GlastonburyDog Bite Attorney

Dogs are mankind’s best friend; yet, many people in the United States are victims of dog bites every year. Dogs can be docile, gentle, and sweet with the proper training and socialization. However, many owners tend to neglect proper training, which can lead to numerous behavioral issues like biting. Our dog bite lawyer explains what circumstances can lead to dire situations. Some of these include:

• Improper Training: Dog owners can be neglectful when training their dog. There are times when dogs cannot follow proper commands or lack the necessary socialization to be around other dogs or people. As a result, these dogs can be aggressive and bite. 
• Fear or Anxiety: Dogs that lack proper introduction to other dogs or people may be anxious or fearful. In those scenarios, dogs could lash out and bite indiscriminately as a defense mechanism. It can be particularly worrisome when victims of dog bites are small children. 
• Abuse or Neglect: Unfortunately, there are dogs that do not have a happy forever home. Some dogs experience severe neglect and abuse by their owner. As a result, abused and neglected dogs can be incredibly aggressive and use dog bites as a defense mechanism.  
• Illness: Sick dogs can display aggressive behavior as a result of pain or suffering. Many times, the aggression can be territorial, which can be deadly if the victim is a small child. An ill dog should seek medical attention immediately to not only help the dog, but also to avoid potentially dangerous behavior towards people. 

Although many cities have enacted legislation to combat the issue, specific-breed legislation is not the most effective answer to address negligent owners. Instead, by understanding how and why dog bites happen, victims of dog bites can utilize this knowledge to maximize their compensation. At Tehrani Law Group, our Glastonbury animal attack attorney will ensure that irresponsible dog owners compensate dog bite victims to the fullest extent possible. 

In Connecticut dog owners are liable for any damages caused by their animal.  This covers damages made to body and property.  The exception is if the damage happened while an individual was abusing, teasing, tormenting the dog, or trespassing on the property where it lives or is kept. 

Law Enforcement Officers, or members of their household, where dogs have been assigned by the federal government, state, or town may be exempt from liability.  In addition, owners of dogs that attack children under the age of 7 who are trespassing or teasing the dog may be exempt from liability, unless it can otherwise be proven. 

Here are three things to know about Connecticut’s dog bite laws: 

• Strict Liability: In Connecticut, dog owners are strictly liable for harm caused by their animal (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357). You are not required to prove negligence or misconduct on the part of the dog owner to bring a successful personal injury claim. A dog owner has a proactive obligation to protect people from their animal.
• Two-Year Statute of Limitations: There is a two-year statute of limitations for dog bite injury claims in Connecticut. With limited exceptions, you have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. Do not wait to get the ball rolling on your case: Consult with a Connecticut dog bite injury lawyer as soon as possible.
• Defenses May Be Raised: While dog bite injury claims are subject to a strict liability standard, a dog owner can raise defenses. The two primary defenses against dog bite injury claims in Connecticut are: 1) Trespassing and 2) Provocation. If you have questions about either type of defense, a Glastonbury dog bite injury attorney can help.

Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries in Glastonbury

Dogs can bite people under any circumstance at any time. While it is true that dog behavior falls largely on its owner, there are certain breeds that are statistically more prone to biting. It is important to take these statistics seriously, as knowing what to expect when around these dogs can prepare a family for unexpected attacks. In 2025, the Ten Most Dangerous Dog Breeds are:

• Pittbull
• Rottweiler
• German Shepherds
• American Bulldog
• Bullmastiff
• Siberian Huskies
• Labrador Retrievers
• Boxers
• Doberman Pinscher
• Alaskan Malamutes

Each of these dogs has bites with high pressure per square inch (“PSI”) levels. Some dogs on the list may be surprising, like Labrador Retrievers or Siberian Huskies. However, due to their popularity and high population, the rate of aggressive dogs in those breeds is still high. As such, a dog owner should never assume that their dog will not attack just because it is a popular breed of dog. 

Who Is Liable for Dog Bites in Glastonbury, CT?

Our animal attack attorney understands that victims of dog bites deserve compensation for the injuries and trauma they experienced. As such, it is important to understand liability after a dog bite occurs.

Under the Connecticut General Statutes § 22-357, at the time of the attack, the dog owner, or its keeper, is strictly liable for any damage incurred during, and after, a dog bite. This means that the dog owner is liable regardless of any prior knowledge of the attack or whether the victim suffered a dog bite injury while trespassing. 

Additionally, Glastonbury has ordinances that address potentially harmful situations that could lead to dog bites. In Chapter 4, § 4.1 of the Glastonbury Municipal Code, a dog owner is liable if the owner allows their dog to roam onto another person’s property, or if the dog barks uncontrollably. Lastly, Chapter 14, § 14-39, prohibits dogs from running at large in a park or a reserve unless they are leashed or tethered. 

In some cases, the law may recognize shared liability between the dog owner and another person. In these circumstances, the question becomes whether the third party had any control of the dog at the time of the attack. If the third party did have control or was the keeper of the dog, the victim may seek additional compensation for their damages. 

Can a Dog Owner Be Criminally Prosecuted for Their Dog’s Actions?

In certain circumstances, a dog owner can be criminally charged for their dog’s attack. It is a criminal offense to allow a dog to roam, harass, and harm people. Some actions by dogs that can be troublesome for dog owners include uncontrollable barking, snapping, growling, and biting. 

