A dog bite can happen without warning and leave lasting damage. Dog bites are traumatizing, leaving the victim injured physically, emotionally and psychologically. It’s unfortunate to see others’ pets act violently. Regardless of new rules and regulations states, counties and cities put in place to avoid animal-related injuries, these attacks continue to happen.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Missouri, understanding your legal rights from the start puts you in the strongest possible position to recover full compensation. This guide explains Missouri’s dog bite law, what your claim may be worth and the steps to take immediately after an attack.
If you have already been bitten, do not wait. Call the personal injury attorneys at Eng & Woods at 573-874-4190 as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Dog Bites Are a Serious and Growing Problem
Dog bite injuries are far more common than most people realize. Approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States every year and more than 800,000 of those injuries require medical attention. In 2023 alone, homeowners’ insurers paid out more than $1.1 billion in liability claims related to dog bites and other dog-related injuries. The average insurance claim settled at $58,545, a figure that has risen more than 82 percent since 2014 due to increasing medical costs and larger jury awards.
Missouri consistently ranks among the top ten states for dog bite incidents, and St. Louis ranked fourth in the nation in 2024 for dog attacks on postal workers. Dog bites that cause serious bodily injury, including deep lacerations, nerve damage, disfigurement or infections requiring surgery, can quickly generate medical expenses well into the tens of thousands of dollars. A personal injury law firm with experience in dog bite cases can help you pursue every dollar you are owed.
What Is the Law on Dog Bites in Missouri?
Primarily, a dog owner’s liability when their dog bites someone is governed under Missouri law by section 273.036 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. This statute provides that the “owner or possessor” of any dog that bites without provocation someone on public property or who is lawfully on private property, that the dog owner is strictly liable for the damages sustained by the victim. Many have heard of the “one bite rule,” but that is no longer the law in Missouri if section 273.036 applies to the facts of the case. There is no longer a requirement that the victim demonstrates that the dog had previously bitten others or shown vicious propensities.
Many cities, counties and townships developed laws to reduce dog bites and other unwanted behavior. Some of those ordinances and regulations may also play a role in whether there is liability on the dog owner. For instance, many cities have ordinances prohibiting owners from letting their dogs run at large. If a dog running at large bites someone, there may well be liability on the dog owner based on a violation of the local ordinance as well as under other laws and ordinances.
To recap, if a dog has bitten you in Missouri, the owner is liable if:
- Their dog bites without provocation. Provocation is one of the most common defenses that dog owners use in dog bite cases. The dog owner may claim that you threatened the dog or the owner or approached the dog in an aggressive manner and that you, therefore, are responsible for your injuries.
- The bite happens on public property or while you are lawfully visiting private property. If there is proof that the victim was trespassing at the time of the bite, that could result in a finding that the dog owner is not liable.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Dog Bite?
Personal injury lawsuits and settlements for dog bites vary depending on the severity of the bite and resulting injuries, the cost of medical treatment already received and treatment still needed, lost wages from time away from work and the degree of lasting physical or psychological harm. Cases involving serious bodily injury, such as deep puncture wounds, scarring or infections requiring hospitalization, typically result in larger settlements or verdicts
Some compensation amounts can be significant to cover major medical interventions like surgery, vaccinations and post-bite recovery, such as physical therapy or plastic surgery. Documenting your injuries thoroughly from day one matters. Photograph your wounds as they heal and keep every medical record and bill. Your personal injury attorney may also engage a medical expert to evaluate any permanent scarring or disfigurement once healing is complete.
What Should I Do if Someone Else’s Dog Has Wrongfully Injured Me?
The steps you take in the hours and days after a dog bite directly affect the strength of your claim. If a dog bites you, here are the steps you want to take.
- Address the wound and seek medical attention. The severity of the bite will make a difference in how soon you will need to find a healthcare provider. For severe bites, you should call emergency services immediately.
- Contact the authorities. Calling the police or animal control is vital to making sure no one else suffers the same injury. The police can then file a report with details from the incident and make sure the dog owner has to remedy their dog’s living situation.
- Gather evidence. Taking pictures of your injury and the location of the incident helps build your case. Write down every detail you can remember from the incident. Include items like:
- What the dog looked like
- The time, date and location of the incident
- The location of the injury on your body
- The names and phone numbers of any witnesses
- The owner’s name and any contact information
- Medical expenses
- Estimation of lost wages if you had to take time off from work to recover
- Contact a personal injury attorney. A personal injury attorney can help you through every step of the dog bite claim process. They will fight for you to make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve.
Insurance adjusters for dog owners often move fast after an incident. Do not give a recorded statement or accept any settlement offer before speaking with a lawyer. Early settlements are almost always below the full value of what your case is worth.
Why Missouri Dog Bite Victims Choose Eng & Woods
Eng & Woods is a personal injury law firm based in Columbia, Missouri that has been representing injury victims throughout Missouri for decades. Our personal injury attorneys understand the full scope of Missouri’s strict liability dog bite law and know how to build claims that account for every dimension of your injury, from immediate medical costs to long-term scarring and psychological harm.
Contact Eng and Woods attorneys at law at 573-874-4190. We’ll fight to make sure that you get the compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a dog bite in Missouri?
Your first priority is medical attention. Seek care right away, even if the wound appears minor, because dog bites carry a serious risk of infection and hidden tissue damage. Once you are safe, photograph your injuries and the location of the attack, identify the dog and owner if possible, and contact local police or animal control to file an official report. Do not discuss fault with the dog owner or give a recorded statement to their insurer before speaking with a personal injury attorney at Eng & Woods.
Do I have a personal injury claim after a dog bite in Missouri?
Missouri law holds dog owners strictly liable when their dog bites someone who is lawfully present on public or private property and did not provoke the animal. You do not need to prove the owner was careless or that the dog had a prior history of aggression. If those conditions apply to your situation, you likely have a valid claim. The attorneys at Eng & Woods offer free consultations to review the facts of your case and advise you on your options.
Who pays for dog bite injuries in Missouri?
In most cases, the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy covers dog bite liability claims. Missouri’s strict liability statute means the owner is responsible for your damages regardless of whether they knew their dog was dangerous. Depending on the circumstances, other parties such as a property manager or landlord may also share responsibility. An experienced personal injury law firm can identify every available source of compensation on your behalf.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Missouri?
Missouri’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is five years from the date of the injury. While that window is longer than many states, waiting creates real risks. Evidence fades, witnesses become harder to locate and injuries heal in ways that are more difficult to document over time. Contact the attorneys at Eng & Woods as soon as possible after the attack to preserve the full strength of your claim.
What evidence should I save after a dog bite?
Save photographs of your injuries taken regularly as they heal, all medical records and bills, the dog owner’s name and contact information, the names and phone numbers of any witnesses and any police or animal control reports filed after the incident. If you missed work during recovery, document your lost wages. Torn or bloodied clothing from the attack may also serve as physical evidence. Bring everything you have to your free consultation with Eng & Woods.
Should I talk to the dog owner’s insurance company?
You should not give a recorded statement or accept any settlement offer before speaking with a personal injury attorney. Insurance adjusters work for the insurer, not for you, and their goal is to resolve your claim for as little as possible. Statements made in the days after an attack can be used to minimize what you are owed. Let the attorneys at Eng & Woods handle all communication with the insurance company on your behalf.