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Saint John Dog Bite Lawyers

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Published: July 19, 2021 | Last Reviewed: August 7, 2026

When someone else’s dog attacks another person, the resulting scars can be physical, psychological, and permanent. In Saint John, even dogs with no history of aggressive or hostile behaviour towards humans have been known to attack. The physical and emotional injuries dogs inflict on people may haunt the victims of an attack for the rest of their lives.

In some cases, dog attacks can end in tragic fatalities. Toddlers and small children are especially at risk of losing their lives to aggressive, biting dogs. If a dog’s owner fails to take precautions to keep children and adults safe from their pet, their negligence could cause family members to lose their loved ones in an unspeakably violent and senseless tragedy.

The survivors of dog attacks may suffer infection, disfigurement, and other serious medical conditions. In Saint John, common physical injuries resulting from dog attacks include:

  • Scarring
  • Broken or fractured bones
  • Muscular damage
  • Rabies
  • Tetanus
  • Sepsis
  • Endocarditis
  • Meningitis
  • Sprains and strains
  • Musculoskeletal injuries
  • And more

People who have been bitten, mauled, or otherwise attacked by a vicious dog often develop psychological trauma in addition to their physical injuries. As a result, dog bite survivors may acquire disabling mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and extreme phobias, as well as sleep disorders and panic attacks. In the aftermath of a dog attack, victims coping with their newly developed psychological distress may require extensive– and expensive– psychiatric treatment.

As a result of the physical and psychological damages sustained in dog attacks, injured Saint John residents may find it difficult to keep up with their newly acquired costs. If the injuries they have sustained make it impossible for them to return to the workplace, survivors of dog attacks and their families may experience serious financial hardships.

If you were the victim of a dog attack and sustained injuries as a result, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Our dog bite lawyers serving Saint John may be able to help you file a civil claim to recover damages you have incurred because of your injuries.

Each municipality in the province has its own bylaws governing dog bites. Because of this, determining liability in the aftermath of a dog attack can be challenging. Depending on where the attack took place, dog bite victims pursuing accountability and restitution may face different outcomes.

However, in Saint John, if a dog’s owner failed to take precautions to keep others from being injured in an attack, they may be considered negligent and, therefore, liable for damages resulting from a victim’s injuries. Even if their dog had no previous history of violence and never gave them reason to be concerned about its behaviour around people, the owner who failed to prevent the attack may be required to compensate attack victims for injuries their dog caused them to sustain.

Free Consultation for Saint John Residents – We Don’t Get Paid Unless We Win

To learn if you may be eligible to pursue legal action against the negligent owner of a dog who injured you in an attack, schedule a free, initial consultation with our Saint John dog bite lawyers.

During this cost-free, no obligation, initial meeting, our dog bite lawyers serving Saint John may be able to review the circumstances of your attack and advise you of options for financial recovery that may be available to you. To learn more, contact Preszler Injury lawyers today.

Authored by Preszler Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury Law Firm

Preszler Injury Lawyers represents injured people across Ontario in personal injury matters, including motor vehicle accident claims, slip and fall claims, long-term disability claims, and institutional abuse claims.

Proudly Canadian

Award Winning Personal Injury Law Firm

We are proud to be one of Canada’s oldest and long-standing personal injury law firms. Since 1959, we have been providing exceptional legal services and have established ourselves as leading personal injury lawyers in the Canadian legal community. It’s not just the awards that recognize our achievements, but also the wins we’ve achieved for thousands of Canadians with their dog bite claims.

Case Results

dog bite Settlements

Please note that past results are not indicative of future results as each scenario presents itself with its unique set of circumstances. But here are some dog bite related wins we’ve had for our clients.

Settlement

Dog Bite

$900,000

An individual was riding his bicycle in a park where a dog ran towards him and struck him. The individual fell off his bike and sustained serious brain injuries.

Settlement

Dog Bite

$900,000

Dog Attack. Client Injuries: Head injury and cognitive issues

dog bite FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions for dog bite claims

You may have a claim if a dog owner or another responsible person failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack. Liability can depend on factors such as the dog’s previous behaviour, the owner’s knowledge, how the animal was controlled, and the circumstances of the incident. A lawyer can investigate what happened and determine whether you may be entitled to compensation.

Not necessarily. Evidence that a dog previously acted aggressively can help establish that its owner knew about the danger, but a prior bite is not the only way to prove liability. A claim may also be based on negligence—for example, if the owner failed to restrain or supervise the dog when a reasonable person would have done so.

Depending on your injuries and circumstances, compensation may be available for pain and suffering, lost income, treatment expenses, rehabilitation costs, scarring, psychological trauma, and future care needs. The value of a claim depends on the evidence and the attack’s short- and long-term effects.

Nova Scotia’s general limitation period is often two years from the date a claim is discovered, but exceptions and different deadlines may apply. Because evidence can disappear and limitation issues can be complicated, it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

Preszler Injury Lawyers handles eligible dog bite claims on a contingency-fee basis. This generally means you do not pay legal fees upfront, and legal fees are collected only if compensation is recovered for you. During a free initial consultation, we can explain the fee arrangement, potential expenses, and how costs would be handled in your case.

A dog bite lawyer can investigate the attack, identify the responsible parties, gather evidence about the dog’s behaviour, obtain medical documentation, and calculate your losses. Your lawyer can also communicate with insurers, negotiate on your behalf, and pursue legal action when necessary—all while protecting your rights and applicable deadlines.

Read More FAQs

Bitten or Attacked by a Dog in Saint John?

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