Understanding the Injuries, Prevention, and Your Legal Rights

A dog bite can drastically alter a person’s life. Knowing your rights is critical when a dog bite occurs. Although dogs are known as “Man’s Best Friend” in certain situations, unfamiliar dogs can be extremely dangerous.

At The de la Garza Law Group, our dog bite lawyer Houston law firm in Texas will work with you to determine who is responsible for your injuries. Insurance companies may not be easy to work with in situations like this and is why our dog bite lawyer Houston law firm will work for your best interest.

Every year in Houston, TX, people are bitten or attacked by dogs. These incidents can happen in an instant—in your own front yard, at a neighbor’s home, in a public park, or even while delivering a package. While many dogs are loyal companions, even a seemingly friendly dog can cause severe harm if it is unrestrained and becomes frightened, territorial, or aggressive. Dog attacks often lead to painful, lasting injuries and emotional trauma that victims never forget.

At The de la Garza Law Group, we understand how devastating a dog attack can be. Our legal team has represented victims throughout Texas who have suffered serious injuries caused by negligent dog owners. This page explains some of the types of injuries dog attacks cause, how to avoid being injured, and what steps to take immediately after an attack to protect your health and your legal rights.

The Nature and Severity of Dog Bite Injuries

Dog attacks vary widely in severity—from minor bites to catastrophic injuries—but all require attention and documentation. Dogs have strong jaws and sharp teeth designed to tear flesh and muscle, which can result in significant physical damage. In some cases, victims also suffer from crush injuries or bone fractures when large dogs knock them to the ground.

Common physical injuries include:

1. Puncture wounds and lacerations. Dog teeth can penetrate deeply, leaving wounds prone to infection. Even small punctures can carry bacteria that lead to serious complications like cellulitis or sepsis if untreated.
2. Crush injuries and fractures. Large or muscular breeds like Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds can exert tremendous force. Victims often suffer broken bones in the hands, arms, or legs as they try to protect themselves.
3. Nerve and tendon damage. Bites to the arms, legs, or face can sever nerves or tendons, causing loss of mobility, sensation, or chronic pain.
4. Facial disfigurement and scarring. Children are especially vulnerable to facial injuries because dogs often bite at head level. These wounds may require reconstructive surgery and can leave lasting emotional scars.
5. Infections and diseases. Dog bites can transmit bacteria like Pasteurella and Capnocytophaga, and in rare cases, rabies. Immediate medical care and vaccinations are essential.
6. Psychological trauma. Many victims experience anxiety, nightmares, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children, in particular, may develop long-term fear of animals or social anxiety after an attack.

Dog attacks are not “accidents.” They often result from an owner’s negligence—failure to properly care for and train the dog in the first place, and then failure to restrain the animal, ignoring leash laws, or allowing a dangerous dog to roam freely.

Why Dog Attacks Happen

While any dog can bite under the wrong circumstances, certain factors increase the likelihood of aggression:

• Poor training or lack of socialization. Dogs that are not accustomed to people or other animals may react fearfully and lash out.
• Negligent supervision. Leaving dogs unattended in public areas or around children is a common cause of serious bites.
• Protective or territorial behavior. Dogs may attack to guard food, property, or their owners.
• Pain or illness. An injured or sick dog may bite unexpectedly.
• Provocation or surprise. Sudden movements, loud noises, or approaching a dog while it’s eating or sleeping can trigger instinctive aggression.

In Texas, dog owners have a legal duty to act responsibly. When they fail to use reasonable care to control their dogs and someone is injured when the dog attacks them, the owner(s) can be held liable for the victim’s medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain, physical impairment, mental anguish, and disfigurement.

How to Avoid Dog Attacks

Prevention is always the best defense. Understanding canine behavior and using caution around unfamiliar dogs can greatly reduce your risk of injury.

Safety tips to help you avoid being bitten:

1. Stay calm and still. If you encounter an unfamiliar dog, avoid sudden movements or eye contact. Stand still and let the dog sniff you before backing away slowly.
2. Do not approach chained or confined dogs. These dogs often feel trapped and are more likely to bite.
3. Ask before petting. Always ask the owner for permission to pet a dog—and let the dog see and sniff your hand first.
4. Never tease or provoke. Do not bother dogs while they are eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies.
5. Teach children dog safety. Children should never approach a dog without an adult, run from a dog, or hug a strange animal.
6. Secure your own pets. Keep your dogs leashed in public and properly fenced at home to prevent them from causing harm.

If a dog begins to show signs of aggression—growling, stiff posture, raised hackles—stay calm. Do not scream or run. Slowly back away, keeping the dog in your peripheral vision until you reach a safe distance.

What to Do If You Are Attacked by a Dog

If you are bitten or attacked by a dog, taking the right steps can protect both your health and your legal rights.

