Pet owners are liable for mental trauma and physical injury caused by dog bites.

In cases where someone was injured by a dog or another pet, the owner of the dog and the property owner (if different) may be held liable for the victim’s physical injuries and psychological trauma.

Accurate records of dog bites and animal attacks are not available in Canada, nor are dog attacks being tracked in Ontario. For this reason, it is difficult to ascertain how serious a problem ‘dog bites’ are in this province. Also problematic in tracking this issue is that some people do not report when they were bitten by a dog, for various reasons: if their injuries seem minor; they are reluctant to issue a formal complaint about a neighbour’s dog; or if the owner of the dog is unknown.

Toronto Animal Services estimates that about 30 per cent of dogs in the GTA are licenced, however, there is no way of verifying this number so we really don’t know how many dogs live in Toronto or similarly, in any community in Ontario. Further, since a large percentage of dogs are unlicensed, correspondingly, many animals likely have not received recommended immunizations such as rabies shots.

The Canadian Veterinary Journal report on fatal dog attacks in Canada from 1990-2007 concluded that one or two Canadians are killed by dog bites annually, based on reports by Canadian press. In Canada, these deaths more often result from attacks in rural areas by sled dogs or multiple owned-dogs (in packs). Huskies, Rottweilers and mixed breed dogs were responsible for the most fatalities. Experts suggest that in a pack situation, when even one animal initiates an aggressive act, whether a nip or serious bite, even benign dogs may join in on an attack until the person is killed or the dogs are successfully driven away.

In this Canadian study of dog attack fatalities between 1990 and 2007, a disturbing find is that 85 per cent of the victims were under 12 years old. Experts suggest that the reason that children are more commonly the victims of fatal dog attacks is that they are often curious about dogs but may lack the ability to read the signals when dogs are alarmed or aggressive and also less able to defend themselves if attacked.

In the United States, pit bulls and Rottweilers have been responsible for the most deaths from dog attacks. In consideration of the fact that pit bulls accounted for many dog attacks in Canada as well as a public perception that these dogs are more dangerous than most, Ontario adopted a ban on pit bulls in 2005. Dogs younger than nine years old are not allowed in Ontario and the penalty is immediate confiscation. This ban on pit bulls includes the following breeds:

• Pit bull terrier
• Staffordshire bull terrier
• American Staffordshire terrier
• American pit bull terrier
• Dogs with the characteristics and appearance of pit bull breeds.

A 2010 survey concluded however, despite the banning of pit bulls for five years, there was no significant decrease in the number of dog bites in Ontario, according to a National Canine Research Council report.

In the United States, there are breed specific bans for a large variety of dogs in many communities. However, most dog experts indicate that dog breed or mix is not a particularly relevant factor in why dogs bite. For this reason, a large number of reputable organizations worldwide (including the American Humane Society, the Australian Veterinary Association and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) do not endorse breed specific legislation. An American Veterinary Association survey over 40 years concluded that no one breed of dogs is disproportionately more dangerous than others.

The National Canine Research Council recommends implementing improved ownership practices to reduce dog bites and dog attacks in communities.

• Educating the public about dog behaviour and responsible ownership
• Specific education aimed at children regarding safety around dogs
• Consistent enforcement of dangerous or reckless owner ordinances
• Laws to hold dog owners responsible for control over and humane care of their dogs

On a more personal level, the following actions can help prevent animal bites for children and families:

• Choose a pet that’s compatible with your children’s ages and family situation. Aggressive dogs are less appropriate for families with young children.
• Socialize and train your dog.
• Don’t approach an unfamiliar dog without the owner present.
• Always ask an owner if it’s okay to pet their dog.
• Avoid sudden movements; let the dog come to you.
• In a confrontation, do not make eye contact, run or scream.
• Do not leave infants or young children unsupervised with a dog.
• Don’t closely approach unfamiliar dogs while they are eating, sleeping or caring for their young.

If you are attacked or bitten by an animal in Ontario, the Occupiers’ Liability Act, 1990, governs the property owner’s liability in causing your injuries. This regulation requires occupiers or owners of a property to keep anyone coming onto their property reasonably safe.

Liability for dog attacks on the owner’s or any property are specifically governed under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act, 1990 which states, “The owner of a dog is liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack by the dog on another person or domestic animal.” An owner of a dog may be liable for an attack even if the dog did not previously show a propensity to attack people. Dog owners may also be held liable if their dog attacks another domestic animal. Essentially, owners are liable if they did not use reasonable precautions to prevent their dog from hurting someone else. Pet owners who break laws, such as municipal bylaws requiring dogs to be leashed on public property, are particularly vulnerable to liability suits if their dog injures another person.

Although not consistently tracked, dog bites of various severity are a fairly common occurrence; most Canadians know someone who was attacked or bitten by a dog. The resulting injuries are sometimes minor, but in many cases they result in serious wounds and scarring. Often, dog attacks have a lingering psychological effect on accident victims, with symptoms such as anxiety, difficulty sleeping and a permanent fear of dogs.

If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog or another animal, the following steps should be taken.

• Immediately wash off the wound.
• Inform the dog owner of the incident and ask about the dog’s rabies immunization status.
• If in any doubt whether the dog is immunized against rabies, visit a doctor immediately.
• Seek medical treatment for any dog bites that result in a puncture or tear and also get recommended treatment against infections and rabies.
• Report the attack to police.
• If the dog attack results in serious injury or psychological trauma, consult with a personal injury lawyer.

The seriousness of your injuries has the most impact on the amount of compensation to which you are generally entitled in a claim for damages. Injured persons may be eligible for any lost income they experience as a result of being injured, medical and rehabilitation costs, home maintenance and housekeeping expenses, an award for pain and suffering, and other expenses that arise from the accident or animal attack.

The Injury Lawyers of Ontario (ILO) law group specializes in negligence cases pertaining to animal attacks, car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and other incidents of negligence. In most cases, your first consultation is free and will provide you with an opportunity to fully understand your rights, the potential strength of your claim, and your best options for seeking compensation for damages. Call an experienced ILO lawyer in your community today.