Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Massachusetts

Re: dog bite/owner responsibility

You should report this to your insurance company and let them defend you. In Massachusetts, a

property owner is liable for dog bites unless the victim was a trespasser or abusing the dog. At

common law, the owner of a dog with dangerous propensities is strictly liable for the harm from the

dog. THIS COMMUNICATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE CREATION OF AN

ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. Legal rights vary greatly depending on specific facts, and it is

impossible on the basis of the recitation of a few facts to determine whether or not an individual has a

viable case, what is the full range of options, or what limitations exist which may bar an individual's

potential claims. ON THE BASIS OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO ME, I RECOMMEND THAT

YOU PROMPTLY CONSULT AN ATTORNEY TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF LEGAL RECOURSE,

IF ANY, YOU MAY HAVE. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON ANYTHING I HAVE STATED AS ADVICE

TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN TO CONSULT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS FULLY AN

APPROPRIATE COURSE OF ACTION.

Alan Pransky

Law Office of Alan J. Pransky

20 Eastbrook Road

Re: dog bite/owner responsibility

Take photographs of the area and go see an attorney. From what you say, you have a chance to avoid liability. Contact your business insurance person, if you have business liability insurance. File a report with your side of what happened.

Thomas Workman

Law Offices of Thomas Workman

41 Harrison Street, Taunton, MA