Dog bites and other personal injury claims from animal attacks are unfortunately common in Maine. The injuries can range from minor to disfiguring, to death, but there is almost always a mental or emotional injury associated with this type of injury, as well.
The process of recovering from a dog bite can be difficult and complicated. Recovering financially for the damage caused can be even more challenging. You need a personal injury attorney who is experienced in these types of cases.
A Maine dog bite lawyer can provide qualified guidance and representation for you if you have been injured by an animal in Maine.
Contact us at 207-709-0900 to discuss your case in detail.
When an animal attacks, the injuries can be more severe than even a car accident. Unfortunately, the pressure of an animal’s jaw from a bite, or its nails from mauling, can produce catastrophic injuries. Disfiguring scars are not uncommon results of a dog bite.
Other common injuries include:
You may be able to receive compensation for past and future losses, including but not limited to:
Your recovery from these injuries comes first. You should focus on your medical treatment and allow a Maine dog attack lawyer to deal with the rest.
The Client Experience
A dog attack can happen without warning and leave you with injuries and a lot of unanswered questions about liability. Here is what working with our team looks like, in the words of the people who have lived it.
A dog attack raises different legal questions than a car crash, and we know how to work through them.
“One night in my yard, I and my daughter’s dog (Huck) was attacked by my neighbor’s dog. That attack changed Huck’s and my life.”
Corleen A., Google Review
Pet liability law has its own nuances. You should not have to untangle them on your own.
“Christiane was super helpful in explaining some of the nuances around tort law and pet liability. Very generous with her time and had great advice.”
Andrew M., Google Review
A dog attack can leave you with questions long after the physical wounds close. We help find the answers.
“I had several insurance related as well as personal injury questions regarding an accident that my parents were involved in. Robin and Chrissy called me back the same afternoon.”
Mike T., Google Review
A dog attack can happen without warning and leave you facing questions about liability. We cannot undo what happened, but we can carry the weight of the claim, and stay beside you until you are able to move forward.
The owner or keeper of a dog or animal is responsible for any damages they cause to a person or property. This is true even if the dog or animal had not caused any injury or damage previously.
Maine’s dog bite law appears in Section 3961 of the Maine Revised Statutes. An injured person may hold an animal’s owner liable if:
State law has different requirements depending on where the attack occurred. For example, if the attack occurred on the dog owner’s property, the injured person must show that the owner’s negligence caused the injury.
In other words, the injured person must show that the owner failed to exercise reasonable care in controlling the dog or preventing the injury.
If the injury did not occur on the owner’s property, the injured person does not need to prove that the owner was negligent. Maine’s animal injury law applies to any type of injury, not just to animal bites.
For example, if a person is knocked down by a dog that may have escaped from its leash and suffers injury, they may seek compensation, even if the dog did not bite the person.
Dog owners often have insurance coverage for dog bites or animal attacks, usually through their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies.
If you’re uncertain about how to handle the case of a dog bite, calling an attorney may help. If you have an injury and the owner of the dog responsible for the bite is unavailable, won’t take responsibility for the accident, or denies accountability, a lawyer may be able to help.
If the owner is in communication with you regarding the accident and acknowledges fault, it may still be helpful to have a lawyer. An attorney may help you get the compensation from insurance that you truly deserve.
Often, pursuing a legal case on your own can you leave you under-compensated.
Maine follows a strict liability standard for dog bite injuries. Under Maine law, a dog owner is liable for damages caused by their dog biting or attacking a person, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog had aggressive tendencies or had ever bitten before. This makes it generally straightforward to establish the owner’s legal responsibility.
Dog bite victims in Maine may recover compensation for emergency medical treatment, surgery for deep wounds or nerve damage, reconstructive procedures for scarring, lost income during recovery, emotional distress and psychological trauma, and future medical costs related to the injury.
Yes. Children are particularly vulnerable in dog attack cases, and Maine courts recognize that children may bear less or no comparative fault because they may not appreciate the risk posed by a dog. Claims involving child victims may also include damages for parental loss of services and the child’s long-term psychological harm.
The relationship between you and the dog owner does not affect the strict liability rule under Maine law. You still have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries. In many cases, the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy covers dog bite claims, allowing recovery without direct financial harm to the relationship.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite or animal attack in Maine, these trusted local resources can help with medical care, animal control reporting, insurance information, and recovery support. While these services can assist in the immediate aftermath, speaking with a Maine dog bite attorney as soon as possible can help protect your rights and your claim.
Report a dangerous dog incident in the Portland area, request animal control response, or file a complaint against a dog owner. Call (207) 854-9771.
Report dog bite incidents within Bangor city limits. Animal control officers investigate attacks and enforce Maine’s leash and dangerous dog laws. Call (207) 947-7382.
Every municipality in Maine is required to have an animal control officer. Contact your local town office or police department to reach the animal control officer for your area.
Request records of prior dangerous dog designations, complaints, or enforcement actions involving the attacking animal from the Maine Department of Agriculture. Call (877) 269-9200 (Toll Free)
Search civil case filings and court dates for dog bite injury claims filed in Maine Superior and District Courts.
35 Medical Center Pkwy, Augusta, ME 04330. Full-service hospital with emergency services for animal attack victims in Kennebec County.
Immediate wound care, tetanus updates, and specialist referrals for dog bite victims across Maine who do not require emergency department treatment.
Maine’s strict liability dog bite law holds dog owners legally responsible for any injury or property damage their animal causes, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before and the owner had no prior knowledge of aggression. The only defense is that the injured person was at fault.
Maine law treats dog bite liability differently depending on where the attack occurred. For attacks on the owner’s property, the victim must show the owner failed to exercise reasonable care. For attacks off the owner’s property, negligence does not need to be proven — strict liability applies automatically. This distinction is explained in Title 7 § 3961.
Maine law defines dangerous dogs and establishes procedures for quarantine, destruction, and owner penalties following serious attacks. Prior dangerous dog designations strengthen a dog bite injury claim.
Maine’s modified comparative fault rule applies to dog bite claims. If the victim is found partially at fault (for example, by provoking the animal), their compensation is reduced proportionally. You may still recover as long as you are 50% or less at fault.
Maine allows six years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death resulting from an animal attack, the deadline is two years from the date of death under Title 18-C § 2-807.
If the attacking dog’s vaccination status is unknown, prompt medical evaluation is critical. Maine CDC and local health departments coordinate rabies exposure assessments and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) recommendations.
Dog owners are frequently covered for bite claims through their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies. The Maine Bureau of Insurance provides information on how to file insurance complaints and verify coverage status. Call (800) 300-5000.
If a dog owner claims they have no insurance or denies coverage, Maine’s Bureau of Insurance can assist in verifying policy information relevant to your claim.
Mental health counseling and trauma-informed therapy for Maine dog bite and animal attack survivors dealing with PTSD, anxiety, phobias, and emotional trauma following a serious attack.
24/7 crisis support for Maine residents experiencing acute trauma or mental health distress following a serious dog attack. People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Free, confidential, 24/7 mental health and substance use treatment referral and information. Call 1-800-662-4357.
The experience and relationships of Mann Law are invaluable. While you work on your health, a Maine dog bite lawyer can take care of everything else to obtain the compensation you deserve. Get in touch with our firm today to get started.
