If a dog escapes another’s property and attacks you on yours, that’s easy: clear liability in PA. But let’s say you were bitten by a dog while you’re standing on another’s real property as a social guest, delivery driver, etc. Whether you were invited onto the property, merely…
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Fireworks, Family Gatherings, and Liability For Frightened Dogs
The Fourth of July is a time for fireworks, backyard cookouts, family reunions, and neighborhood celebrations. For many people, it is one of the highlights of the summer. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most stressful weekends of the year for dogs. As a result, it can become an…
Who Pays Your Medical Bills After a Dog Attack in PA?
Many people assume that if a dog attacks them, they must prove the owner was negligent before anyone is responsible for their medical bills. Pennsylvania law, however, provides important statutory protection for victims of dog attacks. Under Pennsylvania’s Dog Law, the owner or keeper of a dog may be legally…
Dog Owners Increasingly Face Jail Time for Serious Dog Attacks
Pennsylvania and many other states have rarely imposed imprisonment for the owner of a dog that fatally attacks someone. In fact, in PA, an online search reveals only one instance in the past ten years where a person served jail time for his dog mauling someone. But times are changing. …
Dog Bite Awareness Month | June 2026
Each June, communities across the country observe National Dog Bite Awareness Month designed to reduce preventable dog attacks and promote responsible pet ownership. In Pennsylvania, the effort has become especially important as dog bite incidents involving mail carriers, delivery workers, children, and pedestrians continue to rise. One of…
Taxation of Dog Attack Settlements in PA
Is A Dog Bite Recovery “Income”? One of the most common questions people ask when settling a dog bite claim is: “Do I have to pay taxes on this money?” The answer is usually no for the injury-related portions of the recovery—but things get complicated when you recover money for lost…
Wrongful Death or Survival Action
Fatal Dog Attacks in Pennsylvania: Legal Rights and Remedies Dog attacks are traumatic events, which can cause not only lasting physical and emotional scars, but also death, especially for those most vulnerable, including the very young and old. When a fatal dog attack occurs in Western Pennsylvania, surviving family members…
Rising Number of Attack-Related Deaths
A Persistent—and Growing—Public Safety Issue Dogs are overwhelmingly viewed as companions—family members, protectors, and emotional supports. Yet beneath that cultural reality lies a far more troubling truth: data from federal health sources show that dogs kill roughly 30 to 50 people per year in the United States, with an average of…
PA Dog Bite Law: Consequence of a “Severe Injury”
Pennsylvania dog bite law has evolved significantly, and much of that evolution centers on how statutory violations translate into civil liability through negligence per se. As we’ve discussed elsewhere on this site, Pennsylvania courts recognize negligence per se when a defendant violates a statute designed to protect a…
Dog Bite Investigation & Right to Know (RTK) Requests in PA
Investigating Dog Bite Claims Canine attack cases often begin with very little reliable information. A victim may know only the dog owner’s first name, a vague description of the animal, or the location where the attack occurred. In transient settings—public parks, sidewalks, or apartment complexes—the alleged owner may be a…