New York Dog Bite Lawyer

Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP represents dog bite victims throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. On April 17, 2025, the New York Court of Appeals held in Flanders v. Goodfellow that victims can now sue for negligence—expanding legal options beyond the traditional “one-bite rule.” We’ve recovered over $750 million for injured clients and handle cases on contingency.

What To Do Right After a Dog Attack in New York City

If you or a family member has been bitten by a dog in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island, take these immediate steps to protect your health and legal rights:

• Seek medical attention immediately — Even minor-looking bites can cause serious infections, nerve damage, or require reconstructive surgery. Go to an NYC emergency room or urgent care clinic.
• Report the bite to NYC Health Department — File a report online or call 311 within 24 hours (required under NYC Health Code § 11.03). The dog must be quarantined for rabies observation.
• Document everything — Take photos of your injuries, torn clothing, and the location. Get the dog owner’s name, address, phone number, and insurance information.
• Identify witnesses — Collect contact information from anyone who saw the attack. Witness statements can prove the dog’s aggressive behavior.
• Preserve evidence of the dog’s vicious propensities — If neighbors or delivery workers have seen the dog act aggressively before (growling, lunging, baring teeth), get their statements in writing.
• Do not sign anything from the dog owner or their insurance company — Insurance adjusters often pressure victims into signing releases before they understand the full extent of their injuries.
• Contact a New York dog bite attorney — Legal deadlines apply. Call (212) 732-2929 for a free consultation before evidence disappears.

Understanding New York Dog Bite Law

New York’s 2025 Dog Bite Law Change

On April 17, 2025, the New York Court of Appeals decided Flanders v. Goodfellow, fundamentally changing dog bite law in New York. For decades, the Bard v. Jahnke precedent barred negligence claims against dog owners—victims could only sue under strict liability by proving the owner knew the dog was dangerous.

Flanders eliminated this restriction. Dog bite victims now have two legal pathways to recovery:

This expansion gives victims significantly more legal options, particularly in cases involving leash law violations, unsecured dogs in apartment buildings, or failure to properly restrain animals around vulnerable individuals.

Three Legal Pathways for Recovery

Since the April 17, 2025 Flanders decision, New York dog bite victims can pursue compensation under three different legal theories. We analyze your case to determine which path offers the highest potential recovery:

NYC Reporting Requirements

New York City law requires all dog bites to be reported within 24 hours under NYC Health Code § 11.03. Report by:

• Calling 311
• Filing online at the NYC Health Department portal

The NYC Department of Health uses these reports to assess rabies exposure risk and determine quarantine requirements. All dogs involved in bite incidents must undergo a 10-day rabies observation period. Failure to report can complicate your legal case and put public health at risk.

Who Is Liable for Dog Attacks in New York?

Multiple parties can be held responsible for dog bite injuries in New York City:

Dog Owners

The dog’s owner is the primary party liable under New York law. Owners are responsible when:

• They knew or should have known the dog had vicious propensities (history of aggression, prior bites, growling, snapping)
• They negligently failed to control or supervise the dog (new negligence standard since April 17, 2025)
• The dog was previously adjudicated “dangerous” under Agriculture & Markets Law § 123

Evidence of vicious propensities includes prior incidents where the dog showed aggression toward people or other animals, complaints from neighbors or delivery workers, and the dog’s behavioral patterns combined with the owner’s failure to properly train or restrain the animal.

Landlords and Property Owners

Building owners and landlords can be held liable for dog attacks that occur on their property if they:

• Knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous but failed to take action to protect others
• Received prior complaints about the dog’s aggressive behavior
• Had actual knowledge the dog previously attacked someone
• Failed to enforce lease provisions prohibiting dangerous dogs

In New York City apartment buildings, landlords who ignore repeated complaints about a dangerous dog can face significant liability when that dog ultimately injures someone.

Dog Walkers and Pet Sitters

Professional dog walkers, pet sitters, and daycare facilities can be liable if they negligently allow a dog to escape or fail to control an aggressive animal while the dog is in their care.

Veterinary Clinics

Following Hewitt v. Palmer Veterinary Clinic (2020), veterinary clinics in New York owe a duty of care to customers and can be held liable for dog attacks that occur on their premises, even without prior knowledge of the specific dog’s dangerous propensities, because of their specialized expertise in animal behavior.

