Markham Dog Bite Lawyer

Published: January 29, 2020 | Last Reviewed: May 1, 2026

Dog bites may lead to horrific and gruesome injuries. If a dog bite is severe enough, it may cause permanent physical and emotional damage and even death. If you were the victim of a dog bite, contact a personal injury lawyer serving Markham to help you understand your rights and help you seek compensation for your medical bills and lost wages if you qualify. Contact Preszler Injury Lawyers at 1-800-JUSTICE today.

What To Do After A Dog Bite

Dog bites may cause injuries or death. With such severe injuries, you may need emergency medical attention. If you, or someone you love, received serious injuries from a dog bite, make sure to follow these guidelines.

• Contact 911. If you have suffered injuries related to a dog bite, never hesitate to contact the police. The police may also likely bring emergency responders to help you with your medical issues.
• Clean the Wound. If you make the decision that your injuries are not severe enough to need immediate medical attention, and you decide to not call 911, then you must, at a minimum, clean the wound or laceration from dog bites as soon as possible. You must attempt to disinfect the area with warm water and soap, hydrogen peroxide, or alcohol. Depending on the dog bite, you may be at risk for an infection.
• Apply Bandages. Cover the entire area with a bandage to keep it clean and prevent any further types of infection. If you believe in any way that your wound is becoming infected or worsens in any way, seek medical attention.
• Monitor Your Injuries. Continually check your injuries that relate to your dog bite to ensure that your wound is not becoming infected.

However, under all circumstances, we strongly recommend you seek medical attention and not let your injuries fester. It is critical that if you have been injured in any way from a dog bite that you seek medical attention from a doctor, nurse, or another medical professional as soon as possible. You may have to receive a rabies shot as a precautionary measure. Only a qualified medical provider may be able to make this determination for you in this situation. Additionally, along with getting you the medical attention you deserve, you may have confirmation from a medical expert that your injuries were documented if you decide to file a lawsuit in the future.

If you were injured by a dog bite, after seeking medical attention, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers at 1-800-JUSTICEtoday to get in touch with a dog bite lawyer serving Markham so that we may be able to help you with your next steps. Whether you live in Markham, Unionville, Stouffville, or another nearby community in York region, we may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve.

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Dog Owner Liability

Strict Liability

Dog owners in Ontario are under strict liability to keep their dogs from injuring or biting others. The Ontario government established the Dog Owners’ Liability Act that codifies this strict liability responsibility for dog owners. This act means that the dog owner may almost always be held liable for their dog attacking or biting another person. Even if the dog has no prior history of violent behaviour, and the dog owner has not been negligent in any way, the dog owner may likely still be held responsible for any injuries caused by their animal.

Even if the owner of the dog was not present at the time of the attack, such as a neighbor watching the dog, the dog owner may still remain liable. The only exception to this strict liability law is if the person bitten by the dog was illegally trespassing on the dog owner’s property.

Dangerous Dogs

The Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 349 defines that a dangerous act by a dog is one of the following:

• The dog severely bit a person or domestic animal.
• The dog bit or attacked a person or domestic animal, and it is the second such bite or attack on record.
• The dog injured or threatened a human.
• The dog is the subject of a muzzle or control order.

Dangerous Dog Penalties

If a dog bites or attacks another person, the following penalties under the Toronto Municipal Code may apply:

• If the dangerous act is the first on record with the city, the police may serve the dog owner with a warning.
• If the dangerous act is the second or subsequent on record with the city or deemed to be severe, the courts may label the dog as a dangerous dog.
• If the dog is under a muzzle order or notice of caution order and the dog bites someone, the courts may deem the dog as a dangerous dog.
• Before the courts label a dog as a dangerous dog, an investigation may occur to determine if the dog was acting in self-defence.

It is important to note that these are penalties against the dog owner if the dog is a dangerous dog. These rulings are not the compensation awarded to the injured person of a dog bite. Dogs that are deemed to be dangerous dogs must be muzzled, leashed, and always controlled by the owner. The dog must wear a dangerous dog tag at all times, and the dog is not allowed to enter leash-free areas of a city park. The dog owner must post warning signs on their property, and the dog owner must obtain training for the dog.

Possible Damages

If you were injured due to a dog bite, you are likely suffering physical pain and have medical bills. However, you may also have psychological harm due to the trauma of the dog attack. Many people experience the terror of a dog bite and have residual emotional issues as a result. Additionally, if your injuries were severe enough, you may have had to take time off from work, resulting in lost wages. Our team can collaborate with our Markham long-term disability lawyers to investigate whether you are eligible for additional insurance coverage as a result. If the dog bite attack was catastrophic, you may have the right to pursue damages such as loss of future wages or loss of earning capacity if you qualify.

Contact A Dog Bite Lawyer Serving Markham

If you were injured by a dog bite, we may be able to help you with your case, and if you are eligible, work with you to pursue any damages caused by the dog bite, including medical bills, lost wages, or possible emotional trauma. Contact Preszler Injury Lawyers at 1-800-JUSTICE today to help you build a strong case. We serve Markham, Stouffville, Unionville, and communities across York region and the GTA.

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BITTEN OR ATTACKED BY A DOG IN MARKHAM?