Ontario Dog Bite Lawyers

Dog attacks can often be described too casually. The phrase “dog bite” makes people think of a small, temporary, and superficial injury. In serious cases we handle, that is not the case.

A dog attack can leave a person with permanent facial scarring, disfigurement, nerve damage, tendon injury, infection complications, hand dysfunction, psychological trauma, or orthopedic injuries from being knocked to the ground.

Victims of serious injuries are often children who suffer wounds to the face, neck, arms, or legs. Older adults may suffer fractures, head injuries, shoulder injuries, or hip injuries after being knocked down by a large dog. Some people require stitches, surgery, scar revision, counselling, time away from work, or long-term medical follow-up.

Foster Injury Law can represent those injured in serious dog bite and dog attack cases across Ontario. If you are looking for Ontario dog bite lawyers or dog attack lawyers after a serious injury, the claim should be built around the full medical, psychological, functional and cosmetic impact of the attack.

Ontario Dog Bite Claims Are Based on Strict Liability

Dog bite claims in Ontario are not ordinary negligence claims.

Ontario’s Dog Owners’ Liability Act creates a strict liability regime for dog owners. This means that the injured person does not have to prove that the dog had bitten someone before. They usually do not have to prove that the owner knew the dog was dangerous. They usually do not have to prove that the owner was careless in the same way that negligence must be proven in many other personal injury cases.

The focus is usually on:

who owned the dog;

who possessed or controlled the dog at the time;

whether the injury was caused by a bite, attack, knockdown, chase, or other dog-related incident;

what damage the dog caused;

whether the injured person’s conduct is being raised as a defence;

and what insurance coverage may respond.

Dog owners and insurers sometimes say things like:

“The dog has never bitten anyone before.”

“The dog is usually friendly.”

“The owner had no idea this would happen.”

“It happened too quickly to prevent.”

“The dog was startled.”

Those facts do not prevent liability from being established. Under Ontario’s strict liability framework, a first attack can still result in legal responsibility.

Serious Dog Bite and Dog Attack Injuries Can Be Permanent

Some dog bite injuries heal with limited consequences. Others do not. A serious dog attack can cause:

deep lacerations;

facial wounds;

permanent scarring;

disfigurement;

nerve damage;

tendon or ligament injury;

loss of sensation;

hypersensitivity or chronic pain;

infection or wound complications;

hand, wrist, arm, leg, ankle, shoulder, or knee injuries;

broken bones from being knocked down;

concussion or head injury;

psychological trauma;

post-traumatic stress symptoms;

fear of dogs or public spaces;

sleep disruption;

loss of confidence;

and reduced ability to work, care for children, or participate in normal activities.

These cases should are not valued based only on the size of the wound at the emergency room. A scar may mature over many months. A hand injury may continue to affect grip, dexterity, writing, tools, typing, childcare, or household tasks. Psychological trauma may become more obvious after the person tries to return to the place where the attack happened. For children, the long-term effect of visible scarring may not be fully understood right away.

A Dog Bite Case Is About Insurance, Not a Personal Fight With the Owner

Many people hesitate to call dog bite or dog attack lawyers because the dog owner is someone they know. It could be a neighbour, friend, relative, landlord, tenant, co-worker, customer, or person in the community. The injured person may feel awkward about bringing a claim, especially if the owner apologizes or promises to help.

In many serious dog attack cases, however, the claim is handled through insurance - most often home insurance or tenant's insurance. The relevant coverage may be under a homeowner’s policy, tenant insurance policy, condominium policy, business insurance policy, farm policy, or another liability policy.

This is why the first questions we ask during initial meetings are usually aimed at determining what insurance may respond.

A dog bite lawyer may need to determine:

who owned the dog;

who had custody or control of the dog at the time;

where the attack happened;

whether the property was rented or owned;

whether the dog owner had home or tenant insurance;

whether a business or commercial policy may apply;

whether a dog walker, kennel, groomer, boarding facility, landlord, property manager, or business may be involved;

and whether there are coverage disputes or exclusions.

This investigation can be especially important where the dog owner says they do not have insurance, refuses to provide information, or gives an incomplete account of what happened.

Scarring, Disfigurement and Reconstructive Treatment

Scarring is one of the most important issues in many serious dog bite and dog attack claims.