Dog Attack Risk Factors

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), breed alone is not a reliable predictor of aggression. Multiple factors contribute to dog bite risk:

Dog-Related Risk Factors

• Size and bite force — Larger dogs cause more severe injuries regardless of breed
• Lack of socialization — Dogs not exposed to different people, animals, and situations during critical development periods
• Prior aggressive behavior — History of growling, lunging, snapping, or territorial guarding
• Inadequate training — Lack of obedience training or reinforcement of aggressive behavior
• Medical issues — Pain, illness, or cognitive decline can trigger defensive aggression
• Reproductive status — Unneutered male dogs show higher aggression rates

Owner-Related Risk Factors

• Failure to restrain — Not using leashes in violation of NYC leash laws
• Inadequate supervision — Leaving dogs unsecured in yards or common areas
• Encouragement of aggression — Using dogs for protection without proper training
• Ignoring warning signs — Dismissing complaints from neighbors or delivery workers
• Poor living conditions — Chaining, isolation, or confinement that increases stress

Situational Risk Factors

• Victim age — Children under 10 and adults over 65 suffer more severe injuries and are less able to defend themselves
• Unfamiliar settings — Dogs in new environments may act unpredictably
• Resource guarding — Dogs protecting food, toys, or territory
• Startling or cornering — Approaching sleeping dogs or blocking escape routes
• Maternal protection — Female dogs with puppies may be more defensive

Under New York’s Flanders decision, owners can be held liable for negligently failing to control dogs exhibiting these risk factors, even without a prior bite history. The law now recognizes that responsible dog ownership requires anticipating and managing foreseeable risks.

What To Do If Approached by an Aggressive Dog

De-Escalation Steps

If you encounter an aggressive dog in New York City, these techniques can help prevent an attack:

• Do not run — Running triggers chase instinct in most dogs
• Avoid direct eye contact — This signals aggression to dogs; keep them in peripheral vision
• Stand still and calm — Keep arms at your sides, project confidence without aggression
• Give verbal commands — Say “No,” “Stay,” or “Go home” in a firm, low voice
• Back away slowly — Move diagonally (not straight backward), keeping the dog in view
• Create barriers — Put objects (backpack, jacket, purse) between you and the dog
• Use your voice — A loud, authoritative “No!” can sometimes stop an approaching dog

If a Dog Attacks

• Call 911 immediately if you’re in immediate danger or if others are present who can call
• Protect vital areas — Cover your face, neck, and chest with arms
• If knocked down, curl into a ball — Hands protecting neck and ears, knees to chest, stay still until help arrives or the dog leaves
• Do not pull away from a biting dog — This worsens tearing injuries; instead, try to remain still
• Shout for help continuously — Alert others who may be able to intervene or call for help

After an Attack

• Seek immediate medical attention at an emergency room, even if injuries seem minor
• Report to NYC Health Department within 24 hours — Call 311 or file online
• Document injuries with photos — Take pictures immediately and throughout the healing process
• Get witness contact information — Anyone who saw the attack or the dog’s prior behavior
• Contact an attorney at (212) 732-2929 before speaking with insurance adjusters
• Do not sign any documents from the dog owner or insurance company without legal advice

Teaching Children Safety Around Dogs

Children aged 5 to 9 are among the most common victims of dog bites in New York. Parents can reduce this risk by teaching children proper behavior around dogs and recognizing warning signs.

What Children Should NEVER Do Around Dogs

• Never approach a dog from behind — Dogs can perceive this as a threat and react defensively
• Never stare directly into a dog’s eyes — Direct eye contact is seen as aggressive behavior in dog communication
• Never pull on a dog’s ears, tail, or body — Pain provokes defensive biting
• Never kiss a dog on the face — Even friendly dogs can react unpredictably to face-to-face contact
• Never touch a dog’s food bowl while eating — Resource guarding is instinctive and can trigger aggression
• Never disturb a sleeping dog — Startling dogs can cause reflexive biting
• Never approach a dog with puppies — Maternal instinct makes dogs more protective and defensive
• Never run away from a dog — This triggers chase behavior

Safe Behavior for Children

Teach your child to:

• Always ask the owner’s permission before petting or touching any dog
• Extend their hand slowly, palm down, allowing the dog to sniff before petting
• Pet the dog’s shoulder or back, not the head or face
• Stay calm if approached by an aggressive dog — No running, screaming, or sudden movements
• Stand still like a tree with arms at their sides if a dog approaches barking
• Speak firmly yet calmly, saying “No” or “Go home”
• Slowly back away until the dog is out of sight, never turning their back and running

If a Dog Attacks a Child

Teach children that if a dog knocks them down, they should:

• Curl into a ball immediately — Knees to chest, protecting the torso
• Cover their face, neck, and head with their hands and arms
• Stay still and quiet until the dog leaves or help arrives
• Do not scream or flail — Movement can escalate the attack

Important for Parents: Adults should supervise all interactions between young children and dogs, even family pets. Never leave infants or toddlers alone with any dog, regardless of the dog’s history. Many serious attacks occur when children are left unsupervised with dogs in homes.

