What Happens If My Dog Bites Someone in Illinois?

“If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby.”

This means that to prove that the owner of a dog, or other animals, that has bitten is liable for the bite, the injured party must prove three things:

• The dog or other animal attempted to attack, attacked, or injured the victim.
• The victim had the legal right to be in the place where the attack occurred.
• The dog or other animal was not in any way provoked into attacking.

If your dog was four months of age or older, they are required by law to be vaccinated for rabies. If they were not, you can be fined. The only exception to this rule is if a licensed veterinarian has deemed your dog too sick to be vaccinated. The dog must visit the veterinarian yearly and receive vaccination as soon as it is healthy enough to receive it.

All dogs that have bitten someone must remain in quarantine for 10 days to determine if they are rabid. Depending on the circumstances of the attack and the rabies vaccine status for the dog, this quarantine may be done at home or in a licensed veterinarian’s office or state facility.

It is unlawful for the dog owner to hide the dog, sell it, give it away, dispose of, or euthanize it until it has been examined and released by the state. The first time a dog owner violates this law, they will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. Any subsequent violations will be considered a Class 4 felony.

If after an investigation it is determined that your dog is vicious, the courts have decided that the dog is especially dangerous to the general public. You will be required to do the following if you intend on keeping your dog:

• Have the dog spayed or neutered within 10 days;
• Pay a $100 public safety fine;
• Keep the dog behind a minimum 6-foot high fence;
• Keep the dog on your premises at all times unless the dog needs to see a vet, is in immediate danger due to a natural disaster, or a court order;
• When the dog leaves your property, they must be muzzled and kept on no longer than a six-foot leash.
• If your dog is running loose after a vicious dog designation, the dog will be impounded and could be euthanized.

If your dog is deemed dangerous, you will have to follow similar requirements, including:

• Pay a $50 public safety fine;
• Spay or neuter your dog within 14 days;
• Microchip the dog;
• Have the dog evaluated, trained, or treated by a certified behaviorist;
• Keep the dog muzzled and leashed when off your property.

If these requirements are not met, the state can impound your dog and have it euthanized.

It is important that any dog owner ensures that their dog is properly cared for, socialized, trained, and does not pose a threat to public safety. If your dog bites someone in Illinois, you are responsible for any injuries or damages they may have caused.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite attack, we at Mike Agruss Law are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses, and this includes working on your behalf to ensure a favorable settlement.

We at Mike Agruss Law are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, including when you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite attack, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at what we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at Mike Agruss Law, we put People, First.

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at [email protected] or schedule a meeting with us. We’re here 24/7.