Strict Liability Means the Owner Pays — Period
A lot of states follow the 'one bite rule,' meaning a dog owner isn't liable unless they knew their dog was dangerous. Utah is different. Under strict liability, it doesn't matter if the dog has never bitten anyone before. It doesn't matter if the owner kept the dog on a leash. It doesn't matter if the owner is the nicest person in the neighborhood. If their dog bit you, they owe you for your injuries. End of story. I've used this law to recover significant settlements for clients — including children — who were attacked by dogs with no prior history of aggression.
Dog Bite Injuries Are More Serious Than People Think
People think of dog bites as minor — a bandage and you're fine. That's not what I see in my practice. I've handled dog bite cases involving severe facial lacerations requiring plastic surgery, nerve damage in hands and arms, serious infections, deep puncture wounds requiring multiple surgeries, and psychological trauma — especially in children — that requires years of counseling. These are serious injuries with serious costs, and the dog owner's homeowner's insurance policy covers them.
Children Are the Most Common Victims
This is personal for me. As a father of five, dog bite cases involving children hit different. Kids are at face-height with most dogs. They don't know how to read a dog's body language. And the emotional trauma of being attacked by an animal can last years. If your child was bitten, don't minimize it. Get medical attention, document the injuries with photos, report it to animal control, and call us. We fight aggressively for families in these cases because kids deserve justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I was on the dog owner's property?
You're still protected under Utah's strict liability law — unless you were trespassing or provoking the animal. Invited guests, neighbors, delivery workers, and even passersby are covered.
Should I report the bite to animal control?
Yes, always. It creates an official record that's valuable for your case, and it protects other people from the same dog. We can help you with this process.
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