Copies of local and state ordinances about dog control

By demonstrating that the owner did not take all necessary precautions to keep their dog from hurting others, you can demonstrate how the owner is financially liable for your damages. Your dog bite attorney will make every effort to negotiate a fair insurance settlement or secure a jury award by establishing how the owner’s negligence resulted in your dog bite injuries.

A Dog Owner May Not Be the Only At-Fault Party

Suppose a dog owner did everything they should to contain their dog on their property, but the fencing contractor failed to install a kennel or property fence correctly. The dog escapes the yard and bites you as you walk on the sidewalk. Who is to blame?

Consider the dilemma if a responsible dog owner leaves their pet at a daycare facility that doesn’t have sufficient locks on their doors, allowing a dog to escape and bite you. In this instance and the fencing example, your attorney may find that multiple parties are at fault. This may allow you to seek compensation from other sources besides just the owner’s insurance policy.

A dog bite can be extremely traumatizing, leaving you with scars, pain, and fear. It’s crucial to contact a skilled dog bite lawyer right away to discuss your claim, since Connecticut law only allows 2 years for you to file a case. It takes time to construct a powerful claim, and attorney Payman Tehrani is ready to help. Use our online form to schedule a free consultation with us today.