A permanent scar, especially a scar on the face, can affect how a person feels in public, how they dress, how they interact socially, and how comfortable they are being photographed or seen by others. A facial scar, neck scar, hand scar, arm scar, or leg scar may have a significant emotional and practical impact.

In more serious cases, dog attack injuries require:

emergency wound care;

suturing or layered closure;

surgical cleaning or debridement;

plastic surgery consultation;

scar revision surgery;

laser scar treatment;

injections;

ongoing wound management;

infection monitoring;

or future reconstructive treatment.

Some wounds are medically complicated because of tissue loss, infection, delayed healing, poor circulation, deep puncture injury, exposed tissue, or crush-type trauma. In select severe wound cases, a treating physician may consider advanced wound care options, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is not part of every dog bite claim, and it should not be presented as routine. But where a dog attack causes a serious wound-healing problem, infection complication, or compromised tissue, it may become part of the medical and damages analysis.

Details matter. A proper assessment will consider

the location of the scar;

its length, width, colour, texture, and thickness;

whether it is raised, depressed, shiny, dark, pale, or irregular;

whether it is visible at conversational distance;

whether it can be covered by ordinary clothing;

whether it causes tightness, itching, sensitivity, pain, or restricted movement;

whether plastic surgery, scar revision, laser treatment, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, or other future care has been recommended;

and whether the injured person experiences embarrassment, anxiety, distress, or loss of confidence because of the scar.

This is why photographs are important. The injury should be photographed shortly after the attack, during healing, after stitches are removed, and after the scar has matured.

Hand, Nerve and Tendon Injuries After a Dog Bite

Dog bites to the hand, wrist, forearm, ankle, or lower leg can be especially serious. These areas contain nerves, tendons, joints, ligaments, and small structures that can be damaged by a deep bite, tearing injury, or crushing injury.

A person could be left with:

reduced grip strength;

difficulty writing or typing;

loss of fine motor control;

numbness or tingling;

burning nerve pain;

hypersensitivity;

reduced range of motion;

stiffness;

difficulty lifting, carrying, cooking, dressing, or caring for children;

or reduced ability to perform physical, skilled, or repetitive work.

Hand and nerve injuries are sometimes underestimated because the surface wound may heal while deeper symptoms remain. If a person continues to have numbness, weakness, stiffness, hypersensitivity, or reduced function, the case may require specialist evidence and careful documentation.

A hand bite can be particularly important for people who work with tools, keyboards, medical instruments, machinery, food preparation, cleaning equipment, vehicles, small parts, or physical labour. A small-looking scar can still represent a much more serious functional injury if the person has ongoing pain, weakness, reduced dexterity, or nerve symptoms.

We have also had dog bite cases which initially appear modest in severity where a person goes on to develop Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or another similar condition that eventually leads so significant income loss.

Dog Attacks Involving Children Need Special Care

Dog bites involving children are the most common serious dog bite cases in Ontario

Because of their height, children may be bitten on the face, scalp, neck, ears, lips, eyelids, arms, or hands. These injuries can be medically and emotionally significant. A child may require emergency treatment, stitches, plastic surgery consultation, counselling, or long-term follow-up for scarring.

Many of these cases are very sad and result in lifetime facial scarring and deformity.

A child may experience:

fear of dogs;

nightmares;

sleep disruption;

avoidance of parks, sidewalks, elevators, or friends’ homes;

fear of returning to a neighbour’s property;

embarrassment about visible scarring;

teasing or self-consciousness at school;

difficulty with dressing changes or medical appointments;

anxiety around animals;

or distress when seeing dogs in public.

Child cases also require caution because a scar may change as the child grows. A plastic surgeon may not be able to give a complete long-term opinion immediately.

For parents, the immediate priority is medical care and emotional support. From a legal perspective, it is also important to preserve photographs, identify witnesses, report the incident where appropriate, and avoid settling the claim before the long-term consequences are understood.

Dog Knockdowns Can Cause Serious Orthopedic and Head Injuries

Not every serious dog attack involves a bite wound. A large dog can knock a person to the ground, pull them down, chase them into danger, or cause them to fall while trying to escape. Older adults, children, cyclists, pedestrians, and people with pre-existing medical issues can suffer serious injuries in these incidents.

