Dog Bite Laws in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Request a Free ConsultationThe dog’s owner rushes over, their face a mix of shock and apology, and says the words you are almost certain to hear: “I am so sorry! He has never done that before.” In that moment, your pain and fear are compounded by confusion.
You believe them. It probably was the first time. But does that matter? Does the dog’s history, or lack thereof, absolve the owner of responsibility for the injury they have just inflicted upon you or your child?
In the bi-state region of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the answer to that critical question depends entirely on which side of the Delaware River you were standing when the bite occurred. New Jersey dog bite lawyer representation can help you understand how state laws differ and what that means for your claim.
The laws are not just different; they are fundamentally opposed in their approach to owner responsibility. This geographic lottery can be the single most important factor in your ability to recover compensation for your injuries.
An owner’s apology means little when their insurance company’s lawyers get involved. You need an advocate who commands the law in both states.
Key takeaways
- The location of a dog bite is the most critical factor in your claim. New Jersey and Pennsylvania have dramatically different laws regarding an owner’s liability.
- New Jersey is a “strict liability” state. This means a dog owner is responsible for bite injuries even if the dog has never shown any previous signs of aggression.
- Pennsylvania law is more complex, often requiring a victim to prove the owner knew (or should have known) of the dog’s dangerous propensities to recover full compensation beyond medical bills.
- Regardless of the state, your legal status on the property (i.e., not trespassing) and whether you provoked the animal are key elements of your case.
The Geographic Lottery: Why the Location of a Dog Bite Changes Everything
Imagine two identical incidents. In one, a person is bitten while visiting a friend’s home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. In the other, a person is bitten under the same circumstances at a friend’s home just across the bridge in South Philadelphia. What you need to know is that the injuries and medical bills may be the same, but the legal paths to justice are completely different.
The injuries and medical bills are the same, but the legal paths to justice are completely different. This is because New Jersey and Pennsylvania have taken opposite stances on balancing the rights of bite victims with the responsibilities of dog owners.
One state places the burden squarely on the owner, while the other often places a higher burden of proof on the victim.
New Jersey’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law: A Shield for Victims
New Jersey has made a clear policy decision to favor the protection of its citizens over the protection of dog owners. The state has adopted a “strict liability” statute for dog bites, one of the country’s strongest pro-victim laws.
What is strict liability?
In most personal injury cases, a victim must prove the other person was negligent. In the context of a New Jersey dog bite, strict liability removes that requirement. The law makes the owner responsible for the bite regardless of whether they were careless or knew their dog was dangerous.
The owner’s knowledge of the dog’s past behavior is legally irrelevant to establishing their basic responsibility. The old excuse, “he’s never done this before,” is not a legal defense in New Jersey.
This legal principle is a powerful tool for victims. It simplifies the core legal question and focuses the case on the harm that was done, rather than on the dog’s history. The law is designed to place the financial risk of dog ownership on the person who chooses to own the animal.
The two things you must prove in New Jersey
While the owner’s knowledge is not an issue, you still must prove two key elements to win your case under the strict liability statute. Laws in New Jersey make it clear that a legal team builds your case by gathering the evidence needed to establish these two facts.
Under New Jersey’s law, your case must be built on a foundation of clear and convincing evidence. The two primary elements we are required to prove are:
- That the defendant is the owner of the dog. This is usually straightforward but can become complicated if the dog was in the care of a kennel, a dog walker, or another non-owner.
- That the bite occurred while you were on public property or lawfully on private property. This means you were not trespassing at the time of the incident.
Once these two elements are proven, the owner is held legally responsible for the damages their dog caused. The focus of the case then shifts from proving fault to proving the full extent of your injuries and financial losses.
Citing the Law: N.J.S.A. 4:19-16
The foundation for this legal protection is found in the New Jersey state statutes. The law, N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, explicitly states: “The owner of any dog which shall bite a person… shall be liable for such damages as may be suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.”
Defenses to a strict liability claim
Even under New Jersey’s strong law, an owner’s insurance company will try to use two primary defenses to avoid responsibility: trespassing and provocation. They will conduct an investigation to see if they can argue that you were on the property without permission or that you did something to incite the dog to attack.
Pennsylvania’s Dog Law: A More Complex Path for Victims
Pennsylvania law presents a more challenging legal landscape for dog bite victims. While the state has moved away from a pure, traditional “one-bite rule,” its modern statute still creates different tiers of liability and often places a higher burden of proof on the injured person, especially when it comes to recovering full compensation. Damages available depend on how well your case proves negligence, the dog’s history, and the extent of your injuries.
Pennsylvania’s Modified “One-Bite Rule”
Historically, the “one-bite rule” meant a dog owner was not liable for the first time their dog bit someone, unless the victim could prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Pennsylvania’s current law, found in the state’s Dog Law, has modified this, but the dog’s history and the owner’s knowledge remain critically important.
