Dog Bite Lawyer in New York City

A dog bite in New York City raises practical questions right away: who owns the dog, whether insurance applies, and how much time there is to act. Bisogno & Meyerson, LLP reviews dog bite and animal attack matters for people in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and the other boroughs. The firm’s office is at 7018 Fort Hamilton Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Staten Island and other NYC clients are represented from Brooklyn.

A dog bite claim is not automatically a claim against the owner. New York has its own rules about when an owner is legally responsible, and they differ from what many people assume. This page explains the main ideas in plain terms. For the firm’s broader injury work, see personal injury law. For a look at the stages of a lawsuit, read how long personal injury cases take in New York.

How New York Law Treats Dog Bites

New York’s approach to injuries caused by domestic animals is narrower than many people expect. The path that comes up most often is liability based on vicious propensities. In general, if an owner knew or should have known that a dog had a tendency to behave in a way that endangers people, the owner can be held strictly liable for injuries that result, meaning the injured person does not also have to prove ordinary carelessness. People often call this the “one-bite rule,” but the phrase is shorthand. A prior bite is one way to show knowledge. Earlier lunging, aggressive behavior toward people, or prior complaints can also matter, depending on the facts.

Whether a separate negligence claim is available against a dog owner is a more technical question. New York courts have limited ordinary negligence theories where a domestic animal causes harm, although facts such as an owner’s failure to follow leash requirements can be relevant to the analysis. New York City health rules generally require dogs in public places to be leashed. State law also has dangerous-dog procedures under the Agriculture and Markets Law, and in some situations those provisions address an owner’s responsibility for the medical costs of a person who was bitten. Which theory fits depends on the dog’s history and the circumstances.

Common NYC Dog Bite Situations

Sidewalks, parks, and building entrances

Many city bites happen in public: on a sidewalk, in a park, in a lobby, or near a stoop. Early questions include whether the dog was leashed and who was holding the leash. If you can do so safely, get the owner’s contact information and ask about the dog’s vaccination records.

Homes, yards, and apartment buildings

Bites also happen in private homes, shared yards, and apartment buildings. The owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy is often involved, although policy terms and exclusions vary and should be reviewed rather than assumed. A landlord is not automatically responsible for a tenant’s dog; those cases turn on specific facts. For other property-based claims, see premises liability.

Workers and visitors

People who come to a property for work or a visit, such as delivery workers and guests, are sometimes bitten. A bite that happens on the job can involve workers’ compensation as well as a claim against the dog’s owner, and those tracks use different rules.

Defenses and Facts That Can Matter

Owners and insurers commonly raise several points. They may argue that the dog had never shown a dangerous tendency, that the injured person provoked the animal, or that the person was trespassing. New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule under CPLR 1411, which means an injured person’s own share of fault reduces damages rather than automatically barring a claim. Our blog explains what comparative negligence means in New York.