A dog knockdown may cause:

fractured wrists;

shoulder injuries;

rotator cuff tears;

hip injuries;

knee injuries;

ankle injuries;

spinal injuries;

concussion;

facial injuries;

dental injuries;

or loss of independence after a fall.

These cases should not be dismissed because there is no dramatic bite mark. A fracture, concussion, shoulder tear, or hip injury may be far more disabling than a superficial puncture wound. The key issue is whether the dog caused the injury and who may be legally responsible.

Infection and Medical Complications

Dog bites can also lead to infection and wound complications. Deep puncture wounds, crush injuries, delayed treatment, immune issues, diabetes, wounds involving the hands or joints, and wounds with tissue loss may increase the seriousness of the injury.

Medical complications can include:

cellulitis;

abscess formation;

delayed wound healing;

need for antibiotics;

repeat medical visits;

surgical cleaning or debridement;

worsening scar appearance;

joint complications;

prolonged pain and sensitivity;

or the need for specialist wound care.

The medical course after the bite matters. A claim involving infection, delayed healing, surgery, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, scar revision, or repeated treatment is very different from a minor wound that heals quickly.

Psychological Trauma After a Dog Attack

A serious dog attack can be terrifying. The psychological injury may be especially significant where the attack was sudden, violent, involved a child, caused facial scarring, or left the person feeling helpless.

The injured person may develop:

intrusive memories;

nightmares;

panic around dogs;

avoidance of parks, sidewalks, trails, elevators, or neighbourhood areas;

hypervigilance;

sleep disruption;

anxiety in public places;

loss of confidence;

or symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress.

These effects are real and frequently interfere with work, school, parenting, social life, exercise, and normal routines. In some cases, counselling or psychological treatment becomes an important part of the case.

Psychological trauma can also result from scarring. A person with a visible facial scar may relive the attack whenever they look in a mirror, attend school, appear at work, meet new people, or have photographs taken.

The Most Common Disputes in Serious Dog Bite Claims

Common insurance company disputes include:

whether the injured person provoked the dog;

whether the dog was properly restrained;

whether the injured person had permission to be on the property;

whether the dog was owned by one person but controlled by another;

whether a landlord, tenant, business, or property manager had any responsibility;

whether the injury was caused by a bite, scratch, knockdown, chase, or fall;

whether scarring is permanent;

whether plastic surgery or scar revision is reasonable;

whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy or advanced wound treatment is related to the attack;

whether counselling or psychological treatment is related to the attack;

whether ongoing hand, nerve, or pain symptoms are supported by medical evidence;

whether income loss is connected to the injury;

and whether there is available insurance coverage.

The “provocation” argument is common. It can be raised when a person touched the dog, approached the dog, entered the property, reached toward the dog, tried to separate dogs, or interacted with the dog shortly before the bite.

The facts need to be examined carefully. Provocation does not defeat a claim, but it can affect how the insurer defends the case. The details of what happened before the attack, who controlled the dog, where the attack occurred, whether the dog was restrained, and whether there were prior warning signs can all become relevant.

Evidence That Can Strengthen an Ontario Dog Bite or Dog Attack Claim

The best evidence is often gathered early. Useful evidence may include:

photographs of the wound immediately after the attack;

photographs of the healing process;

photographs of permanent scarring;

photographs showing disfigurement or functional limitations;

the dog owner’s name, address, phone number, and insurance information;

the address where the attack occurred;

witness names and contact information;

texts, emails, voicemails, or social media messages about the incident;

medical records from the emergency room, family doctor, walk-in clinic, surgeon, plastic surgeon, wound care clinic, or therapist;

animal control or bylaw records;

public health documentation;

police records, if police were involved;

surveillance, doorbell, dashcam, or cellphone video;

records of prior complaints about the dog;

records of surgical recommendations, scar revision opinions, or advanced wound care referrals;

and proof of income loss, missed work, treatment expenses, and other out-of-pocket costs.

It is also helpful to keep a simple record of how the injury affects day-to-day life. This may include pain, sleep problems, fear around dogs, difficulty using the injured body part, missed activities, embarrassment about scarring, emotional changes in a child, or problems returning to work, school, exercise, or normal routines.

