Call Earley Before It’s Too Late!If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Boston, knowing your rights and how local laws can affect your case is critical. Boston has specific animal control rules that every dog owner must follow. These include leash laws, reporting requirements, and regulations for dangerous dogs. Dog owner liability in Boston also provides a legal avenue for victims to recover money for their losses.
Earley Law Group helps dog bite victims pursue the compensation they deserve. With over 20 years of experience handling injury claims in Massachusetts, we know how to fight for people hurt by someone else’s negligence – including dog owners who don’t control their pets.
Our firm does more than just help you with your case. We provide what we call The Earley Experience: personal attention, open communication, and fierce legal advocacy from start to finish. If you need help, don’t wait. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Massachusetts dog bite lawyer.
Boston’s Animal Control Laws
Boston’s animal control laws protect the public from harm, especially from aggressive dogs. These laws help ensure responsible pet ownership and promote public safety.
Under Boston’s city ordinances, pet owners must follow rules around licensing, vaccinations, and containment. That means keeping dogs under control at all times, whether at home or in public spaces. The City of Boston also monitors and enforces these regulations through Boston Animal Care and Control, which has the power to investigate reports, issue citations, and classify dogs that pose a risk.
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in the city, Boston dog bite laws help determine who is at fault and how much compensation you may be able to recover.
Leash Laws
Boston’s leash laws are clear: dogs must be on a leash in public places. These laws are meant to prevent accidents, injuries, and unexpected attacks.
Dangerous Dog Classification
Some dogs are classified as “dangerous” under Massachusetts law. This label can apply to dogs that have shown a pattern of aggressive behavior, such as repeated biting, lunging, or unprovoked attacks.
Boston Animal Care and Control may investigate and classify a dog as dangerous. The owner must then follow strict rules, including using muzzles, securing the dog, carrying a $100,000 insurance policy, and limiting the dog’s contact with others.
Strict Liability for Dog Bites
Massachusetts has a strict liability rule for dog bites. This law means that a dog’s owner is legally responsible for any injuries their pet causes, even if the dog never showed signs of aggression before. This law also applies to the dog’s keeper, which would be anyone responsible for the animal at the time, such as a dog walker or sitter.
You don’t need to prove the owner or keeper was negligent or knew the dog was dangerous. As long as you were in a public place (or legally on private property), weren’t committing some other crime, and didn’t provoke the dog, you have a right to seek compensation.
This legal protection can make it easier for dog bite victims to recover compensation for medical bills and other losses.
Reporting Requirements
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Boston, get medical help immediately. Your medical provider will file a local animal control report, as required by Massachusetts dog bite laws. However, you can and should do the same. Once you report to Boston Animal Care and Control, they will investigate the bite, identify the dog and owner, and keep a record of the incident.
Our firm encourages all clients to keep as much documentation as possible, including medical records, photos of injuries, witness contact info, and any communication with the dog’s owner. Early reporting helps us build a solid case for pursuing maximum compensation.
How These Laws Impact Dog Bite Claims in Boston
Massachusetts’ strict liability dog bite law holds pet owners liable for bites, even if the dog has never acted aggressively before. Boston’s dangerous dog regulations and leash requirements can help strengthen your claim by showing the owner failed to follow safety rules. For example, if the dog was off-leash in a public place or had a history of aggressive behavior, that can work against the owner and support the victim’s right to compensation.
To bring a successful claim, victims need to show they were injured, had a right to be on the property where the bite happened, and didn’t provoke the dog. While most claims fall clearly under strict dog bite liability, there are exceptions. These situations can make a case more complicated. But with the right evidence, pursuing compensation based on the dog owner’s negligence may still be possible.
Impact on Compensation for Victims
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Boston, you may be able to hold the owner accountable. Compensation for dog bite victims can cover a wide range of losses, including:
- Medical expenses
- Future costs for surgeries or therapy
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Lost quality of life
The impact of a dog attack can be both physically and emotionally difficult. However, you can pursue compensation to support your recovery.
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, but strong legal representation can make a major difference. Earley Law can push back against lowball offers by gathering medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony to demonstrate the full extent of your injuries.
Talk to Our Boston Dog Bite Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog in Boston, contact our Boston dog bite lawyers today for a free case review. With over 20 years of experience and more than 700 five-star client reviews, Christopher Earley and his team know what it takes to win dog bite cases and fight for the compensation victims deserve. Our track record of success includes several claims for dog bites and attacks, including $250,000 for a dog bite victim. One client shared:
“I hired Chris for a dog bite incident. He was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and responsive. No need to call anyone else, he’s the best there is.” – Matt O.
When you work with us, you’ll get The Earley Experience. That means white-glove service from start to finish, 24-hour response time, and no-pressure, honest communication every step of the way. You’ll never pay legal fees unless we win your case, and we’re relentless in fighting for the best possible outcome.
Or