Dog Bites Involving Children: What Parents Should Know
There are several things parents should know about dog bites involving children. From Ohio’s statute of limitations on claims to court-approved settlements, there are several important factors to consider.
To learn more about the legalities behind what happens when a dog bites a child, keep reading. The well-versed personal injury attorneys at Charles E. Boyk Law Offices provide the basics, giving you a clearer picture of your family’s legal options.
Non-Negligent Dog Bite States
As a no-fault, strict-liability state under the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) § 955.28, owners are automatically liable for injuries, regardless of the dog’s past behavior. You can pursue a negligence claim if the owner failed to properly restrain or control their dog. Legal responsibility also extends to anyone in possession or control of the dog at the time of the attack, such as a pet sitter or dog walker.
As the parent of a child dog bite victim, you do not need to prove the dog was vicious or that the owner knew it was dangerous to recover damages, unlike one-bite rules. You only need to show that the dog caused your child’s injury. However, there are some exceptions. If the minor was trespassing on the owner’s property or teasing the dog, for example, you may not be able to seek compensation on their behalf.
Are Dog Bite Laws Applied Differently for Minors?
Ohio lawmakers treat dog bite cases involving minors differently from those related to adult-aged victims, so parents need to be aware that children are entitled to an extended statute of limitations. For statutory strict liability claims, adults have six years to sue, or just two years from the date of the injury if the lawsuit is based on common law negligence.
However, the state pauses the lawsuit filing deadline for minors until they reach the age of majority. This regulation allows them to file a lawsuit up to their 24th birthday. It also requires court approval for settlements, enabling a judge to protect the child’s interests. The state also analyzes provocation differently for young children, who may not understand how to interact safely with dogs.
Does Avery’s Law Apply to Dog Bites Involving Children?
Avery’s Law, or House Bill 247, was named after 2024 attack victim Avery Russell. Two pitbulls mauled the 11-year-old girl while visiting a friend’s home. She experienced severe facial disfigurement, including the loss of both ears, and spent a month in the hospital undergoing six painful surgeries. The court found Stephanie Ayers, the dog owner, guilty of failing to confine and register her dogs and sentenced her to four days in jail, a $450 fine, and a three-year ban on dog ownership. However, the child’s parents and local prosecutors criticized the sentence as being too lenient for such a dog bite case.
The Ohio Senate passed Avery’s Law unanimously, with Governor DeWine signing it into law, effective in March of 2026. It is a significant modification and expansion of existing dog laws, strengthening dangerous dog regulations and increasing penalties for owners whose dogs cause injury. The legislation also grants dog wardens the ability to seize dogs after attacks, requires $100,000 liability insurance for vicious dogs, and mandates euthanasia for dogs that cause serious injury or death in unprovoked attacks.
How Does the State Define a Dangerous Dog?
Ohio’s dangerous dog classification, as defined under ORC § 955.11, is a dog that has caused injury to a person (other than killing or severely injuring), killed another dog, or was the subject of a third violation of confinement laws under ORC § 955.22, thereby eliminating the one-bite rule. The state also considers a dog to be dangerous if it continues to act dangerously after receiving this designation. Dog owners can submit a written appeal of this decision to the county or municipal court within 10 days. If an individual sells or rehomes a dog they know to be dangerous or vicious, the individual must also disclose this information, along with the dog’s history of biting, to the new owner.
ORC §955.22 covers control and confinement (dangerous/vicious dogs) by stating that owners must securely enclose dangerous dogs in a locked pen, fenced yard, or house. When off the owner’s premises, a dangerous dog must be on a leash no longer than six feet and under reasonable control. Owners must also register the dangerous dog with the county auditor, display a special tag, and possibly maintain liability insurance to cover future claims. Violations of this local law are generally a first-degree misdemeanor, with higher penalties for repeat offenders. Parents should be aware that wardens also have the authority to immediately seize and euthanize dogs that have killed or seriously injured any child or adult.
