Suffering a dog bite can be an incredibly painful and traumatic experience. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite in Pittsburgh, speaking with a Pittsburgh dog bite lawyer can help you understand your legal options after a serious attack.
At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C., our dedicated team is ready to help you pursue justice and the compensation you deserve. Dog bite injury claims can be complex, but our team of experienced attorneys works tirelessly to hold negligent dog owners accountable and pursue compensation for your injuries.
Bitten by a dog? Contact Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C. today or call us at (412) 391-7610 for a free consultation regarding your injury.
Dog Bite Incidents in Pittsburgh & Allegheny County
Dog bites can cause far more than immediate pain. They can create urgent concerns about infection, rabies exposure, medical treatment, time away from work, and permanent scarring. Local data underscores why prompt reporting and medical follow-up matter.
The Allegheny County Health Department receives and follows up on animal-bite reports as part of its public-health work, including rabies prevention and recommendations about appropriate follow-up. A report can help identify the dog, locate its owner, verify vaccination information, and determine whether the animal must be confined for observation.
How Pennsylvania Dog Bite Laws Affect Your Case
Pennsylvania law generally requires a dog owner or keeper to keep the dog confined, firmly secured, or under the reasonable control of a person. A failure to restrain or control a dog may be important evidence in a dog bite claim.
A dog bite claim may involve more than one legal issue. The available compensation can depend on the seriousness of the injury, the dog’s propensity to attack humans or animals, where the attack occurred, whether the owner violated a leash or restraint requirement, and whether the owner knew or should have known the dog posed a danger.
Pennsylvania dog bite laws include:
- 3 P.S. § 459-502: Pennsylvania law generally requires the owner or keeper of a dog that bites or attacks a person to pay the victim’s medical-treatment costs. A victim may also have a claim for additional damages, such as lost income, pain and suffering, or disfigurement, when the facts support a negligence or other civil claim. Prior aggressive behavior may be relevant in evaluating those additional claims.
- 3 P.S. § 459-505-A: Pennsylvania’s dangerous-dog provisions may impose additional requirements and penalties in certain cases involving severe injury, death, or a dog classified as dangerous. These provisions are separate from a victim’s civil claim for compensation.
- 7 Pa. Code § 16.23: A dog that bites or attacks a person must generally be confined and isolated for at least 10 days so officials can evaluate the animal’s status following the incident. The investigating officer is responsible for notifying the victim of the medical results of the confinement.
In a civil claim, the specific facts matter. Evidence that an owner allowed a dog to roam, failed to use a leash or muzzle, ignored prior aggressive behavior, or failed to secure the animal may support a negligence claim for losses beyond medical expenses, including lost income, pain and suffering, and disfigurement.
Why Dog Bite Incidents Are a Serious Concern
Dog bites can require emergency treatment and may cause lasting physical and emotional effects. In 2024, the Allegheny County Health Department received 2,194 unique animal-bite reports, including 1,670 reports involving dogs. Dogs accounted for 77.4% of reported bites in the county.
National injury-surveillance data also show that dog bites remain a significant source of emergency treatment. A peer-reviewed analysis of CDC data estimated 349,961 emergency department visits for dog-bite injuries in the United States in 2018.
The consequences of an attack may extend beyond the initial wound. Depending on the injury and medical evaluation, a victim may need wound cleaning, antibiotics, tetanus vaccination, rabies-related evaluation, surgery, physical therapy, counseling, or reconstructive treatment.
In Allegheny County’s 2024 reported-bite data, 73.1% of dog-bite victims were reported to have received antibiotics, 36.2% received a tetanus vaccine, and 8.98% began rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. These figures reflect reported cases and treatment information collected by the Health Department, not a recommendation that every dog-bite victim needs the same treatment.
Children can be especially vulnerable to dog-bite injuries. In Allegheny County, the reported bite rate in 2024 was highest among children ages 0 to 9, at 350.45 reported bites per 100,000 people.
The effects can also be psychological. A victim may experience anxiety around dogs, sleep disturbances, post-traumatic stress symptoms, or fear of returning to the location where the attack occurred. A serious dog bite can affect a person’s health, work, daily activities, and quality of life.
Common Injuries in Dog Bite Cases
A dog bite can cause far more than a superficial cut. Depending on the dog’s size, the force of the attack, the victim’s age, and the area of the body affected, injuries may require extensive medical treatment and may leave permanent effects.
Common injuries in Pittsburgh dog bite cases include:
- Puncture wounds, torn skin, and deep lacerations
- Crushing injuries to muscles, ligaments, tendons, or nerves
- Injuries to arteries or veins that cause serious blood loss
- Broken bones or fall-related injuries during an attack
- Hand, finger, facial, head, neck, or eye injuries
- Infections and complications requiring antibiotics or hospitalization
- Permanent scars, disfigurement, or the need for reconstructive surgery
- Psychological trauma, including anxiety, nightmares, and fear of dogs
Seek prompt medical attention after a dog bite, particularly if the bite breaks the skin, is deep, involves the face or hands, or shows signs of infection. A medical professional can assess wound care, tetanus status, and whether rabies-related evaluation is appropriate.
