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New York’s New Dog Bite Laws and How it Affects Dog Bite Claims

Posted on 06/30/25

Dog owners in New York may now face severe legal consequences if their dog bites someone, regardless of their dog’s behavioral history. New laws protect dog bite victims, broadening their legal options to seek compensatory damages. A Buffalo dog bite attorney can explain your options if you suffer injuries from a dog bite in New York.

What Is the One-Bite Rule? 

Until recently, New York’s laws reflected a modified interpretation of the one-bite rule. Owners were typically only legally responsible for a dog bite if the owner was aware or should have been aware of their dog’s predisposition for dangerous behavior. Under the old law, a dog owner was generally responsible only for the injured party’s medical bills. 

To recover additional compensation, a dog bite victim had to prove that the dog displayed aggressive behavior before being bitten. Owners often benefited significantly from the law because their dog’s first bite got a legal pass. 

Proving past aggression by a dog is challenging, frequently leaving dog bite victims in New York without compensation for their damages beyond medical expenses. The only legal recourse was to pursue compensation from a potentially negligent landlord, property owner, or government agency.

What is the Standard of Negligence Under New York’s New Dog Bite Law?

Recently, the New York Court of Appeals determined that owners may be found negligent and liable for the damages a dog bite causes even without a history of aggression. Under the recent ruling, dog bite victims can seek compensation based on strict liability or ordinary negligence rules. 

Filing a Buffalo personal injury claim under the previous dog bite laws in New York requires proving that a dog’s owner knew or should have known of a dog’s dangerous tendencies.

Seeking compensation under negligence rules allows dog bite victims to hold owners liable for negligence, regardless of a dog’s prior history. 

When Might a New York Dog Owner Be Liable for Negligence Under the New Law?

Seeking compensation for damages from a dog’s owner for negligence may occur by proving the following:

  • The owner did not confine the dog to a designated space
  • A Child was permitted to engage with a potentially dangerous dog
  • A dog was allowed to roam free
  • The owner violated New York City’s leash laws

Proving that a dog owner breached the duty of care they owe you is necessary under the rule of negligence.

How Does the New Dog Bite Law in New York Impact Victim Compensation?

A dog owner who is negligent for their dog causing your injuries and the damages you suffer may be legally responsible for your medical bills in addition to other economic and non-economic damages. Damages may include the following:

  • Lost wages 
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
  • Pain and suffering 
  • Disfigurement

Other damages may apply to your claim. Each dog bite claim is unique and varies based on the severity of the incident, requiring a thorough evaluation to maximize your recovery

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim Under New York’s New Dog Bite Law?

Buffalo residents have three years from the date of a dog bite occurring to file a lawsuit against a liable party. Speaking with a dog bite lawyer in Buffalo as soon as possible is always recommended to preserve evidence in a case. An attorney representing a New York dog bite claim may also successfully negotiate a fair settlement, preventing the insurance company from devaluing your claim and minimizing your damages.