Where Ontario Dog Bite and Dog Attack Claims Happen

Dog bite and dog attack claims can happen almost anywhere such as:

private homes;

front yards and driveways;

sidewalks;

parks and trails;

condominium buildings;

apartment hallways;

elevators;

rental properties;

stores and businesses;

dog parks;

farms and rural properties;

campgrounds;

cottages;

workplaces;

and homes where children are visiting friends or relatives.

The location can affect the legal and insurance analysis.

Compensation in a Serious Ontario Dog Bite or Dog Attack Claim

Compensation depends on the evidence and the seriousness of the injury. The claim is not valued only by looking at the first medical visit. It is valued by looking at the full effect of the attack.

A serious dog bite or dog attack claim can include compensation for:

pain and suffering;

permanent scarring or disfigurement;

psychological trauma;

fear of dogs or avoidance behaviour;

loss of enjoyment of life;

income loss;

reduced ability to work;

treatment expenses;

medication costs;

counselling or therapy;

plastic surgery or scar revision;

laser scar treatment;

advanced wound care;

hyperbaric oxygen treatment, where medically required;

physiotherapy or occupational therapy;

future care needs;

caregiving expenses;

housekeeping and home maintenance losses;

travel expenses;

and other out-of-pocket costs.

The value of the claim may be higher where the injury involves visible scarring, a child, facial wounds, nerve damage, hand dysfunction, surgery, infection, psychological trauma, concussion, fracture, or meaningful interference with work or daily life.

Why Early Settlement Offers Can Be Dangerous

An insurer may look at the emergency room record, the initial wound, or a few early photographs and treat the case as a short-term injury. But that does not always reflect the full, eventual damages.

A serious dog bite injury may later involve:

poor scar maturation;

permanent disfigurement;

plastic surgery consultation;

scar revision recommendations;

laser treatment;

infection complications;

delayed wound healing;

hyperbaric oxygen therapy or other advanced wound care;

persistent nerve symptoms;

hand dysfunction;

psychological trauma;

or time away from work.

Once a release is signed, the injured person may not be able to reopen the claim if the injury becomes more serious than expected. That is why serious dog bite and dog attack claims should be reviewed carefully before settling them, especially if there is scarring, a child injury, hand involvement, infection, surgery, psychological trauma, or ongoing symptoms.

How Long Do You Have to Sue After a Dog Bite in Ontario?

There is generally a two-year limitation period for personal injury lawsuits in Ontario. That means a lawsuit usually must be started within two years of when the claim was discovered.

Waiting can also create problems even before the limitation period expires. Video may be deleted. Witnesses may become difficult to find. The dog owner may move. Insurance information may become harder to obtain. The wound may heal before good photographs are taken. A scar may change without being documented. The dog owner’s account may become more defensive once an insurer is involved.

Early legal advice can help preserve the evidence and prevent a serious claim from being undervalued before the long-term consequences are known.

When a Dog Bite or Dog Attack Claim Should Be Reviewed by a Lawyer

A dog bite or dog attack claim should usually be reviewed carefully where there is:

a child injury;

facial scarring;

visible permanent scarring;

disfigurement;

a hand, wrist, arm, leg, or ankle injury;

nerve symptoms;

infection or delayed healing;

stitches or surgery;

a recommendation for plastic surgery or scar revision;

advanced wound care or hyperbaric oxygen treatment;

psychological trauma;

concussion or head injury;

fracture or orthopedic injury from a knockdown;

fear of dogs or avoidance of public places;

missed work;

a dispute about what happened;

an uninsured or uncooperative dog owner;

or an insurer asking for a statement or offering an early settlement.

Not every minor dog bite requires a lawsuit. But if the injury is permanent, visible, functionally limiting, psychologically traumatic, or medically complicated, the claim should not be treated casually.

Foster Injury Law Represents People With Serious Dog Bite and Dog Attack Injuries Across Ontario

Foster Injury Law's Ontario personal injury lawyers helps injured people with serious dog bite and dog attack claims across Ontario. We investigate how the attack happened, identify the responsible parties, look for insurance coverage, gather medical evidence, document scarring, assess psychological trauma, and deal with insurance companies.