Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Indiana have a one-bite rule for dogs?
No. Indiana does not automatically give a dog “one free bite” before an owner can be held responsible. A prior bite is not always required. Evidence that the owner knew about aggressive, threatening, or dangerous behavior may help establish negligence.
2. Can a dog owner be liable if the dog has never bitten anyone before?
Yes. A dog may have shown warning signs such as growling, lunging, charging a fence, or aggressive territorial behavior even if it never previously bit someone. Those behaviors can help show that the owner knew the dog posed a risk.
3. How can you prove a dog owner knew the dog was dangerous?
Evidence may come from neighbors, delivery drivers, visitors, parents, or others who witnessed the dog’s behavior before the attack. Prior complaints, close calls, aggressive incidents, and police reports may also be relevant.
4. Can an insurance company deny my dog-bite claim because I was on someone else’s property?
The insurance company may argue that you were trespassing, but being on someone else’s property does not automatically make you a trespasser. Whether you were a guest, visitor, neighbor, or someone using a common walkway can affect the analysis.
5. What should I do after a dog bite in Indiana?
Get appropriate medical care and preserve evidence. Photograph your injuries, document where the attack occurred, save relevant communications, and identify witnesses who saw the attack or knew about the dog’s prior behavior.
