Dog owners and keepers have a duty to keep the animals under control, especially those that might pose a danger of attacking other people. Connecticut law provides remedies for dog bite victims to seek financial compensation for their injuries. Which remedies are most suitable depends on the particular dog and the circumstances of the attack.

Connecticut has a dog bite statute that imposes strict liability on dog owners and keepers for an unprovoked attack. Even if a certain dog had never previously exhibited vicious or dangerous behavior, the owner or keeper is liable for all damages. This includes not only bite injuries but any other harm the victim suffered in the attack, such as trauma from falling onto the ground. Strict liability applies even if the owner or keeper took reasonable measures to control the animal. A dog handler or pet kennel owner or employee may be liable as a keeper under the statute.

However, there are exceptions to the statute. An owner or keeper is not be liable to a bite victim who was teasing, abusing or tormenting their dog or who was intentionally trespassing on the owner’s property. A child under the age of seven is presumed not to have taken such actions.

Dog bite victims alternatively can recover money damages under state common law by proving that the owner or another person responsible for the dog was negligent. There must be evidence that person knew or should have known of the dog’s vicious tendencies and/or failed to properly control the dog. This cause of action can be brought against someone other than the dog’s owner, such as the landlord of an apartment building who has a legal duty to keep tenants and guests safe from hazards on the premises.

There may be cases in which a dog bite victim can allege that the dog attack was intentional — that is, the owner or other person in charge of the dog knew of the dog’s vicious tendencies and purposely ordered or allowed the dog to attack. When a case is brought under the intentional tort theory, the victim may be entitled to punitive damages, which are meant to punish extreme and outrageous behavior. However, intent to cause an attack is usually hard to prove.

In some dog bite cases, it is difficult to find out who owned or was otherwise responsible for the dog, as well as other circumstances relevant to different types of liability. An experienced personal injury attorney can analyze your case and determine the remedy best suited to getting you the compensation you deserve.

Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. in Hamden and East Haven represents clients in personal injury cases throughout Connecticut. If you or a family member has been hurt in a dog attack, contact us online or call 203-745-0942 for a free initial consultation.