When Your Pet Bites Someone: What Happens Next and How to Handle It
It happens fast. A visitor startles your dog. A delivery person gets too close. A child grabs your cat without warning. There’s a yelp, maybe blood, and suddenly everything changes.
No one expects their pet to bite. But when it happens, the legal system does not care about good intentions. What matters is what you do next.
At LAW, we handle the fallout of bite incidents all the time. We’ve seen families torn apart by court orders. We’ve seen animals seized, quarantined, and killed. And we’ve seen owners sued for everything from medical bills to emotional trauma.
Knowing your rights and your risks, is how you protect your animal and yourself.
What Happens Legally After a Bite
When an animal bites a person, it triggers multiple legal pathways at once. Depending on your state, local laws, and the severity of the injury, you could be facing:
Mandatory reporting. In most states, any animal bite must be reported to public health or animal control within 24 hours.
Quarantine. Your pet may be required to stay in your home, at a vet's office, or in a shelter for up to 10 days for rabies observation.
Civil lawsuits. The injured person can sue you for damages, including medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost income.
Insurance complications. Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may deny coverage or drop your policy entirely.
Criminal charges. In severe cases, if the bite was part of a pattern or involved reckless handling, you could face criminal liability.
It does not matter if your pet has never bitten before. It does not matter if the person “provoked” them. And it does not matter if the injury seems minor. What matters is how you respond.
Steps to Take Immediately
If your pet bites someone, your first priority is safety. Your second is documentation. Your third is strategy.
Secure your animal. Remove them from the situation immediately. Separate them from all people.
Assist the injured person. Offer first aid. Call for medical assistance if needed. Stay calm and non-confrontational.
Exchange contact information. Get the name and number of the injured party and any witnesses.
Document the scene. Take photos of the location, your pet, and any injuries. Make a written note of what happened.
Call your veterinarian. You’ll need up-to-date rabies vaccination records quickly.
Contact your local animal control or health department. File a report before the injured party does.
Notify your insurance company. Do not admit fault. Just report the facts.
Consult an attorney. Do not wait for a summons or accusation to get legal advice.
What Not to Do
Do not hide or move the animal without reporting the incident.
Do not post about the event on social media.
Do not sign any statements or settlements without legal counsel.
Do not assume it’s over because the bite “wasn’t serious.”
Every word you say or write could be used against you. Bite cases are emotional. They can escalate quickly. You need to stay ahead of the narrative and the law.
Insurance and Liability
Many pet owners are shocked to learn that their insurance does not cover dog bites or has breed exclusions buried in the fine print.
Common exclusions include:
Pit bulls
German shepherds
Rottweilers
Dobermans
Huskies
“Mixed breeds with guarding characteristics”
If you’re not sure what your policy covers, find out now, before there’s a problem.
Protecting Your Pet from Seizure or Euthanasia
In serious cases, or if your pet has a bite history, animal control may issue a “dangerous dog” designation or move to have your animal seized and euthanized.
You have the right to a hearing in most jurisdictions. You also have the right to legal representation.
Bite cases are complex. They involve health departments, insurance adjusters, courts, and often the media. If you do nothing, the consequences will catch up to you. If you act quickly and strategically, you may be able to protect your pet, your finances, and your future.