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Wisconsin Dog Bite Statute

Wisconsin Dog Bite Statute

By statute, the owner, or in some situations, the “keeper”, of a dog is liable for the full amount of damages caused by the dog.

What Is the Wisconsin Dog Bite Laws?

The Wisconsin dog bite law is a “strict liability” law. This means that the claimant does not have to prove negligence on the part of the owner. 

Owners of dogs are liable for injuries and damages caused by their dogs to another person, domestic pet, or property.

What Constitutes a Dog Bite?

According to the state of Wisconsin,

“[T]he owner of a dog is liable for 2 times the full amount of damages caused by the dog biting a person with sufficient force to break the skin and cause permanent physical scarring or disfigurement if the owner was notified or knew that the dog had previously, without provocation, bitten a person with sufficient force to break the skin and cause permanent physical scarring or disfigurement.”

Wisconsin Statute 174.02 (b)

What To Do If Injured By Dog

A dog bite should be reported to local law enforcement. The most crucial first step is to ensure the dog is not released or destroyed if the dog bites or attacks. A ten-day quarantine can ensure the animal is free of rabies. Without a rabies vaccination and quarantine period, the bitten person may have to undergo a series of painful rabies shots.

  • State law requires that the dog owner provide proof of current vaccinations. If the dog is not vaccinated, the dog must be quarantined at an isolation facility.
  • An isolation facility can be a veterinarian’s office, a pound, a Humane Society shelter, or the owner’s home—provided the property is secure.
  • The dog must be quarantined for ten days.

The damages for a first bite or injury to a person is usually limited to the actual damages, such as  

  • Medical bills
  • Wage loss
  • Reasonable compensation for pain, discomfort and disfigurement

As stated earlier, however, if the owner knew that the dog had previously caused an injury, the owner may be liable for double the amount of damages.

Keeping a known dangerous dog, as defined by the law, can be a risky and expensive endeavor. Even if the initial injury was accidental or provoked, the owner is deemed having “notice”, and therefore, liable for double damages and fees if the dog bites again.

Important Changes to Wisconsin’s Dog Bite Laws

Changes made to Wisconsin’s dog bite law in 2015 clarified that in cases of a second bite, the first bite had to have been “without provocation” for victims to claim double damages. 

Double damages are only applicable to people and not domestic animals or property. Further, the bite must break the skin of the potential claimant and result in permanent scarring and disfigurement.

Find a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

If the injuries or damages caused by a dog bite are serious, contact us. Our experienced attorneys will help you understand your legal rights in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Since 1883, the attorneys at Doar, Drill & Skow have represented families, individuals and businesses across Wisconsin and Minnesota. Our areas of expertise include personal injury, criminal defense, family law and divorce, civil litigation, estate planning and trusts, workers compensation, and more.

As one of western Wisconsin’s most successful personal injury law firms, we have built our reputation on what we achieve for our clients. We are committed to being your advocate, regardless of your circumstances. Located in New Richmond, we serve clients throughout western Wisconsin and Minnesota.


DISCLAIMER: The Doar, Drill, and Skow blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported may come from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these types of situations choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.

Sources: Wisconsin Statute 174.02 (b) and The Wisconsin Department of Health Services

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