Dog Bites

5 Things Every Dog Owner (and Dog Bite Victim) Should Know About Indiana’s Dog Bite Law

1. If you own a dog of a breed with known, vicious propensities (for example, a pit bull or Doberman Pincher) and the dog—without being provoked—bites and injures someone, you’re likely liable for that injury and could be sued. This is true even if the dog has never bitten, or been aggressive, before.
2. Even if your dog is *not* of such a breed—for example, a Golden Retriever—if it has a *history* of aggressive behavior and—without being provoked—bites and injures someone, you’re likely liable for that injury and could be sued.
3. Regardless of breed, bite history or aggressive behavior, if your dog—without being provoked—bites and injures someone while unleashed and off your property, especially if you failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the dog’s escape, you’re likely liable for that injury and could be sued.
4. Regardless of breed, bite history or aggressive behavior, if your dog—without being provoked—bites and injuries a mailman or other public servant in the course and scope of his duties, you’re likely liable for that injury and could be sued.
5. Regardless of breed, bite history or aggressive behavior, if your dog—without being provoked—bites and injures someone because you failed to use reasonable care, you’re likely liable for that injury. For example, if you leave your dog—any dog—with a young child unsupervised and the dog bites the child, you’re likely liable for that injury and could be sued.

If you have questions about Indiana’s dog bite law or have been injured as a result of a dog bite, we may be able to help. Please call Harper & Harper for a free, initial consultation.