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.
Key Takeaways
- Dog bite injuries in Maine can be severe, ranging from deep lacerations and nerve damage to amputation and permanent disfigurement: Nearly every animal attack also carries a significant emotional toll, including post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression that can last long after the physical wounds heal.
- In Maine, dog owners are legally responsible for injuries their animals cause, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before: This strict liability standard means you do not need to prove the owner knew their dog was dangerous in order to pursue a claim.
- The rules for proving liability depend on where the attack occurred: If the bite happened off the owner’s property, negligence does not need to be proven. If it occurred on the owner’s property, the injured person must show the owner failed to exercise reasonable care in controlling the animal.
- Maine’s dog bite law applies to all types of animal injuries, not just bites: If a dog knocks someone down and causes injury while off its leash, for example, the victim may still have a valid claim for compensation.
- Compensation after a dog attack can cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more: Dog owners are often covered through homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, but pursuing a fair settlement without legal help can leave victims significantly under-compensated.
Dog Bite Injuries and Damages
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:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages or earning potential
- Damage to relationships
- Pain and suffering
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.
Why Dog Bite Victims in Maine Choose Mann Law
- We Apply Maine’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law to Your Advantage: Maine law holds dog owners liable regardless of prior incidents or knowledge of aggression. Mann Law uses this statute to build straightforward, evidence-supported claims.
- We Handle All Forms of Dog Attack Injuries: From puncture wounds and nerve damage to serious disfigurement, Mann Law pursues compensation for the full range of physical and emotional harm caused by dog bites.
- We Represent Dog Bite Victims Across Cumberland County, Penobscot County, and All of Maine: Our attorneys serve clients in Portland, Bangor, Augusta, Lewiston, and every corner of the state, holding negligent dog owners accountable.
- Free Case Review with No Upfront Attorney Fees: You owe us nothing unless we win. Contact Mann Law today for a free, confidential review of your dog bite case.
Who is Responsible when a Dog Bites Someone?
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 Statute
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:
- The animal injured the person, damaged the person’s property, or both, and
- The injury or damage was not the fault of the injured person.
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.
Do I Need a Maine Lawyer for a Canine Attack?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maine’s dog bite law?
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.
What damages can I recover after a dog bite in Maine?
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.
Can a child’s dog bite case be handled differently in Maine?
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.
What if the dog that bit me was owned by a neighbor or family friend in Maine?
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.
Local Resources in Maine
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.
Animal Control & Reporting
- Maine Animal Control – Portland Animal Refuge League – 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. Visit Website
- Bangor Animal Control – 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. Visit Website
- Local Town/City Animal Control Officers – 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. Find Your Local Officer
Accident Reports & Records
- Maine Animal Welfare Program – Dangerous Dog Records – 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) Visit Website
- Maine Courts – Civil Case Lookup – Search civil case filings and court dates for dog bite injury claims filed in Maine Superior and District Courts. Visit Website
Medical & Emergency Care
- MaineGeneral Medical Center – Augusta – 35 Medical Center Pkwy, Augusta, ME 04330. Full-service hospital with emergency services for animal attack victims in Kennebec County. Visit Website
Urgent Care & Wound Treatment
- MaineHealth GoHealth Urgent Care – Immediate wound care, tetanus updates, and specialist referrals for dog bite victims across Maine who do not require emergency department treatment. Find a Location
Maine Dog Bite Law & Owner Liability Resources
- Maine Dog Bite Statute – Title 7 § 3961 – 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. View Statute
- On-Property vs. Off-Property Distinction – 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. View Statute
- Maine Dangerous Dog Law – Title 7 § 3907 – 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. View Statute
- Maine Comparative Negligence – Title 14 § 156 – 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. View Statute
- Maine Statute of Limitations – Title 14 § 752 – 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. View Statute
- Maine Rabies Information – CDC & Maine CDC – 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. Visit Maine CDC
Insurance Resources
- Maine Bureau of Insurance – 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. Visit Website
- Maine BMV – Insurance Verification – 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. Visit Website
Mental Health & Support
- MaineHealth Behavioral Health – 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. Visit Website
- Maine Crisis Line – 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 . Visit Website
- SAMHSA National Helpline – Free, confidential, 24/7 mental health and substance use treatment referral and information. Call 1-800-662-4357. Visit Website
Call a Maine Dog Bite Attorney for Help
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.
