Syracuse Dog Bite Injury
Lawyers

A dog bite happens in a second, but the harm can last a long time. Deep puncture wounds, infections, nerve damage, and scars that never fully fade are all common, and the fear that lingers afterward can be just as hard to live with. If a dog hurt you or your child in Syracuse, a dog bite injury lawyer at Catalano Law can explain your rights and handle the legal side while you focus on healing.

Peter Catalano has helped injured people across Central New York for over 25 years, and our firm backs every case with the No Fee Guarantee®. You pay nothing unless we win your case. Call our premises liability lawyers at Catalano Law for a free consultation, day or night.

How New York’s Dog Bite Laws Work

New York law generally provides two potential paths for holding a dog owner responsible for an attack. Depending on the circumstances, an injured person may pursue one or both types of claims.

One option is strict liability. To succeed under this theory, you generally must show that the dog had vicious propensities and that the owner knew or should have known about them. A prior bite is not required. Growling, lunging, snapping, or previous complaints may help show that the owner had reason to know the dog posed a danger.

You may also bring an ordinary negligence claim. In Flanders v. Goodfellow, New York’s highest court held that a dog owner can be liable for failing to use reasonable care under the circumstances, even without proof that the dog previously displayed vicious propensities.

Proving a Dog Owner Knew Their Dog Was Dangerous

One key question in many dog bite claims is whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Proving it takes evidence that often disappears within days of an attack.

Signs that a dog had vicious propensities include:

• Prior Bites or Attacks: Past incidents involving people or other animals
• Aggressive Behavior: Growling, lunging, snapping, or baring teeth before the attack
• Warning Signs and Restraints: A muzzle, a “Beware of Dog” sign, or a reinforced enclosure can show the owner knew there was a risk.
• Past Complaints: Reports neighbors made to Animal Control or the landlord about the dog

We can investigate for you, pulling Animal Control and health department records, finding neighbors who saw the dog act aggressively, and gathering prior bite reports before they are gone. The sooner this starts, the stronger your case can be.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Dog Attack

The dog’s owner is the obvious place to start, but they may not be the only party who owes you compensation. Depending on where the attack happened and who controlled the dog, more than one person or business may share responsibility.

Parties who may be liable include:

• Dog Owners: Owners are responsible when they fail to control or restrain a dog they knew could be dangerous.
• Landlords: Landlords may share fault if they knew a tenant kept a dangerous dog and had the power to require its removal.
• Property Owners: A bite on someone’s property can raise a Syracuse premises liability claim if the owner knew about the danger and did nothing.
• Dog Sitters, Walkers, and Handlers: A person responsible for controlling the dog may be liable if their negligence contributed to the attack.

You can usually still recover even if you were on the owner’s property. If you were lawfully there, as a guest, delivery driver, or worker, the location does not erase your right to file a claim. Trespassing or provoking the dog can affect a claim, but being a welcome visitor does not.

Injuries and Damages You May Be Able to Recover

Dog bites cause more than the wound you can see. Infections, nerve and muscle damage, and permanent scarring are common, and the emotional toll can last long after the skin heals. New York law lets you seek compensation for both your financial losses and the personal impact of the attack.

Economic damages cover measurable costs, such as:

• Medical Treatment: Emergency care, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits
• Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery: Scar revision and cosmetic procedures, which can be substantial for facial injuries
• Lost Income: Wages you missed while recovering, plus reduced earning capacity if the injury affects your ability to work
• Future Care: Ongoing treatment, physical therapy, and rehabilitation

Non-economic damages cover harm that does not come with a receipt: physical pain, permanent scarring or disfigurement, and the emotional distress or fear of dogs that often follows an attack. There is no fixed formula, and you may be entitled to compensation that reflects how the injury has changed your daily life.

When a Child Is Bitten by a Dog

Children are among the most frequent dog bite victims, and their injuries are often worse than an adult’s. Because of their height, kids are commonly bitten on the face, head, and neck, which can mean stitches, surgery, and lasting scars. Many of these bites come from a dog the family knows, like a neighbor’s or relative’s pet.

If your child was bitten, you can bring a claim on their behalf, and New York gives families extra time. The filing deadline is generally paused until the child turns 18, though acting sooner helps preserve evidence. Our team handles these cases with care, and we can guide you through a Syracuse child injury claim so your family can focus on your child’s recovery.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Syracuse

The steps you take in the hours and days after a bite protect both your health and any claim you may have.