Recoverable Damages in Dog Bite Claims
Victims of dog bites may be entitled to various forms of compensation depending on the severity of their injuries and the circumstances of the incident. Recoverable damages typically include:
- Medical Expenses: Covers hospital bills, surgeries, medication, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages: Provides compensation if the injuries prevent you from working temporarily or permanently.
- Pain and Suffering: Accounts for physical pain, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Disfigurement Compensation: For permanent scars or changes to appearance resulting from the attack.
- Punitive damages: In limited cases, punitive damages may be available when the evidence shows especially egregious or reckless conduct. They are not available in every dog bite claim.
A dog bite lawyer can evaluate the facts of your case, identify potential categories of damages, and pursue the compensation supported by the evidence and applicable law.
How Much Is a Pittsburgh Dog Bite Case Worth?
There is no standard settlement amount for a Pittsburgh dog bite claim. The potential value of a claim depends on the available evidence, the severity of the injury, the losses involved, the applicable law, and any available insurance coverage.
Factors that may affect the value of a dog bite case include:
- Severity of the injury: Deep puncture wounds, nerve damage, fractures, infection, facial injuries, or injuries requiring surgery often result in greater losses than minor injuries that heal quickly.
- Medical expenses: A claim may seek reimbursement for reasonable medical costs related to the attack, including emergency care, ambulance transport, wound treatment, surgery, medication, therapy, counseling, reconstructive procedures, and medically supported future-care needs.
- Lost wages and earning capacity: A victim may lose income while recovering. If an injury creates lasting restrictions that affect the person’s ability to work, diminished future earning capacity may also be relevant.
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement: Visible scars, especially on the face, hands, arms, or legs, can affect a victim long after the wound closes. Scar-revision treatment, reconstructive surgery, and the personal impact of a permanent change in appearance may all matter.
- Pain and emotional trauma: A dog attack can cause significant physical pain as well as anxiety, fear of dogs, sleep disruption, embarrassment, or post-traumatic stress symptoms.
- The victim’s age and daily life: Injuries to a child, older adult, worker, athlete, or person with preexisting medical vulnerabilities may have different consequences and require different forms of proof.
- Evidence of owner negligence: An owner’s failure to restrain a dog, use a leash, secure a yard, comply with local rules, or respond to known aggressive behavior can be important evidence.
- Available insurance coverage: Homeowners, renters, umbrella, or other liability coverage may be available, although policy exclusions, coverage limits, and the facts of the incident can affect recovery.
Pennsylvania law states that a dog owner or keeper must fully pay the medical-treatment costs resulting from an attacking or biting dog. Additional damages may depend on the facts of the case and the legal theory that applies.
Preserving records can make a meaningful difference. Keep copies of medical bills, work-loss records, photographs, prescription receipts, report numbers, and communications with the dog owner or an insurance company whenever possible. Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C. can evaluate your losses and seek fair compensation supported by the evidence and applicable law.
Speak with our Pittsburgh dog bite attorneys about the losses you have experienced. Call (412) 391-7610 for a free case evaluation.
What to Do If a Dog Bites You in Pittsburgh
The steps you take after a dog bite can protect both your health and your ability to pursue a claim. If you are in immediate danger or need emergency medical help, call 911.
- Get medical care promptly. Even a bite that appears minor can become infected or require tetanus or rabies injections, or other medical evaluation. Follow your provider’s treatment instructions and keep copies of all records.
- Identify the dog and owner if you can do so safely. Ask for the owner’s name, address, phone number, and insurance information. Record the dog’s description, license information if available, and rabies-vaccination details. Do not try to capture or approach an unfamiliar dog.
- Report the attack to Pittsburgh Animal Care & Control. If the bite occurred in the City of Pittsburgh, contact Pittsburgh Animal Care & Control. If the dog presents an immediate danger or you need emergency assistance, call 911.
- Report the bite to the Allegheny County Health Department. The Health Department receives animal-bite reports and provides rabies-exposure guidance. Your medical provider or first responder may also have reporting responsibilities, but you should confirm that the incident has been reported and retain any report or case number available.
- Document the attack and your injuries. Take clear photographs and video of your wounds as soon as possible and throughout healing. Photograph the dog, the location, broken fencing or gates, warning signs, leash conditions, bloodstains, torn clothing, and any other relevant physical evidence.
- Collect witness information. Obtain the names, phone numbers, email addresses, and brief accounts of anyone who saw the attack, observed the dog loose or unrestrained, or has information about earlier aggressive behavior.
