Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Toronto · Strict Liability
Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Toronto
Bitten or attacked by a dog? Under Ontario law the owner is strictly liable — you usually don't have to prove they were careless. We help victims recover full compensation. No win, no fee.
Ontario's Dog Owners' Liability Act — Strict Liability
Ontario is a strict-liability jurisdiction for dog bites. Under the Dog Owners' Liability Act, an owner is responsible for damage their dog causes by biting or attacking — regardless of whether the dog had ever shown aggression before. There is no "one free bite" rule in Ontario. This makes dog-bite claims more straightforward than many other injury cases: you generally do not need to prove the owner was negligent, only that their dog caused your injury.
Injuries We See in Dog Attack Cases
- Puncture wounds, lacerations and crush injuries
- Nerve and tendon damage, especially to hands and arms
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement (often the largest damages component)
- Infections, including serious complications
- Psychological trauma, anxiety and PTSD — particularly in children
Children are the most common dog-bite victims, and facial injuries and lasting emotional trauma can support significant claims.
What to Do After a Dog Bite
- Get medical care immediately — bites carry high infection risk.
- Identify the dog and owner — name, address, and the dog's vaccination status.
- Photograph your injuries and the location.
- Get witness contact information.
- Report the bite to Toronto Animal Services or your local municipality.
- Call a dog-bite lawyer before speaking with the owner's insurer.
Our dog bite claims guide explains the process in detail.
Who Pays for a Dog Bite Claim?
Most dog-bite settlements are paid by the owner's home or tenant insurance policy, which typically includes personal liability coverage. That means pursuing a claim usually does not come out of the owner's pocket directly — an important point for victims worried about suing a neighbour, friend or family member.
$50M+
Recovered
20+
Years Experience
LL.M
Osgoode Hall
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Olga Kanevsky, LL.B, LL.M · Licensed in Ontario since 2001 · Law Society of Ontario #51731A
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Whatever the cause of your injury, we handle it in-house with 20+ years of experience.
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All Practice Areas →
See everything we handle for Toronto & GTA clients.
Do I have to prove the dog was dangerous before?+
Who pays a dog bite settlement?+
What is a dog bite claim worth?+
How long do I have to make a dog bite claim in Ontario?+
What if I was partly to blame for provoking the dog?+
Related Resources
Helpful Links & Practice Areas
Explore our related practice areas and resources:
All Practice Areas
Everything we handle
Learn more →Dog Bite Law Guide
Your rights explained
Learn more →Serious Injury Claims
For catastrophic attacks
Learn more →Settlement Amounts
What claims are worth
Learn more →First Offer Too Low?
Why early offers are low
Learn more →Meet Olga Kanevsky
LL.M Osgoode · LSO #51731A
Learn more →Bitten by a Dog? The Owner Is Strictly Liable.
Free consultation. Most claims are paid by the owner's insurance — not out of pocket. No win, no fee.
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