Dog Bites and Other Animal Incidents

Connecticut Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Protecting Victims and Families

Bitten or Attacked by a Dog?

A sudden bite can leave puncture wounds, scarring, nerve damage, and anxiety that lingers. Children and delivery workers are often affected in neighborhoods from Milford’s Walnut Beach to busy streets in Bridgeport and Waterbury. Collier & Manning Trial Lawyers helps victims pursue compensation for treatment and the emotional aftermath.

Connecticut follows a strict rule that often holds owners responsible for harm caused by their dogs, even if there was no prior bite history. Exceptions can apply for trespassing or provocation, but many victims qualify for a claim. We gather animal control records, witness statements, and medical documentation to present a clear case.

Get medical care to reduce infection risk and document injuries. Report the incident to local authorities so there is an official record. Identify the owner and confirm vaccination status, then take photos of wounds and damaged clothing. Before speaking with the owner’s insurer, consult our dog bite attorney team in Connecticut. Many claims are paid by homeowners or renters insurance.

What Compensation Can Cover

Compensation may include emergency care, antibiotics and follow-up visits, plastic surgery for scar revision, lost wages, and the human cost of pain, scarring, and anxiety. When a child is injured, we account for long-term physical and emotional effects and coordinate with treating providers to support recovery.

How Collier & Manning Builds Your Claim

We investigate the dog’s history through public records and neighbors, request any prior complaint files, and organize medical proof. If the owner claims you provoked the dog, we work to counter that with witness accounts and context. If an attack led to a tragic loss, our team can advise on wrongful death claims where applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dog Bites

  • The dog’s owner insists it was my fault because I walked into their yard – can I still recover?

    It depends on the situation. Connecticut law bars recovery if you were trespassing or provoking the dog. If you accidentally wandered onto private property, that might be considered trespassing, which complicates the claim. But if, for example, you were invited onto the property (like a postal worker, utility worker, or guest) then you have a right to be safe from dog attacks. We could begin to examine the facts during your consultation.

  • What if the dog has never bitten anyone before?

    In CT, that doesn’t matter – the owner can still be liable on the first bite. They can’t use “I had no idea Fido would bite” as a defense under strict liability.


  • Will the dog be put down if I report the bite or file a claim?

    Not necessarily. In many cases, if it’s a first bite, the dog might just be quarantined for rabies observation and then returned to the owner with maybe a warning or requirement to leash. Only in severe cases or repeat attacks do authorities consider stronger action. Our role is to get you compensation; the decision about the dog’s fate is up to animal control/the courts, not the civil injury claim. We understand you may not want the dog harmed – pursuing a claim is about covering your costs, not punishing the dog.


  • The owner doesn’t have insurance – is it worth suing them personally?

    Many homeowners do have insurance that covers dog bites. If truly no insurance, we can investigate other options (like if the attack happened due to a landlord’s negligence in an apartment setting, maybe a landlord could be liable). If the owner has assets, a suit might still be viable. This is case-specific – we’d discuss your options in a free consult.

  • How long do I have to file?

    Many injury claims have a two-year deadline. It’s best to start soon to document everything and because memory of witnesses (and condition of scars) is freshest earlier.

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