Ontario Dog Bite Lawyers: Attack & Bite Injury Claims

What to do after a bite or attack

1) Get medical care immediately. Clean the wound, see a clinic/ER, and follow guidance for tetanus and (if needed) rabies prophylaxis. Keep photos, discharge notes, and prescriptions. In Halton, all bites that break the skin must be reported to Public Health—other regions have similar rules. Reporting triggers rabies risk assessment and documents the dog bite incident.

2) Report to Public Health even if you know the owner. Ontario's reporting regime also puts duties on professionals (physicians, NPs, veterinarians, police) to notify the Medical Officer of Health after an animal bite. This helps with quarantine/verification and protects the community.

3) Gather details calmly. Get the dog owner's name, address, and insurer (home/tenant). Note where it happened, whether there was control of the dog or control over the dog (leash, fence, muzzle), and collect witness contacts. Preserve torn clothing or broken glasses.

4) Avoid arguments and social media. (This is where things get tricky.) A factual, low-key approach today prevents headaches tomorrow.

If you were injured by a dog, we can help. Whether your ontario dog bite occurred in a park or a rental property, documentation matters after a dog bite attack.

Ontario dog owners' liability: the law, minus the legalese

Ontario uses "strict liability" for a dog bite and dog attack. In practice, that means that if a dog bites or attacks and causes damage, the owner of a dog is generally responsible—regardless of prior behaviour. Courts can still reduce damages if someone provoked the dog or otherwise contributed, but the starting point is clear responsibility.

Who counts as an "owner"? Under Ontario's statute, "owner" includes anyone who possesses or harbours the dog. That's why two people caring for the same animal can be jointly responsible. (We see this in roommate and partner situations often.)

Timelines matter. Ontario's general limitation period for personal injuries is two years from when you knew or ought to have known you had a claim. There are exceptions, but don't wait—early advice preserves options.

Practitioner reality check: Many Ontario families assume there's no case if the dog has "no history." That's not how dog bite liability works here. Prior incidents help, but they're not required.

We handle bite and dog attack cases across the province, and every dog attack case turns on evidence and credibility.

What your dog bite compensation claim can include

Damages we typically pursue:

• Medical/rehab costs (stitches, antibiotics, plastic surgery consults, counselling)
• Income loss and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering (including scarring and anxiety)
• Out-of-pocket expenses (dressings, travel, replaced items)
• Future care (therapy or scar revision later)

Serious injuries aren't always obvious on day one. Puncture wounds can seed infection; anxiety may surface weeks later. Careful follow-up builds a stronger file. (We'll help organize photos and timelines.) If you've suffered a serious dog bite, we coordinate with specialists to value injuries in a dog attack correctly.

Our process at UL Lawyers

We're Burlington-based accident lawyers serving all of Ontario—including Hamilton dog bite and Toronto dog matters.

Common issues in a dog bite case

Was the animal provoked? Evidence that someone startled or hurt the dog can reduce damages—but rarely erases the claim entirely. Context matters.

Who had control? "Owner" can include the person with control over the dog at the time—roommate, partner, or dog-sitter. We look for leases, vet bills, texts, and witness notes to establish responsibility.

Municipal processes. You may hear "vicious dog" language in by-law proceedings. Those orders don't decide civil damages, but they can influence insurer negotiations.

Kids & scarring. Growth can stretch facial scars. Timing medical reports well helps value future care.

Prevention duties. Reasonable steps to prevent the dog from escaping or lunging—proper fencing, leashing, muzzling when ordered—often feature in how insurers assess liability.

Every bite and attack presents differently.

Hamilton & Toronto focus (including by-law realities)

We regularly coordinate with Halton, Hamilton, and Toronto Public Health units. In Toronto dog bite files, we liaise with city investigators and insurers to keep records flowing. In Hamilton, we're familiar with the local steps that follow when someone is bitten by a dog. (Different cities, same goal: good records, prompt care, forward progress.)

• Looking for a Toronto dog bite lawyer? We manage city-wide files by phone/video and in person.
• Need Hamilton dog bite lawyers who understand local procedures? We've got you covered.

Quick reference: After a dog bite in Ontario

Do this now

• Wash the wound; get medical attention
• Report to your regional Public Health; keep the file number
• Photograph injuries at day 1, week 1, and monthly
• Collect the dog owner and witness details
• Save receipts and damaged items

Avoid these mistakes

• Arguing with the owner of a dog at the scene
• Posting photos before you've gathered evidence
• Skipping follow-ups—gaps hurt credibility

"We can't promise outcomes, but here's what typically happens—strong documentation early leads to stronger negotiations later."

What strengthens a dog bite settlement package?

• Clear medical records linking symptoms to the dog bite injury
• Photo timeline of healing/scarring
• Proof of income loss and employer confirmation
• Expert reports where appropriate
• Evidence about leash/fence/muzzle—i.e., control of the dog and compliance
• Early witness statements

Case insight (anonymized): A GTA client was attacked by a dog in a townhouse walkway. Early photos and a surgeon's opinion funded future scar revision and therapy—no trial required.

Legal terms you might see in documents

• Dog Owners' Liability Act (the dog owners' liability act in Ontario): The statute governing injuries resulting from a dog bite or dog bite or attack. It focuses on damage caused by a dog, not prior behaviour; in short, responsible for a dog bite usually means the dog owner. It's commonly (and incorrectly) called the dog owner's liability act; the correct name is the Dog Owners' Liability Act—the central liability act in Ontario for these claims.
• Owner / dog owner liability: An "owner" can be anyone who possesses or harbours the dog or exercises control of the dog. That's why multiple people can be on the hook.
• Dog attack injuries: Lacerations, punctures, infection risk, and trauma—injuries in a dog attack are not just skin-deep.
• Propensity to bite: Whether an animal has shown warning signs; useful context but not required under Ontario dog bite law.
• Aggressive dog / breed debates: We focus on evidence and liability, not stereotypes about dog breeds.
• Dog bite settlements: Agreements that resolve your claim without a trial; most files settle once injuries stabilize.

(We're specialized dog bite lawyers acting for victims of dog attacks across Ontario.)

Fees, timelines, and next steps

• Free consultation. Talk to a personal injury lawyer about options.
• No upfront fees. We work on contingency—no legal fees unless we recover money for you.
• Realistic timelines. Many files resolve within 12–24 months, depending on recovery and insurer response. Complex scarring sometimes takes longer because doctors prefer to see how a serious dog wound matures before final opinions.

Ready to talk? Contact our injury lawyers today. If you're a dog bite victim anywhere in Ontario—from Burlington to the GTA—we provide steady legal representation and practical guidance. Our dog attack lawyers pursue fair results; we can't guarantee outcomes, but we'll fight for the best result the facts allow. Speak with our lawyers today.