• Get medical care. Syracuse has strong emergency resources, including the Level I trauma center at Upstate University Hospital, plus St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center and Crouse Hospital. Prompt care addresses infection and rabies risk and documents your injuries.
• Report the bite. Notify Onondaga County Animal Control and the local health department so the incident and the dog’s history go on record.
• Identify the dog and owner. Get the owner’s name and contact information, and ask whether the dog is vaccinated.
• Document everything. Photograph your injuries, the location, and the dog if you can, and save any torn clothing.
• Talk to a lawyer before the insurer. An adjuster may call quickly, and an experienced attorney can help you avoid statements that hurt your claim.

Off-leash dogs are a frequent problem in busy public spaces, from Thornden Park to the sidewalks of Tipperary Hill, where leash laws still apply. Note where a bite happened while the details are fresh.

How Long You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in New York State

In New York, you generally have three years from the date of the bite to file a dog bite lawsuit, under CPLR § 214(5). Miss that deadline and you can lose the right to recover, no matter how serious the injury.

Some situations change the timeline. If your child was bitten, the deadline is usually paused until they turn 18. If a government entity is involved, you may have to file a notice of claim within 90 days under General Municipal Law § 50-e. Talking to a lawyer early helps you avoid missing a deadline that applies to your case.

How Dog Bite Claims Get Paid

Many dog-bite claims are covered by homeowners or renters insurance, although coverage depends on the policy and circumstances. This means that pursuing a claim often does not mean going after a friend, a neighbor, or a family member personally.

Insurance companies still look for reasons to pay less, questioning how the bite happened, who controlled the dog, or how serious your injuries really are. Having a lawyer handle those conversations levels the field. When you are ready, contact Catalano Law to talk through your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most often from people bitten by a dog in Syracuse.

Does New York Have a One-Bite Rule for Dog Owners?

Not in the strict sense it once did. You can still recover by showing the dog had vicious propensities the owner knew or should have known about, and a prior bite is not required. Since 2025, you can also bring a negligence claim when an owner failed to use reasonable care, even without proof the dog was dangerous before.

Can I Recover My Medical Bills if the Dog Never Bit Anyone Before?

Possibly. A dog’s lack of prior aggression does not necessarily prevent you from recovering compensation. Under New York law, you may be able to pursue a negligence claim by showing that the owner failed to use reasonable care, even if the dog had not previously displayed vicious propensities.

What if I Was Bitten on the Dog Owner’s Property?

You can usually still file a claim. If you were lawfully on the property, such as a guest or a worker, the location of the bite does not take away your right to seek compensation. Provoking the dog or trespassing can affect a claim, so it helps to have a lawyer review the details.

My Child Was Bitten by a Neighbor’s Dog. What Should I Do?

Get your child medical care first, then report the bite to Onondaga County Animal Control. You can bring a claim on your child’s behalf, and most of these claims are paid through the neighbor’s homeowners insurance rather than by the neighbor directly. New York also pauses the filing deadline for children, but acting early helps protect the case.

Can I Get Compensation for Emotional Distress After a Dog Attack?

Yes. Emotional distress, anxiety, and a lasting fear of dogs are recognized non-economic damages in New York dog bite cases. They are common after an attack, especially for children, and can be claimed alongside your physical injuries.

Will a Dog Bite Claim Cover Plastic Surgery or Scar Revision?

It can. The cost of reconstructive and plastic surgery, including scar revision, is part of the medical damages you may recover. Facial scarring is a common reason for these procedures, and future surgeries can be factored into your claim.

What if the Dog That Bit Me Was Off-Leash in a Syracuse Park?

The owner may still be responsible. Syracuse leash laws apply in public areas, and a dog running loose in places like Thornden Park can support a claim against the owner. Note where the bite happened and report it, since that information helps establish liability.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer?

Nothing up front. Catalano Law works on a contingency basis under the No Fee Guarantee, so you pay nothing unless we win your case. A consultation is always free.

Talk to a Syracuse Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Today.

A serious dog bite can leave you facing medical bills, missed work, and an injury that changes how you feel around dogs. You do not have to sort it out alone. The premises liability lawyers at Catalano Law can investigate what happened, identify everyone who may be responsible, and pursue the compensation you may be owed.

Peter Catalano and our team have served Central New York for decades, and we are available 24/7 to take your call. Contact Catalano Law for a free consultation. With the No Fee Guarantee®, you pay nothing unless we win your case. Catalano Wins!