Proving a Dog Bite Claim in Ontario

Published: January 21, 2026 | Last Reviewed: October 14, 2026

Key Takeaways

• Ontario’s Dog Owners’ Liability Act holds owners strictly liable for bites, even if the dog has never attacked before or the owner did nothing wrong.
• Compensation can be reduced if the victim provoked the dog or was injured while committing a crime like trespassing, but partial fault doesn’t eliminate the claim.
• Damages can include medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage. Preszler Injury Lawyers has secured settlements of up to and over $900,000 in serious dog bite cases.
• Acting fast matters: get medical care, report the incident, document evidence, and speak with a lawyer before evidence becomes harder to gather.
• Limitation periods may apply, so it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible after a dog bite injury.

Ontario law generally holds dog owners responsible when their dog bites or attacks another person or domestic animal. Unlike some personal injury claims, an injured person does not normally need to prove that the owner knew the dog was dangerous or had previously attacked someone.

That can make liability more straightforward, but it does not mean every dog bite claim is simple.

The amount of compensation available can depend on the severity of the injuries, permanent scarring, psychological effects, lost income, future care needs and whether the injured person contributed to the incident.

Dog attacks can also cause compensable injuries without an actual bite. For example, a person may be knocked to the ground, fall from a bicycle while avoiding a dog, or suffer another injury during an attack.

Because proving fault is still part of the process, dog bite victims or their families should speak to a dog bite lawyer for help filing a claim for their dog bite injuries.

If you or someone close to you has suffered a dog bite, your immediate focus should be on addressing the injury and documenting what happened.

Here is what Ontario residents should know about dog bite claims, settlements and owner liability in 2026.

What To Do After a Dog Bite Attack in Ontario

The first priority after any dog bite or attack should be your health. The steps you take shortly afterwards can also help preserve important evidence if you later pursue compensation.

1. Seek Medical Attention

Dog bites can result in puncture wounds, infection, nerve damage, tendon injuries and permanent scarring. More serious attacks can cause fractures, brain injuries or other trauma.

Seek appropriate medical care and follow the treatment recommendations you receive. Medical records can later help establish the nature of the injury, the treatment required and its effect on your life.

2. Report the Attack

Report the incident to the appropriate local authority, such as animal services, a municipal bylaw department, public health authorities or police where appropriate.

Try to obtain:

• The dog owner’s name and contact information
• The address where the dog is normally kept
• A description of the dog
• Information about the circumstances of the attack
• Names and contact information for witnesses
• Any incident or report number provided by authorities

If the attack happened in Toronto, reach out to Toronto Animal Services at (416) 338-7297.

3. Secure and Preserve Evidence of the Attack

Take photographs of your injuries as soon as possible and continue documenting them as they heal.

Also preserve evidence such as:

• Torn or bloodied clothing
• Damaged glasses, bicycles or other belongings
• Photographs or video of the location
• Witness information
• Medical records
• Medication and treatment receipts
• Records of missed work
• Communications with the dog owner

Visible injuries such as scars can change significantly over time, making early photographs particularly important.

4. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

A dog bite lawyer can guide you through the claims process and help you gather evidence before it becomes difficult or impossible to obtain.

It’s important to get started early so key evidence is preserved and available when filing a claim. If a dog bite has injured you, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your situation and your possible legal options.

How Does Ontario’s Dog Owners’ Liability Act Work?

In Ontario, injuries caused by dog attacks are governed by the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (DOLA), R.S.O. 1990, c. D.16. Under this law:

• Section 2(1) states that “The owner of a dog is liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack by the dog on another person or domestic animal.”
• The first part of Section 2 (3) reads: “The liability of the owner does not depend upon knowledge of the propensity of the dog or fault or negligence on the part of the owner…”

This creates strict liability for dog owners.

In other words, if their dog causes harm, the owner is legally responsible for the resulting damages, regardless of whether the dog has attacked before or whether the owner did anything wrong.

What if I Was Partly Responsible for the Dog Attack?

Ontario’s strict liability rules do not mean the injured person’s behaviour is irrelevant.

The Dog Owners’ Liability Act requires a court to reduce damages in proportion to the extent that the injured person’s own fault or negligence caused or contributed to the loss.

This is commonly referred to as contributory negligence.

For example, compensation could potentially be reduced where evidence shows that a person deliberately provoked the dog or ignored clear warnings about the animal.

The important point is that being partly responsible does not necessarily prevent someone from making a claim altogether. Instead, compensation may be reduced according to their share of responsibility.

