U.S. Dog Bite Liability Laws by State

This table provides an overview of dog bite liability laws across different U.S. states, summarizing each state's approach to determining legal responsibility for dog-related injuries. It includes strict liability statutes, negligence-based approaches, and relevant penal codes for reference. Understanding these legal distinctions can help dog owners and victims navigate potential legal disputes.

Strict Liability vs. Negligence: Most states impose strict liability for dog bites, meaning the owner is automatically responsible, regardless of prior incidents. However, some states apply negligence rules, where liability depends on the owner's knowledge of the dog's behavior.
Chart: The Texas Law DogSource: The Texas Law DogGet the dataDownload imageCreated with Datawrapper