Dog bites are traumatic, painful, and often completely unexpected. In Texas, dog attacks send thousands of people to emergency rooms each year — and when a bite is serious, victims face extensive medical treatment, permanent scarring, and lasting emotional trauma. If you or a loved one were bitten or attacked by someone else’s dog in the Houston area, the attorneys at John K. Zaid & Associates will fight to recover the full compensation you deserve.
Call us today: (281) 333-8959. Free consultation — no fee unless we win.
Texas Dog Bite Law: What You Need to Know
Unlike some states with strict “dog bite statutes,” Texas uses a combination of the common law “one bite rule” and statutory strict liability. Understanding which applies to your case matters enormously for what you need to prove.
The One Bite Rule (Common Law Negligence)
Under Texas common law, a dog owner can be held liable if the owner knew or should have known that the dog had dangerous propensities — even if the dog never bit anyone before. This “one bite rule” is somewhat misleading: you don’t have to prove a prior bite. Evidence of prior aggressive behavior (growling, lunging, snapping, jumping on people) can be enough to establish that the owner had knowledge of the dog’s dangerous tendencies.
Strict Liability Under Texas Law
Texas Health & Safety Code §822.005 imposes strict liability — meaning you don’t have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous — in two situations:
- The dog previously attacked someone and the owner knew it; or
- The owner violated an animal restraint law (such as a leash law or fence requirement) at the time of the attack
Additionally, under the Texas Dangerous Dog Act (§822.042), if a dog has been officially designated as “dangerous” by Harris County Animal Control or the City of Houston and the owner fails to comply with containment requirements, the owner faces strict liability for any subsequent attack.
Houston and Harris County Leash Laws
The City of Houston requires all dogs to be restrained at all times when off the owner’s property. Harris County has similar animal control ordinances. When a dog attacks while running loose — off-leash in a neighborhood, escaped from a yard, or improperly contained — the owner’s violation of these ordinances makes strict liability more likely and significantly strengthens your claim.
Common Dog Bite Injuries in Houston
Dog bites inflict injuries that range from minor to catastrophic. Our Houston dog bite attorneys commonly handle cases involving:
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations — dog jaws generate enormous pressure (200–450 psi), causing wounds that often require multiple surgeries and leave permanent scarring
- Facial injuries — attacks on children often target the face, causing injuries to lips, nose, ears, and eyes that may require plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Nerve damage — deep bites can sever nerves, causing permanent numbness, weakness, or loss of function in the hand or arm
- Infections — dog mouths contain hundreds of bacteria species; Pasteurella, Capnocytophaga, and staph infections can become life-threatening if untreated
- Rabies exposure — while rare in Texas, rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is expensive and requires multiple injections
- Crush injuries and broken bones — particularly in attacks on children and elderly victims
- Psychological trauma — post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), fear of dogs (cynophobia), nightmares, and anxiety are common after serious attacks
- Wrongful death — fatal dog attacks, while rare, do occur, particularly involving young children and infants
Who Is Liable for a Dog Bite in Texas?
The dog’s owner is the primary responsible party in most bite cases. But Texas law may also extend liability to others depending on the circumstances:
- Property owners and landlords — if a landlord knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous and failed to require its removal, the landlord may share liability for attacks that occur on the property
- Dog sitters, kennels, and dog walkers — a person or business temporarily in possession and control of the dog at the time of the attack may be liable if they were negligent in controlling the animal
- Homeowners insurance — most homeowners and renters insurance policies include dog bite liability coverage, typically $100,000–$300,000. This is often the primary source of compensation in dog bite cases
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Houston
- Get away from the dog and move to safety immediately
- Call 911 if the injuries are serious or the dog is still threatening
- Seek medical treatment immediately — even small puncture wounds can cause serious infections within 24–48 hours. Emergency rooms and urgent care centers can clean the wound, prescribe antibiotics, and assess rabies risk
- Report the bite to Houston Animal Control (311) or Harris County Animal Control — a formal report creates an official record of the incident and triggers a 10-day quarantine of the dog to check for rabies
- Photograph everything — document your injuries, the location of the attack, the dog, and anything that shows how the dog was or wasn’t contained
- Get witness contact information — neighbors, bystanders, anyone who saw the attack
- Identify the dog and owner — get the owner’s name, address, and homeowners/renters insurance information
- Do not give a recorded statement to the owner’s insurance company without first speaking to an attorney
- Contact a Houston dog bite lawyer — evidence can be lost quickly, and the owner’s insurer will begin investigating immediately
Damages You Can Recover After a Houston Dog Bite
Texas law allows dog bite victims to recover full compensation for their losses, including:
- Medical expenses — emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, physical therapy, and future medical costs
- Lost wages — income lost while recovering, plus future earning capacity if the injury causes permanent disability
- Pain and suffering — compensation for physical pain and emotional distress
- Disfigurement — Texas law specifically recognizes disfigurement as a separate category of damages, important in cases involving facial scarring
- Psychological treatment — therapy, counseling, and medication for PTSD and anxiety
- Property damage — if the attack destroyed clothing, glasses, or other property
- Punitive damages — in cases of extreme negligence or intentional conduct, Texas law (§41.003) allows the jury to award exemplary damages
Texas Dog Bite Statute of Limitations
Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003, dog bite injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the attack. For victims who were minors at the time of the attack, the two-year period generally begins when the victim turns 18.
Do not wait. Insurance companies begin investigating immediately, and evidence — surveillance footage, animal control records, witnesses — becomes harder to obtain with every passing week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the dog has never bitten anyone before?
You can still recover. Under Texas law, prior bites are not required — evidence that the owner knew the dog had aggressive tendencies (history of lunging, growling, escaping, or being reported to animal control) is sufficient. Violations of leash laws at the time of the attack also establish liability without requiring proof of prior bites.
What if I was bitten while trespassing?
Texas property owners owe a reduced duty of care to trespassers. However, if the attack occurred while you were lawfully on the property — as a guest, customer, delivery worker, mail carrier, or utility worker — the owner’s duty of care is higher and your claim is typically stronger.
What if the dog bite was partially my fault?
Texas uses a modified comparative fault system (§33.001). If you are found 50% or less at fault for provoking the attack, you can still recover — but your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. If a jury finds you 30% responsible and awards $200,000, you receive $140,000.
How much is my dog bite case worth?
Case values depend on the severity of injuries, the permanence of scarring or disability, lost income, and the available insurance coverage. Cases involving severe facial scarring, nerve damage, or PTSD — especially in children — can settle for six figures or more. We offer a free case evaluation with no obligation.
Will my case go to court?
The majority of dog bite cases settle before trial. However, we prepare every case as if it will go before a jury, which ensures we are negotiating from a position of strength. If the insurance company refuses to pay fair value, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial.
Contact Our Houston Dog Bite Lawyers Today
Dog bite injuries are serious, and the compensation process can be complex — especially when the owner’s insurance company is looking for reasons to minimize your claim. At John K. Zaid & Associates, we have handled hundreds of personal injury cases in the Greater Houston area and know how to build strong claims that get results.
Call (281) 333-8959 for a free, no-obligation consultation, or contact us online. We serve clients throughout Houston, Pasadena, Pearland, Sugar Land, Baytown, Katy, The Woodlands, and all of Harris County. We work on contingency — no fee unless we win.