Compensation Available in Dog Bite Cases

Dog bite victims in New York City can recover both economic and non-economic damages:

Economic Damages

• Medical expenses — Emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgery, antibiotics, rabies treatment, medications, physical therapy, psychiatric counseling for trauma
• Future medical costs — Reconstructive surgery, scar revision procedures, ongoing psychological treatment, additional surgeries as children grow
• Lost wages — Time missed from work for treatment and recovery
• Loss of earning capacity — Permanent injuries affecting your ability to work or advance in your career
• Home care costs — If injuries require assistance with daily activities
• Property damage — Torn clothing, damaged personal items, ruined belongings

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering — Physical pain during the attack and throughout recovery
• Emotional distress — Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), fear of dogs
• Disfigurement — Permanent scarring, particularly on the face, neck, arms, or legs
• Loss of enjoyment of life — Inability to participate in activities you previously enjoyed
• Mental anguish — Ongoing psychological impact of the attack

Special Damages for Children

Children who suffer facial scarring or disfigurement from dog bites can recover substantial damages for:

• Impact on self-esteem and social development
• Psychological trauma and fear lasting into adulthood
• Multiple reconstructive surgeries as the child grows (facial structures change with age)
• Future counseling and therapy needs extending into adulthood
• Impact on future employment and relationships

Insurance Coverage

Many homeowners and renters insurance policies include liability coverage for dog bites. Available coverage limits vary by policy, but dog bite claims are among the most common homeowners insurance claims in New York. We pursue all available insurance coverage to maximize your recovery.

Our Personal Injury Trial Experience

Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP has recovered over $750 million for injured clients across all practice areas. We handle dog bite cases throughout NYC. Our experience includes:

• Catastrophic injury litigation — Cases involving permanent scarring, nerve damage, facial disfigurement, and psychological trauma requiring lifelong treatment
• Complex liability disputes — Proving owner knowledge of vicious propensities, establishing landlord liability in apartment buildings, and pursuing multiple-defendant cases
• Insurance negotiation and litigation — Maximizing recovery from homeowners policies, umbrella policies and business liability coverage
• Trial preparation and jury verdicts — Insurance companies take us seriously because we’re prepared to take cases to trial when fair settlements aren’t offered
• Medical expert coordination — Working with reconstructive surgeons, neurologists, psychiatrists, and animal behavior experts to prove the full extent of injuries

Our attorneys have successfully represented victims of serious dog attacks resulting in:

• Facial reconstruction and scar revision surgeries
• Permanent facial and body disfigurement
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) requiring ongoing therapy
• Nerve damage causing permanent loss of sensation or function
• Infections requiring hospitalization and IV antibiotics
• Children requiring multiple surgeries as they grow

We understand the medical, psychological, and financial impact these cases have on families. Our contingency fee structure means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

What Our Clients Say

“I just wanted to say a few words about the firm Dansker & Aspromonte, in regards to my case with their firm. If I could list 10 stars in rating I would they were compassionate, courteous, and pleasant always. The staff was professional at all times. Mr. Doug Hoffer was there for me every step of the way explaining everything from beginning to end. I felt like part of their family, I will miss being in contact with them, that is how understanding they were to all my needs. Mr. Sal Aspromonte was a gem, I probably drove him crazy, never once did he not answer my calls and get back to me, if not he would have a staff member take care of what I needed. As far as I am concerned if anyone ever needs a law firm for their needs Dansker & Aspromonte by far is the one to go with.”

“I would definitely recommend this law firm. From start to finish they worked with me on my case, great communication, stayed in contact with me at all times. When I say they went out of their way with me, they did just that. I was very satisfied with the law firm. Thank you again for every thing!!!!!”

“I feel so grateful to have this firm Dansker & Aspromonte to help with my case. Everyone in the law firm is so helpful and professional. They will walk you through all the steps, what’s happening next, explain everything thoroughly. I really appreciate their work. If you were suffered in personal injury, I would suggest this team.”

“It’s my pleasure to share my experiences with Dansker & Aspromonte Associates. From my initial meeting with an attorney through to the end of my time with the firm the quality of services was exceptional. All contacts with the firm via phone and in person were professional and I was prepared each step of the way to manage outside appointments and any contacts with opposing counsel. Essential qualities of good quality services are standard practices at Dansker & Aspromonte. Exceptional in every way. A more appropriate rating for the firm is ten stars! Quality at its best!!!”

Why Choose Dansker & Aspromonte for Your Dog Bite Case

• Over $750 million recovered for injured clients — We have the resources, experience, and track record to handle complex cases involving permanent injuries and maximum damages
• Proven trial experience — Insurance companies take us seriously because they know we’re prepared to go to trial and have a history of winning significant verdicts
• No upfront fees or costs — We work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. No hourly charges, no retainer fees, no hidden costs
• Deep experience with NYC courts — We handle cases in all five boroughs and understand local court procedures, judges, and opposing counsel
• Personalized attention from senior attorneys — You’ll work directly with experienced attorneys who handle your case personally, not paralegals or junior associates
• 24/7 availability — Dog attacks don’t happen on a schedule. We’re available around the clock to discuss your case
• Multilingual staff — We communicate with clients in English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese
• Network of medical experts — We work with top reconstructive surgeons, neurologists, psychiatrists, and animal behavior specialists to prove the full extent of your injuries

Our attorneys understand that dog attacks cause both physical injuries and lasting psychological trauma. We take the time to understand the full impact on your life, not just your medical bills. We fight for compensation that reflects your actual losses—past, present, and future.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bite Cases