- Preserve evidence and records. Keep damaged clothing, medical paperwork, receipts, prescription records, work-loss documentation, police or animal-control report numbers, and all communications with the dog owner or an insurer.
- Be cautious when communicating with an insurer. Before accepting a settlement or providing a recorded statement, consider speaking with a lawyer and make sure you understand the nature of your injuries and treatment needs.
A report can serve an important public-health purpose and may help establish key facts about the dog, its owner, vaccination status, and quarantine or observation process. Pennsylvania requires a dog that bites or attacks a person to be confined and isolated for at least 10 days, subject to the applicable rules and investigating officer’s direction.
How a Pittsburgh Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help
Dog bite claims require a careful investigation. An attorney can gather and preserve evidence before it disappears, identify potentially available insurance coverage, evaluate the owner’s conduct, obtain relevant reports, and calculate the full financial and personal impact of the injury.
A Pittsburgh dog bite lawyer may help by:
- Obtaining Animal Care & Control, police, and health-department records.
- Identifying the dog’s owner, keeper, and applicable insurance policies.
- Collecting medical records, photographs, witness statements, and proof of lost income.
- Investigating whether the dog was loose, unrestrained, improperly confined, or known to be dangerous.
- Communicating with insurance companies and challenging unfair efforts to minimize a claim.
- Documenting current and future medical needs, scarring, disfigurement, and emotional harm.
- Advising you about whether filing a lawsuit is appropriate when an insurer does not make a reasonable offer.
At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C., our team works to build a well-supported claim so clients can focus on treatment and recovery rather than insurance paperwork and legal deadlines.
Why Choose Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C.’s Lawyers for Your Dog Bite Cases
Dog bite injury claims can be complicated, but our experienced Pittsburgh dog bite lawyers are here to support you every step of the way. From investigating the circumstances of the attack to communicating with insurers, our team can handle the legal and insurance-related details so you can focus on your recovery.
Our firm handles qualifying personal injury cases on a contingent-fee basis. You do not owe us anything unless we win, and we win 99.7% of the time. Other lawyers charge 40% of your recovery, but our fee is only 25%!
Legal Advice for Dog Bite Incidents
If you or someone you love has suffered a dog bite injury, don’t wait to take legal action. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, P.C., we are compassionate advocates who protect your rights and pursue compensation for your injuries.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Put your trust in experienced Pittsburgh dog bite lawyers and allow us to advocate for the justice and compensation you need to move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bite Injury Claims
Does the dog’s breed affect a dog bite claim?
Any dog can bite. In a legal claim, the most important issues are usually the dog’s behavior, the owner’s actions, whether the dog was properly muzzled, restrained or secured, the severity of the injury, and the evidence available. Focusing on the specific circumstances of the attack is generally more useful than making assumptions based on breed.
Who is most vulnerable to dog bites?
Children can be particularly vulnerable because they may be closer to a dog’s face and may suffer injuries to the face, head, or neck. Older adults and people with mobility limitations can also face serious harm if an attack causes a fall, fracture, or infection. Every victim should seek medical evaluation after a bite, even if the wound initially appears minor.
How long do you have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, many personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date the claim accrues, although exceptions and special notice requirements can apply. However, exceptions can apply, including when the injured person is a minor or when a government entity may be involved. Deadlines are fact-specific, so it is important to seek legal advice promptly. Evidence, witnesses, video footage, and records can become harder to obtain over time.
What types of compensation are available for dog bites?
Victims of dog attacks may be able to recover various types of compensation, such as:
- Medical costs, including emergency care, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages if the injury prevents you from returning to work.
- Pain and suffering and other emotional damages.
- Compensation for loss of enjoyment of life, especially in cases of permanent disfigurement.
- Potential punitive damages in cases of egregious owner negligence.
What should I do if I was bitten by a dog while working (delivery, postal carrier, etc.)?
If you were bitten while performing job duties, you may have a workers’ compensation claim and, in some situations, a separate claim against the dog owner or another responsible party. Eligibility depends on the facts, including your employment status, the circumstances of the attack, and the parties involved.
Can I pursue a claim if a dog bit me while I was a guest in someone’s home?
A guest who is bitten in a home may pursue a claim against the dog’s owner, keeper, or another responsible party. The available compensation depends on the circumstances, including the owner’s conduct, the dog’s history, the nature of the injury, and available insurance coverage. Pennsylvania law generally requires the owner or keeper to pay medical-treatment costs resulting from a dog bite or attack.
What happens if the dog owner moved away or the dog was unregistered?
A move or missing registration information does not prevent making a claim. Available evidence may include animal-control records, witness information, property records, insurance information, photographs, and other documentation. A lawyer can evaluate whether the owner or keeper can be identified and whether a viable claim may exist.
