Defenses Dog Owners May Use

Not every dog bite results in a successful injury claim. Dog owners may use several defenses to avoid liability, depending on state laws.

Common Legal Defenses

• You provoked the dog
• You were trespassing
• You assumed the risk (e.g., a dog walker)
• The dog was defending its owner or property

Your lawyer will anticipate these defenses and gather evidence to prove the owner’s fault.