What You Can Claim for After a Dog Bite in Ontario (Damages Explained)

Because every case is different, there is no standard or average settlement amount for dog bite claims in Ontario. Settlement amounts are based on the extent of the injuries and the impact they have on a victim’s life.

Insurance companies often dispute how serious the injury is, how long recovery will take, or whether scarring or psychological harm is permanent.

A lawyer’s role is to present evidence clearly so that all damages are properly considered.

Factors that typically influence dog bite settlements include:

• Severity of the physical injuries (including scarring, nerve damage, and infection)
• Impact on daily activities and ability to work
• Need for surgery, medical follow-ups, or cosmetic treatment
• Psychological effects, such as anxiety around animals or trauma
• Victim’s age, scarring, or psychological harm to a child often have greater long-term consequences
• Evidence supporting losses (photos, medical reports, wage documentation, vet bills, etc.)

The damages you receive may include:

• Pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life: Dog bites frequently cause scarring, nerve damage, chronic pain, and psychological trauma, including anxiety around animals. These losses can be compensated even if there is no income loss.
• Medical and rehabilitation costs: These cover emergency treatment, stitches or surgery, medication, infection care, physical therapy, and ongoing medical follow-up.
• Lost income and loss of earning capacity: If the injury prevents you from working temporarily or permanently, you may recover wages you lost, as well as future income losses.
• Out-of-pocket expenses: Victims can claim expenses such as medication, bandages, travel to medical appointments, and other injury-related costs.
• Damage to your personal property or pet: If a dog attack injures your pet or damages personal property (such as torn clothing or broken glasses), those losses may also be included in the claim.

Ultimately, the value of a dog bite claim depends on the evidence showing how the attack affected the victim physically, financially, and emotionally. The more clearly those losses are documented, the easier it is to assess the full value of the claim rather than focusing only on the initial injury.

The settlement examples below show how significantly claim value can vary depending on the seriousness of the injuries and their long-term effects.

Ontario Dog Bite Settlement Examples

Our recent work includes settlements worth $900,000 and above.

A client sustained a significant head injury after being attacked by a dog. The long-term effects required ongoing treatment and affected their ability to work, leading to a substantial settlement reflecting both medical needs and loss of earning capacity.

In another case, an individual was riding a bicycle in a park when a dog ran toward them and made contact. The collision caused a fall, resulting in serious brain injuries. Compensation reflected the severity of the injury, long-term cognitive impacts, available insurance and future care needs.

You can read more about recent cases on our settlements page. These examples illustrate that settlements are not determined by the type of incident alone, but by the seriousness of the injury, its long-term impact, and the evidence supporting the claim.

Speak with an Ontario Dog Bite Lawyer

If you or someone you care about has been injured by a dog in Ontario, legal support can make a crucial difference in the outcome of your claim.

A lawyer can help protect your rights, gather evidence, and pursue compensation that reflects the true impact of your injuries.

To learn more about your options, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call 1-888-690-3086 today to speak with our team.

Below, you’ll find additional answers to common questions about Ontario dog bite claims and the legal process.

Who Is Liable For The Dog Bite?

The Act assigns liability to the owner for all damages resulting from a bite or attack. This includes injuries to both humans and domestic animals. For example, you may seek damages if you were out walking your dog in a public space and a stranger’s dog attacked both you and your dog.

What If The Owner Didn’t Know The Dog Was So Aggressive?

The owner retains liability for the attack even if he or she was unaware of the dog’s capacity for aggression. This means the dog’s owner may be held liable even if this was the first time the dog attacked or bit a person or domestic animal.

Are There Any Circumstances Where A Dog’s Owner May Avoid Liability?

The court may reduce your damages if the defendant can prove your actions contributed to the attack. For example, your final compensation may be reduced if the owner can prove you were provoking the dog at the time of the attack. The court will reduce your damages in direct proportion to the degree to which it finds you to be at fault for the attack.

The owner is not liable in cases where a person enters a property for the purpose of committing a criminal act. This means you cannot collect damages if the dog’s owner can prove you were trespassing on private property or engaged in theft or vandalism at the time of the attack. This applies except in cases where the court finds the keeping of a dog to be “unreasonable.”

What Happens If There Were Multiple Owners?

The Act provides that all owners will be held jointly and severally liable in cases where more than one party is identified as the dog’s owner. This means you can seek full damages from any one party (owner). In turn, that defendant can pursue applicable damages from other liable owners.

We’re here to help.