The penalties under the statute against a dog owner will depend on whether the dog is a repeat offender. If the dog owner is found guilty for the first time, the dog owner will have to pay a fine of $25 and could receive a sentence of up to 30 days in jail. If the dog owner’s dog is categorized as a “repeat offender,” the fine can range from $50 to $100, and the dog owner could receive a sentence of up to 60 days in jail. 

Connecticut also punishes dog owners for dogs that have a “vicious disposition.” If a dog owner knowingly allows a “vicious” dog to roam and that dog injures someone, the dog owner could face several penalties, such as fines up to $1000, imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both. 

Dog bites can be painful and traumatic. Dog bite victims can suffer long-lasting medical problems that can not only affect them physically and emotionally, but also financially. The cost of medical treatment in the United States rises every year, and dog bite victims are the ones who bear the cost. The following are some medical expenses that can arise from dog bites: 

• Treatment of Infections and Diseases: Dogs can carry diseases that make their bites deadly. Some dogs may carry rabies, which is a fatal viral infection that can be deadly if untreated. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)is necessary if there is any uncertainty about the dog’s vaccination status. Likewise, tetanus can cause muscle stiffness and spasms, requiring a booster shot if the victim has not been recently immunized. Infections and diseases may carry exorbitant medical costs, especially if the victim sought medical help many months after exposure.

• Reconstructive Procedures: Dog bite pressure can be measured through pounds per square inch (“PSI”). The higher the PSI, the more destructive the damage. Certain dog bites can produce so much pressure that they break bones. If a victim has to undergo significant medical reconstruction, they are looking to pay hundreds to thousands of dollars in medical bills. The costs can be higher when the victim is a child. 
• Physical Therapy: If the dog bite is significantly severe, the victim will have to undergo physical therapy. The time spent in physical therapy will depend on a myriad of factors, such as the severity of damage, the victim’s response to therapy, or the possibility of additional surgeries along the way. Physical therapy can be expensive, and there are instances where insurance may not cover the cost.  

• Psychological Counseling: A dog bite attack can be incredibly traumatic to the victim. Many victims could become scared of dogs, or they may not trust dogs again. Such fear could affect the victim’s life socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Therapy and counseling may be a process many victims partake in to overcome their fears and anxiety. Weekly therapy sessions can be costly, as some psychotherapists may incur high fees. 
• Injuries to Children: Although a dog bite can negatively affect anyone, it is children who are at the highest risk of physical and emotional damage. Negligent dog owners can put children in harm’s way by allowing their dog to roam, harass, and bite children. Due to their small size, a dog attack by a big dog could be deadly for a child. This is particularly concerning when the child is dealing with a “vicious breed.”

The above financial burdens range from immediate medical attention to long-term physical therapy and PTSD recovery. For children, the damage and cost can be exponentially higher. including redness, swelling, or oozing pus—should cause you to head to the emergency room.

A victim can maximize the possibility of receiving medical compensation by seeking legal representation. There are two ways in which a dog bite attorney can help victims:

• Filing an Insurance Claim: Usually, victims can be compensated through the dog owner’s renter’s or homeowner’s insurance. The victim’s attorney would compile several evidentiary documents, such as medical bills, physical therapy bills, proof of lost wages, etc., and send them to the insurance company for coverage of damages. Certain insurance companies may not cover all dog breeds, or they may minimize the payout to the victim.
• Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit: When an insurance company and the victim do not agree on the amount of compensation for the injury, a personal injury lawsuit is usually the next step. A personal injury lawsuit is adversarial in nature, meaning that the victim and the insurance company are represented by attorneys. Our Glastonbury dog bite attorney needs to show that you were lawfully present in the property or area where the attack occurred to win the suit. 

Having zealous legal representation can go a long way. Our animal attack lawyer has the experience necessary to ensure that victims of dog bites are fully compensated for their injuries. Whether it is dealing with an insurance claim or representing victims in a personal injury lawsuit, finding an attorney who will advocate for you is an important step to maximizing compensation.

What Types of Compensation Can a Victim of a Dog Bite Receive?

Overcoming the prohibitive costs of a dog bite attack can be troublesome for some families. Receiving proper legal representation can minimize these costs, especially when substantial costs are at stake. At Tehrani Law Group, our dog bite attorney has achieved numerous successful case results for victims. Some of the different types of compensation currently available after a dog attack include:

• Medical expenses for emergency treatment, wound care, and rehabilitative services
• Lost wages if your injuries prevented you from working or required extended recovery time
• Pain and suffering for the physical pain, nerve damage, and lasting discomfort caused by the attack
• Emotional and psychological trauma 
• Loss of earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your job or limit your ability to work
• Property damage for torn clothing, broken medical devices, or other personal belongings damaged in the attack
• Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the dog owner acted recklessly or ignored previous warnings about their pet’s aggression

Dog bite compensation can be complicated, particularly when dealing with insurance companies. On the one hand, victims can sue the dog owner’s insurance company. Many times, the insurance companies will refuse to compensate victims to the fullest extent of their injuries, thus leading to litigation. On the other hand, insurance companies that cooperate will offer settlement offers that barely cover any medical expenses. In either scenario, our dog bite lawyers are ready to engage insurance companies to overcome these hurdles. 

Finding your ground after a dog bite can be difficult; yet, you do not have to do it alone. Tehrani Law Group has a reputation for representing its clients effectively and obtaining results that will ensure proper compensation. Call our office or fill out our online contact form today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation and learn more about your opportunities for legal recourse.