What You Need to Know About the New York Dog Bite Laws

You were at a family gathering when everything changed in an instant. One moment your child was playing in the backyard with cousins, and the next there was a scream, and a dog you thought was gentle bit your child’s face. The shock, the panic, and the fear of what comes next stay with you long after the moment ends. Most parents never expect something like this, especially when the dog involved belongs to a friend or family member.

Across New York, children are the most frequent victims of dog bite incidents. Their smaller size, close interaction with familiar dogs, and difficulty recognizing warning signs make them particularly vulnerable. Thousands of emergency room visits occur every year, with many injuries happening at home or involving a familiar dog. Whether you’re dealing with your child’s injuries or a loved one has been attacked, the medical care, emotional trauma, and unexpected costs can be overwhelming. This is often the point when families begin to ask how New York dog bite laws work and what rights they actually have.

At a Glance

• New York Agriculture & Markets Law § 123 makes dog owners strictly liable for a victim’s medical costs.
• To recover additional damages, you must show the dog had vicious propensities or prove the owner’s negligence.
• New York does not follow a traditional one-bite rule; liability depends on the dog’s behavior and the owner’s knowledge. Since 2025, ordinary negligence is also available for broader damages.
• Most dog bite incidents involve familiar dogs or companion animals inside a home or yard.
• You may pursue compensation for medical expenses, emotional trauma, lost wages, and the long-term impact of the injury.
• New York’s statute of limitations for dog bite injury claims is three years.

Major 2025 Update: Expanded Liability for Dog Owners in New York

In a unanimous April 17, 2025, decision (Flanders v. Goodfellow, 2025 NY Slip Op 02261), the New York Court of Appeals overruled prior precedent barring negligence claims for injuries caused by domestic animals. Dog bite victims can now pursue compensation through two paths:

• Traditional strict liability: if the owner knew or should have known of the dog’s vicious propensities (as detailed below).
• Ordinary negligence: if the owner failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm (e.g., improper restraint, unsecured fencing, or other careless actions, even without prior aggressive behavior).

This landmark ruling makes it easier for many victims to recover full compensation and strengthens personal injury claims throughout New York.

What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite in New York

Taking the right steps helps protect your personal injury claim and you or your loved one’s health:

• Get medical care immediately, even if the wound seems minor.
• Report the dog bite to your local health department. This is legally required in most New York jurisdictions and creates an official record.
• Gather information about the dog, dog owner, and witnesses while memories are fresh.
• Document the injuries through photographs, medical records, and written notes.
• Avoid giving statements to insurance companies before speaking with New York dog bite lawyers.

When the insurance company becomes involved, they may attempt to limit dog bite liability by arguing the owner had no prior knowledge of aggressive behavior. Taking these steps early helps protect your rights and strengthens your case.

Why Dog Bite Injuries Are So Common Among Children in New York

New York reports thousands of dog bite injuries each year, and children are the most frequent victims. Research shows that youths are significantly more likely to suffer a dog bite accident than adults, with the face being the most common target area. On Long Island, many of these injuries involve dogs known to the victim, and many dog bite victims first seek treatment at urgent care centers or emergency rooms.

Even a single dog bite attack can leave a child with emotional trauma, fear around animals, and concerns about long-term scarring. Parents also face unexpected medical costs and, in some cases, evaluation needs when the attacking dog has a history of injuring other animals or showing aggressive behavior. These realities directly impact a personal injury claim and how New York dog bite laws apply to your situation.

How Strict Liability Works Under New York Dog Bite Laws

New York follows an expanded hybrid model following the 2025 Flanders v. Goodfellow decision. Under Agriculture & Markets Law § 123, the dog owner is strictly liable for your medical costs when a dog bite occurs. This applies whether the bite occurred at a family gathering, in a neighbor’s home, or on the owner’s property.

Strict liability automatically covers all medical expenses, including:

• Medical bills
• Future medical care
• Emergency treatment

To recover compensation beyond medical costs, such as emotional trauma, lost wages, and pain and suffering, you have two options:

1. Prove vicious propensities: Show the dog had a history of dangerous behavior and the owner knew about it.
2. Prove ordinary negligence (available since 2025): Show the owner failed to use reasonable care, such as improper restraint or unsecured fencing, even without prior aggressive behavior.

Courts may also consider whether the bite resulted in a serious physical injury, which strengthens the damages available in a dog bite case.

