Bitten by a dog? In Ontario, the owner is responsible.
You don't have to prove the dog had bitten before. We make the claim against the owner and their insurer, and handle it for you, even when the dog belongs to a friend or relative.
Thank you, we have it.
We'll call you during office hours, 9 am to 5 pm, 7 days a week. In the meantime, keep photos of the injury and the names of anyone who saw it.
Book a free video meeting now Call (289) 309-3069The law
Ontario holds dog owners strictly liable.
Under the Dog Owners' Liability Act, you don't have to show the owner was careless or knew the dog was dangerous. You have to show the dog bit or attacked you, and what it cost you.
Ask about your claim- No free first biteThe owner is liable even if the dog had never bitten or growled at anyone before.
- Bites and attacksBeing knocked down, jumped on or chased into a fall counts, not only a bite.
- "Owner" is wideIt includes anyone who keeps or harbours the dog, and the parent of an owner who is a minor. Two or more owners are each liable for the full amount.
- Your own conductIf you share the blame, such as by provoking the dog, your compensation is reduced by your share.
- On the owner's propertyThis Act applies there too, not the general rules for property owners.
- Pets are coveredThe owner is also liable when their dog attacks your dog, cat or other domestic animal.
What you can claim
A bite can cost more than it first seems.
Bites to the face and hands, infections, nerve damage and fear of dogs can last long after the wound closes. Every claim is different and we won't predict a number. These are the losses a claim can cover.
Read the full guide: Dog bite claims in Ontario: owner liability and your rights.
- Pain and sufferingFor the injury and how it affects your daily life.
- ScarringIncluding the cost of scar treatment or surgery.
- Emotional harmAnxiety, nightmares and fear of dogs, and the counselling to treat them.
- Lost incomeTime off work for you, and future earnings if the injury lasts.
- Treatment and vet billsCosts not covered by OHIP or your benefits, and vet bills if your pet was attacked.
- Your family's lossesClose family members can claim for care they provide and for the loss of your guidance, care and companionship.
Children
When the person bitten is a child.
Children are often bitten on the face, and the scars and fear can grow with them. Ontario has extra rules to protect a child's claim and the money that comes from it.
Ask about your child's claim- An adult acts for the childA parent or other adult brings the claim as the child's litigation guardian, with a lawyer.
- The clock is pausedThe 2-year limit doesn't run while the child is a minor and no litigation guardian is acting. Starting early still helps: evidence fades.
- Wait for the scars to settleWe get medical opinions on how the scars and any fear are likely to change as the child grows, before valuing the claim.
- A judge approves any settlementA settlement for a child isn't binding until a judge approves it, even if no lawsuit was started.
Who pays
Usually an insurer, not the family.
Many people hesitate because they know the owner. In most cases the claim is paid by the owner's home or tenant insurance, not out of their own pocket.
- Find the policyWe identify the owner's home or tenant insurer. Some policies limit cover for certain dogs, so the wording matters.
- Deal with the insurerWe send your records to the insurer and negotiate with its adjuster, so you don't have to.
- Look wider if neededIf there's no policy, we look at who else harboured the dog or shares the blame, such as a dog walker or a landlord.
“His guidance was clear, honest, and very reassuring during a stressful time.”
Videos
Watch it explained.
Do I have to prove the dog was dangerous?
No. Under Ontario's Dog Owners' Liability Act, the owner is liable for a bite or attack whether or not they knew the dog might bite, and whether or not they were careless. There is no free first bite.
The dog belongs to a friend or relative. Can I still claim?
Yes. Many dog bites happen at the home of someone the person knows. The claim is usually paid by the owner's home or tenant insurance rather than by the owner personally. We deal with the insurer, which can make it easier to keep the relationship.
What if the dog only knocked me down?
The Act covers attacks as well as bites. If a dog jumped on you, knocked you over or chased you into a fall, you may have a claim even though it never bit you.
What if I was partly to blame?
The court reduces the compensation in proportion to your share of the fault, for example if you provoked the dog. It doesn't usually end the claim. A different rule applies to someone on the property to commit a crime.
How long do I have to make a claim?
Generally 2 years from the day of the bite to start a lawsuit. For a child, that time doesn't run while they are a minor and no litigation guardian is acting for them. Don't wait: photos of the injury, witness memories and records are easier to gather early.
Is the first meeting free?
Video meetings are free. In-person meetings at First Canadian Place are $100. Legal fees are either a small amount upfront and the rest only if you're compensated, or nothing unless you're compensated.
Related
Other injury and contract matters we handle.
Free video meeting
Bitten by a dog? Talk to a lawyer about your options.
By video (free) or in person at First Canadian Place ($100), 7 days a week.
100 King Street West, Suite 5700
First Canadian Place, Toronto, ON M5X 1C7
Open 7 days, 9 am to 5 pm. Closed on public holidays.