Legal Reporting Requirements for Dog Bites
Ohio allows just 24 hours to report any dog bites to the local health district where the attack occurred. This reporting requirement applies to any bite by a non-human mammal and can be made by the victim, a doctor, or a veterinarian. A report initiates a 10-day observed quarantine for the dog to manage rabies risk.
Types of Dog Bite Injuries Involving Children
According to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, dog bites frequently involve the child’s face, head, and neck. Injuries from these attacks range from minor abrasions to severe lacerations, puncture wounds, and crushing injuries. Young children are particularly vulnerable, often suffering significant facial damage, fractures, nerve damage, or infections requiring surgical intervention.
What Is the Average Settlement in a Dog Bite Claim Involving a Child?
Because each case is unique, our skilled team of attorneys cannot provide an exact indication of damages. However, we can review historical data and provide an average. The data show that most cases settle within a range of approximately $10,000 for minor injuries to over $500,000 for severe, disfiguring cases.
Settlements for recoverable damages vary significantly. Due to the potential for long-term impact on a child, dog bite claims often reach higher amounts than adult claims, with victims’ parents able to seek compensation for economic damages (medical bills, future treatment, and property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and emotional distress).
What Is the Leading Cause of Dog Bites Involving Kids?
Parents should be aware that dog bites involving children often occur at home and frequently involve family pets. While fatal attacks are rare in Ohio, injuries often involve known dogs within their own home. Sudden movements or loud noises from children may trigger panic-based bites, especially in older dogs or those not accustomed to having kids nearby.
The leading causes of dog bites involve resource guarding, particularly around food and toys. Unexpected or improper handling by children may lead to fear-based reactions, while underlying pain or health issues, especially in senior dogs, can increase reactivity. Outside the home, your child may encounter a dog guarding their home or yard against perceived threats. Many bites occur when children are unsupervised around pets, such as at a neighbor’s backyard party.
Recent Dog Bite Attacks Involving Children
Recent fatal incidents involving dogs and children sadly highlight the risk of pets to our community’s youngest members. In April 2026, separate attacks involving family dogs in Ohio killed a 7-month-old girl and a 3-year-old child. In October 2025, a stray dog attacked a 4-year-old girl and her mother, resulting in serious injuries requiring hospitalization. Although these dog bite attacks resulted in severe injuries and lasting trauma for children and their parents, representatives from Charles E. Boyk Law Offices were able to hold the owner of a Great Dane strictly liable for damages involving a young victim receiving permanent scarring to his face.
Steps Parents Should Take After a Dog Bites Your Child
If a dog bites your child, taking immediate and decisive action is essential for their well-being and to protect your family’s claim. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys recommends following various steps, including:
- Seek immediate medical care to treat your child’s injuries
- Secure the dog and identify its owner
- Get contact information from all witnesses
- Confirm the dog’s rabies vaccination status, if possible
- Notify the local health commissioner or animal control of the attack within 24 hours
- File a police report to create an official record of the bite
- Document the scene by taking photos of the dog, your child’s injuries, and the location where the attack occurred
- Watch for signs of infection, such as fever, increased pain, swelling, or odor around the wound
- Hire a psychologist to address potential fear or anxiety, as dog attacks can traumatize children
- Keep all records of medical treatments and expenses for potential claims
It is vital to contact an experienced dog bite attorney who understands your rights and can help you navigate a personal injury claim for damages.
Contact Us Today About Your Child’s Dog Bite and Legal Representation for Parents
If you are wondering about dog bites involving children and what you need to know as a parent, hiring a personal injury attorney is crucial to navigating Ohio’s strict liability laws. The team at Charles E. Boyk Law Offices will ensure your little one receives fair compensation for their past and future medical bills, permanent scarring, and psychological trauma.
Let our skilled legal advocates handle insurance negotiations, identify liable parties, and protect your family from a lowball settlement offer. Our 1500-plus five-star reviews speak for themselves. Call us today to learn more about our No Fee Promise and schedule your free, confidential consultation.
