Personal Injury — All 254 Texas Counties
Texas Dog Bite and Animal Attack Lawyers
A dog bite in Texas can cause serious physical injuries, disfigurement, and lasting emotional trauma. Texas law allows bite victims to recover damages from negligent dog owners. No fee unless we win — free case evaluation.
Texas Dog Bite Law — The One-Bite Rule and Negligence
Texas follows the 'one-bite rule' under common law — meaning an owner is strictly liable for a dog bite if they knew the dog had previously bitten someone or behaved aggressively. But strict liability is not the only path to recovery:
Negligence claims: Even without prior bite history, an owner who fails to exercise reasonable care in controlling their dog can be liable for negligence. Allowing a dog known to be aggressive off-leash, ignoring warning signs of aggression, or failing to secure a yard are all negligence theories.
Local ordinances: Many Texas cities and counties have leash laws and dog control ordinances. A violation of those ordinances — running at large, no leash in public — may establish negligence per se.
Premises liability: If the bite occurred on the owner's property, premises liability theories apply as well as the specific dog bite rules.
- Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §33.001 — Comparative fault — applies to dog bite claims
Damages Available in Texas Dog Bite Cases
Dog bite injuries can cause serious, lasting harm. Recoverable damages include:
• Medical expenses — emergency room, surgery, wound care, rabies prophylaxis
• Reconstructive surgery and plastic surgery for disfigurement
• Lost wages during recovery
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement (non-economic)
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and PTSD (documented post-traumatic stress disorder from animal attacks)
• Future medical care
The homeowner's or renter's insurance policy of the dog's owner typically covers dog bite claims. Most policies have $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage for animal bites. Texas Defense Team negotiates directly with insurers to maximize recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Texas have strict liability for dog bites?+
Texas does not have a strict liability dog bite statute — it follows the common law 'one-bite rule.' However, an owner can be held strictly liable if they knew their dog had bitten before or shown dangerous propensities. Negligence claims are available even without prior bite history.
What if I was bitten by a dog while on the owner's property?+
Being on the property is relevant to whether you were an invitee, licensee, or trespasser — which affects the duty of care owed to you. Invited guests (invitees) on the property are owed the highest duty. Texas Defense Team evaluates the specific circumstances of where and why you were on the property.