What Counts as Vicious Propensities in New York?

New York courts evaluate dog bite claims using principles from cases like Collier v. Zambito and Petrone v. Fernandez. A dog owner may be held liable for broader damages if the dog had a known history of dangerous behavior.

Examples of vicious propensities include:

• Prior bites or attempted bites
• Lunging, charging, or snapping
• Aggressive behavior toward children
• Attacking other animals
• Growling or showing signs of aggression
• A dog’s history of chasing visitors or displaying patterns of unsafe behavior

These actions can apply to any breed, including pit bulls, police dogs, and other domestic animals. The question is whether a reasonable person would view the dog’s history as dangerous and whether the dog owner knew or should have known about it.

If the dog’s behavior had no justification, such as an unjustified imminent threat, this may strengthen your claim. Under New York state law, these factors play a significant role in determining liability.

What If the Victim’s Actions Contributed to the Attack?

Comparative negligence does not reduce recovery for medical costs under § 123. However, it may reduce compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and other non-medical damages in claims based on vicious propensities or ordinary negligence if evidence shows the victim contributed to the incident, such as through provocation or risky behavior.

In cases involving children, courts recognize that young children often lack the ability to appreciate danger, which typically weighs against assigning significant fault to them.

What You Can Recover in a New York Dog Bite Case

Depending on the evidence and the severity of the injury, you may seek compensation for:

• Medical costs and future medical care
• Lost wages if a parent must miss work
• Emotional trauma
• Physical injury, scarring, and disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Therapy needs for dog bite victims
• Treatment for serious infections
• Long-term care for a serious injury

The value of a dog bite claim depends on the dog’s history, the injuries involved, the owner’s knowledge, and how the injury affects your daily life. Recovery is based on evidence, not averages, and an attorney can help pursue a fair settlement based on your situation.

Families often have questions after a dog bite in New York. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does New York have a one bite rule?

A: New York does not follow a traditional one-bite rule. Instead, the state uses an expanded hybrid system. Dog owners are strictly liable for your medical expenses, and additional compensation may be available if you show the dog had vicious propensities and that the owner knew about the dog’s behavior.  Since the 2025 Flanders v. Goodfellow decision, you can also pursue ordinary negligence claims regardless of the dog’s prior history.

Q: What evidence helps prove a dog’s vicious propensities?

A: Courts look at veterinary records, neighbor statements, prior complaints, past bites or attempted bites, incidents involving other animals, aggressive behavior, and whether the dog chased or lunged at visitors. Evidence showing the dog acted without justification can also strengthen your case.

Q: Will the dog owner’s insurance company cover my injuries?

A: Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies often handle dog bite claims, but coverage depends on the policy terms and how the bite occurred. Insurance companies may minimize liability or argue that the dog owner had no prior knowledge of aggressive behavior, which is why speaking with New York dog bite lawyers helps protect your rights.

Schedule Your Free Consultation With a New York Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog bites can be devastating, with serious and far-reaching consequences. Children, older adults, and even healthy, active individuals are all vulnerable when an aggressive or powerful dog attacks. Whether the dog belonged to a neighbor, a family member, or someone else in your community, a vicious dog is a danger to anyone in its vicinity. If you or a loved one suffered a dog attack, speaking with a New York dog bite lawyer provides guidance on your legal options and the steps to take next.

The Harrison Law Group, P.C. is a Long Island personal injury firm committed to helping victims of dog bite injuries recover compensation for medical care, emotional trauma, and the financial impact of the attack. Our dog bite lawyers have handled dog bite claims for more than 30 years, and many individuals searching for a “dog bite attorney near me” contact our firm because of our experience and results. Our team has successfully recovered millions of dollars for dog bite victims and continues to pursue appropriate compensation on behalf of clients throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Pursuing a personal injury claim after a dog bite not only helps you recover compensation for the harm you experienced but also supports community safety by addressing a dangerous dog’s behavior. If you choose us to represent you, you will work with knowledgeable New York dog bite lawyers who will give your case the careful attention it needs.

If you would like to discuss your situation, call (631) 465-9797 or complete our confidential online form to schedule a free consultation. Our personal injury law firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis and guides you through each step of the legal process.

Copyright © 2026. The Harrison Law Group, P.C. All rights reserved.

The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

The Harrison Law Group, P.C.
534 Broad Hollow Road, Suite 100,
Melville, New York 11747
(631) 465-9797
https://www.hlgny.com