With warmer weather finally arriving in Ohio, many of us are excited to get back outside and enjoy the activities we’ve missed all winter. Soon, backyards will be filled with barbecues and gatherings, children will return to baseball fields, parks will host family picnics, and neighborhoods will come alive with people walking their dogs and enjoying the sunshine.
Spring and summer bring dog owners and their furry friends outside in greater numbers. While most encounters are friendly, not all of them end that way. Unfortunately, the increase in outdoor activity can also mean an increased risk of unexpectedly encountering an aggressive or dangerous dog. Sometimes, encounters with a dangerous dog can turn into a dog bite injury lawsuit.
Dog bites and attacks remain a significant safety concern across our state and our country. According to the United States Postal Service’s national rankings, in 2024, more than 6,000 postal workers were attacked by canines across the country. With 350 reported incidents, Ohio ranked third in the United States, placing the Buckeye State among the states with the highest number of dog bite incidents.
In fact, this epidemic is especially noticeable in Ohio’s largest cities. Cincinnati and Cleveland ranked fifth and eighth, respectively, among U.S. cities with the most reported dog bite incidents.
Ohio imposes strict liability on dog owners for “any injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the dog.” R.C. 955.28(B). This means that if a dog hurts someone, the owner is responsible for the injuries caused by the dog regardless of whether the dog had a history of biting, attacking, or other aggressive tendencies. This also means that a dog bite victim need not demonstrate that the dog owner was negligent - the statute imposes liability upon the owner regardless of whether the owner acted negligently.
Ohio’s dog bite statute also extends strict liability to anyone who provides some measure of care, custody, or control over the dog (called “keepers” and “harborers” in the statute). See R.C. 955.28.
There are two common exceptions that relieve Ohio dog owners of strict liability for a bite or attack:
A dog owner is not strictly liable if the person injured by the dog was criminally trespassing or committing some other crime other than a minor misdemeanor on the owner’s property.
A dog owner is not strictly liable if the person injured by the dog was “teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog” on the owner’s property.
Considering the high responsibility that Ohio places on dog owners, it is important that all dog owners check their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy to ensure that it covers any potential injuries that could be caused by a dog.
When dog attacks do happen, they can be devastating to the persons who are often times seriously injured and their families. Plakas Mannos has litigated numerous cases with families that have been harmed by dog attacks, including wrongful deaths due to dog attacks throughout Ohio, including in Canton, Massillon, Akron and surrounding areas in Stark, Summit, and Tuscarawas Counties in Ohio.
Plakas Mannos has represented clients ranging from elderly people who have been knocked over by dogs, children and adults who have been bitten by dogs at apartment complexes and residences, and other injuries caused by dogs.
Many times, our representation includes identifying and interviewing witnesses or others who have interacted with the dog. This can be especially important in cases where it is not obvious who is “keeping” or “harboring” the dog, such as in instances involving apartment complexes.
Our team of dog bite lawyers are here to help you or your family. If you or a family member have been seriously injured or suffered a wrongful death as a result of a dog bite or dog attack, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Michael A. John is an associate attorney at Plakas Mannos who focuses his practice on domestic relations, personal injury, and general litigation.