The critical distinction: Medical bills vs. “other damages”
The most significant complexity in Pennsylvania law is how it separates compensation. The statute creates two different standards of proof for two different types of damages:
- Medical costs: If you are bitten and suffer a “severe injury,” the dog owner is held liable for your medical costs regardless of the dog’s history. A “severe injury” is defined as any physical injury that results in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery.
- Other damages (Pain and suffering, lost wages): To recover compensation for anything beyond your medical bills, you often must prove more. In many cases, you must prove that the owner was negligent or that they knew their dog had dangerous propensities. This is where the shadow of the one-bite rule still looms large.
Proving the Owner Knew the Dog Was Dangerous
This is the central battle in many Pennsylvania dog bite cases. Know your rights because a skilled legal team must conduct a deep investigation to uncover evidence that the owner knew, or reasonably should have known, their dog was a risk.
We build a case to prove an owner’s knowledge of their dog’s dangerous tendencies. This requires a thorough investigation to uncover any and all evidence of past aggression. This investigation may include:
- Interviewing neighbors about the dog’s past behavior.
- Searching for prior complaints made to local police or animal control.
- Discovering evidence of the dog being chained, muzzled, or kept in a “Beware of Dog” enclosure.
- Finding out if the dog was a breed that the owner’s insurance company deemed high-risk.
This evidence becomes the foundation of your case for full compensation, including damages for your pain, suffering, and emotional trauma. Without this proof, your recovery could be limited to only your medical bills.
Negligence and “Negligence Per Se”
An alternate path to full recovery in Pennsylvania is to prove the owner was negligent. This means showing the owner failed to use reasonable care to control their dog.
This is especially powerful if the owner violated a local ordinance, such as a leash law. This violation is called “negligence per se” and can be used as direct evidence of the owner’s carelessness.
Beyond the Bite: Common Injuries and Long-Term Consequences
A dog bite is not just a simple wound; it is a traumatic event that can cause a lifetime of physical and emotional harm. Accidents in New Jersey often involve severe injuries like crushed bones, torn tissue, and lasting trauma caused by the force of a dog’s jaw.
Physical scars and disfigurement
Dog bites, especially to the face, arms, and hands, frequently result in significant scarring. For children, a facial scar can be a source of lifelong psychological trauma, social anxiety, and may require multiple painful revision surgeries.
Nerve damage and infection
Puncture wounds from dogs’ teeth can damage underlying nerves, leading to chronic pain, numbness, or a loss of function in the affected area. These wounds also carry a high risk of bacterial infection, such as cellulitis or capnocytophaga, which can lead to serious complications if not treated immediately.
Psychological Trauma and PTSD
The violence of a dog attack can leave deep emotional scars. Many victims, particularly children, develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a debilitating fear of dogs (cynophobia), and may suffer from nightmares, anxiety, and depression for years after the physical wounds have healed.
FAQ for Dog Bite Laws in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Can I sue if a dog knocked me down and injured me but did not bite me?
Yes. This is a crucial distinction. The “strict liability” law in New Jersey and the specific dog bite statute in Pennsylvania apply to bites.
If a large dog jumps on you and causes you to fall and break your arm, the case would proceed under general negligence principles in both states. We would need to prove the owner was careless in failing to control their dog.
What if the dog’s owner is a friend, neighbor, or family member?
This is a very common and emotionally difficult situation. It is important to remember that the claim is not truly against your friend or relative; it is against their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy.
These policies exist specifically to cover these types of incidents. We can often handle the entire claim directly with the insurance company in a professional manner that preserves your personal relationship.
Are certain breeds of dogs, like pit bulls, treated differently under the law?
No. Neither New Jersey nor Pennsylvania law singles out specific breeds. The laws focus on the individual dog’s behavior and the owner’s actions, not the breed. However, a dog’s breed may be relevant in a Pennsylvania case if we can show the owner was aware of a particular breed’s potential for aggression.
How are dog bite claims usually paid?
Dog bite claims are typically covered under the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. Most standard policies provide liability coverage for injuries caused by a pet. Part of our initial investigation is to determine if the owner has a valid insurance policy in effect.
You Need an Advocate Who Commands the Law in Both States
Whether you were injured in a park in Pennsauken or Philadelphia, the legal battle that follows a serious dog bite is complex and requires a deep knowledge of the specific laws that apply.
A skilled personal injury firm knows how to build a case under either New Jersey’s victim-friendly statute or Pennsylvania’s more challenging legal framework.
We investigate the incident, gather the evidence, and construct a powerful case to secure the full compensation you need for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog, contact Grungo Law for a free consultation. We can explain which state’s law applies to your case and show you how we can help. Call our Cherry Hill office today at (856) 548-8347 or complete our online contact form.