Baltimore, MD asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for Maryland

Q: What should I do if my dog who is not considered as a dangerous dog got to bite someone

2 Lawyer Answers
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
Answered
  • Rockville, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: Did your dog bite someone? If so, and if the person either is filing a claim for personal injuries or called the police/animal control, then you need to respond to both. The county code generally controls the determination of whether a dog is dangerous or not, and most counties have a two-bite or two incident threshold, depending on severity of the attack. Most bite attacks result in quarantine of the dog until a determination of vicious or dangerous dog is made, and you are given legal rights to challenge such a determination at a trial or hearing. Typically, however, it is the second such incident that could result in more than a fine (i.e., permanent removal or euthanizing the dog). Your homeowner's or renter's insurance, if you have such a policy, would cover any civil damage claims for injuries suffered on account of your dog attacking someone; however, some policies exclude dog attacks or only cover the first such claim and then exclude future coverage.

Timothy E. Howie
PREMIUM
Timothy E. Howie
Answered
  • Annapolis, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: You should immediately report the incident to your homeowners insurance company.

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