Dog Bites

Dog Bite Lawyers in Dayton, Ohio

Over 50 Years of Montgomery County Legal Experience, Now Fighting for Dog Bite Victims

Being attacked by a dog is a traumatic experience. When the victim is a child, the physical and emotional harm can be severe and lasting. Ohio law provides clear protections for people in this situation: under the state’s dog bite statute, injured victims have a path to compensation, and the owner doesn’t need to have known the dog was dangerous for liability to apply.

At Law Offices of Gump & Deal, we know how to advocate effectively for dog bite victims. We’re committed to holding negligent dog owners accountable and pursuing fair compensation for our clients throughout Montgomery County.

To schedule a consultation, call (937) 888-3246 or contact us online.

Ohio’s Dog Bite Laws Explained

Under Ohio Revised Code 955.28(B), the owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog is strictly liable for any injury the dog causes. No proof of prior aggression or owner negligence is required. Strict liability claims under ORC 955.28 carry a six-year statute of limitations; negligence-based claims carry a two-year deadline. Because which deadline applies depends on how a claim is framed, contacting an attorney promptly protects both pathways.

Liability can extend beyond the legal owner to anyone who kept or harbored the dog at the time of the attack, including dog walkers, pet sitters, and kennels. Ohio Revised Code 955.22 defines dogs as nuisance, dangerous, or vicious and imposes additional containment and insurance requirements on their owners. Ohio also preserves a common law negligence pathway alongside the strict liability statute, and a plaintiff may pursue both in the same case.

Negligence is a valuable parallel theory, and the most common forms in dog bite cases involve:

Failure to properly control the dog. Dog owners have a duty to control their pets at all times. They must keep them on leashes, in fences, and/or inside homes when they can’t directly supervise them. If an owner fails to do this and the dog bites someone, the owner is negligent.
Failure to properly train the dog. Dog owners are required to properly train their pets, including teaching them not to bite. If the owner doesn’t train the dog and the dog bites someone, the owner may be liable for the victim’s injuries.
Failure to properly secure a dangerous dog. Ohio allows local governments to regulate dangerous dog ownership. If the owner of a dangerous dog isn’t properly licensed or fails to secure the dog in a proper enclosure, the owner may be liable for any resulting injuries.

Reach Out to Our Dog Bite Attorneys for Help

If you or your child has been the victim of a dog attack, you may be entitled to pursue fair compensation for your injuries. Our Montgomery County dog bite lawyers are ready to help you pursue your claim.

We provide personalized legal services to dog bite victims throughout Montgomery County and across Ohio, keeping you informed and involved at every stage of the process.

To learn more about your legal options, please call (937) 888-3246 or fill out an online contact form. An experienced dog bite lawyer may be available to help you.

Why Montgomery County Dog Bite Victims Choose Law Offices of Gump & Deal

Choosing the right attorney after a dog attack can shape how your case unfolds. Law Offices of Gump & Deal has served Montgomery County for over 50 years, building the courtroom presence and community familiarity that only comes with decades of local practice. That experience stands behind every dog bite case we handle.

We negotiate assertively with insurance companies and, when necessary, take cases to trial in Montgomery County courts. We keep communication open throughout: responding to questions promptly, updating clients on developments in their cases, and laying out all available options so clients can make confident decisions. Our commitment to professionalism and integrity has earned us high ratings and lasting client trust.

How Dog Bite Insurance Claims Work in Montgomery County

Most dog bite claims in Ohio are filed against the dog owner’s homeowner or renter insurance policy. Standard homeowner policies typically carry personal liability coverage between $100,000 and $300,000 that applies to dog bite incidents, making that coverage a common source of compensation for many victims.

Insurers routinely challenge these claims by disputing provocation, contesting injury severity, or pushing low early settlements before the full extent of damages is known. Having a dog bite attorney on your side before you sign anything can help protect the value of your claim. If the dog owner has no applicable insurance or the insurer denies coverage, a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary to pursue compensation. Our willingness to litigate in Montgomery County courts can give insurers a reason to negotiate fairly.

Local Reporting Requirements

After a bite in Montgomery County, victims should report the incident to the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center and to Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County within 24 hours, as required by local ordinance. These reports create official records that support a legal claim. Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County also administers a rabies quarantine program: the biting animal is held for a minimum of 10 days and can’t be released until proof of current rabies vaccination is provided. Prompt reporting protects both your health and your case.

Injuries & Damages in Montgomery County Dog Bite Cases

Dog attacks cause a wide range of physical and psychological harm. Understanding what you may be entitled to pursue helps you make informed decisions about your claim.

Physical Injuries

Dog bite injuries include puncture wounds, lacerations, soft tissue damage to ligaments and tendons, broken bones, eye injuries, and permanent scarring or disfigurement. Children bitten on the face or head face an elevated risk of permanent scarring that may require reconstructive surgery. Infections are also a serious concern: common complications include pasteurella, MRSA, tetanus, and rabies exposure, all of which require prompt medical evaluation. Seeking care within 72 hours of a bite both protects your health and documents the injuries for your claim.

Psychological Harm

The trauma of a dog attack doesn’t end when physical wounds heal. Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and lasting fear of dogs are recognized categories of non-economic damages in Ohio dog bite cases. For child victims, these effects can be especially long-lasting and are taken seriously in the claims we pursue.

Recoverable Damages

Ohio law allows dog bite victims to seek compensation across a full range of economic and non-economic losses:

Past and future medical expenses, including surgery and rehabilitation
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Scarring and disfigurement
Mental anguish and psychological trauma
Physical limitation and loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium

For child victims, a parent or legal guardian may file the claim on their behalf. Under Ohio law, the statute of limitations for a minor’s strict liability claim doesn’t begin until the child turns 18. Acting promptly still matters, though: early action preserves evidence and can strengthen the case regardless of when the filing deadline falls.

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Contact a Dog Bite Attorney in Montgomery County Today

If you or a family member has been injured in a dog attack, don’t wait to get legal guidance. Law Offices of Gump & Deal represents dog bite victims throughout Montgomery County and the surrounding Ohio counties of Green, Preble, Clark, Miami, and Warren. We can keep you informed, explain your options clearly, and advocate for the compensation you may be entitled to pursue.

Call (937) 888-3246 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation with a dog bite lawyer in Montgomery County residents have trusted for over 50 years.

5-Star Client Reviews

In Their Own Words

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