1. Seek medical attention immediately. Even if the wound seems minor, see a doctor. Dog bites can cause deep tissue damage and infection that isn’t visible on the surface.
2. Identify the dog and owner. Get the dog owner’s name, address, and proof of rabies vaccination. If you don’t know the owner, contact animal control immediately.
3. Report the attack. File a report with your local animal control or police department. This creates an official record that can be crucial for your legal case.
4. Document your injuries. Take photos of the wounds, torn clothing, and the scene of the attack. Keep copies of all medical records and bills.
5. Gather witness information. If anyone saw the attack, get their names and contact information.
6. Avoid contact with the dog owner’s insurance company. They may try to minimize your claim or get you to settle quickly. Always speak with an attorney before signing anything.
7. Contact a Texas personal injury lawyer. Dog bite cases can be complex. A knowledgeable attorney will investigate the incident, determine liability, and pursue full compensation on your behalf.

Texas Law and Dog Attack Liability

In Texas, a dog owner may be held liable if they fail to use ordinary care to restrain their dog, and, a result of that failure, the dog causes injury. Several causes of action, including strict liability, negligence, and gross negligence, can be brought in Texas for damages resulting from a dog attack.

Strict Liability.  A dog attack victim can sue the dog’s owner for strict liability for injury by a dangerous dog. The owner or possessor of the dog would be liable to the victim if they own or possess a dog that had dangerous propensities abnormal to its class, if they knew or had reason to know that the dog had dangerous propensities, and if the dog’s dangerous propensities were the producing cause of the victim’s injuries.  See Marshall v. Ranne, 511 S.W.2d 255, 258-59 (Tex. 1974); Bolton v. Fisher, 528 S.W.3d 770, 777 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2017, pet. denied).

Negligence.  A dog attack victim can sue the dog’s owner for negligence (negligent handling of an animal). The victim would need to prove that the person they sued owned or possessed the attacking dog, that the owner/possessor owed a duty to exercise reasonable care to prevent the dog from injuries others, that the owner/possessor breached that duty, and that the owner/possessor’s breach proximately caused the victim’s injury.  See Marshall v. Ranne, 511 S.W.2d 255, 258-59 (Tex. 1974); Johnson v. Enriquez, 460 S.W.3d 669, 675 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2015, no pet.)

Negligence per se. A dog attack victim can also sue the dog’s owner for negligent per se, where the dog owner violated an applicable statute or ordinance, such as a local leash law, an ordinance regulating the restraint of dogs.

Certain statutes and ordinances may apply.  For example, the Texas Dangerous Dog Act (found at Tex. Health & Safety Code, Ch. 822) is a state law that provides a legal process for designating a dog as dangerous, primarily based on its actions, and imposes strict requirements on the owner. A dog can be declared dangerous if it makes an unprovoked attack on a person causing bodily injury or commits unprovoked acts that cause a person to reasonably fear they will be attacked and injured. Owners of dangerous dogs must register the dog, maintain liability insurance, and keep the dog leashed or in a secure enclosure, or face penalties.

Additionally, Texas cities and counties often have their own leash laws and dangerous dog ordinances. Violating these local laws can strengthen your claim for damages. For example, if the dog attack occurs in Houston, here are some City of Houston ordinances that may apply:

1. City of Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Article I, Division 2, Sections 6-3 (Owners responsibility for animals at large), 6-4 (Running at large of domestic animals prohibited);

2. City of Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Article IV, Division 3, Section  6-101, (running at large prohibited);

3. City of Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Article VI, Section 6-154 (requiring that the owner of a dangerous dog muzzle and restrain the dangerous dog on a leash and within the direct physical control of a person capable of controlling the dog while the dog was is not in a secure enclosure.

In Texas, victims of dog attacks may sue for compensation for the following categories of personal injury damages:

• Medical expenses
• Loss of earning capacity
• Physical pain
• Physical impairment
• Mental anguish
• Disfigurement

When a Dog Attack is Fatal.  In the tragic case of death resulting from a dog attack in Texas, the spouse, children, and parents of the deceased victim may sue under the Texas Wrongful Death Statute for wrongful death damages, including loss of advice and counsel, loss of services, loss of companionship and society, loss of inheritance, and mental anguish.  And an authorized representative of the estate of the deceased victim may sue under Texas Survival Statute for the damages allowed under that statute, which include the physical pain and mental anguish suffered by the deceased as a result of the attack before they died, their medical expenses and funeral expenses.  

An experienced personal injury lawyer can help value of your damages and fight for the justice you deserve.

Why Trust Our Dog Bite Lawyer Houston, TX Law Firm

A dog attack can turn a normal day into a lifetime of pain and anguish. At The de la Garza Law Group, we stand up for Texans who have suffered because of someone else’s negligence. Whether the attack occurred in a public place, at a friend’s home, or on the owner’s property, we’ll work tirelessly to investigate the case, hold the responsible parties accountable, and secure the compensation you need to move forward.  If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, don’t wait. Evidence can disappear quickly, and insurance companies may act fast to protect their interests. Let us protect yours with our experienced dog bite lawyer Houston team.

Contact us today online or call The de la Garza Law Group today at 713-784-1010 for a free, no-obligation consultation. You don’t pay unless we win your case.