Dog Bites and Liability

Several weeks ago, a Denver news anchor was bitten in the face by a dog that was being featured on the show with its owner. Here are some other headlines from online news outlets in the past week:

• Baby injured in El Paso County pit bull attack
• Pit-bull attack: Woman's leg, arm amputated
• Baby death by dog spurs warning for pet-owning parents

Dog attacks are quite common and can be fatal or cause serious, disfiguring injuries.  There were reports that the news anchor lost part of her lip and had over 75 stitches to her face.  

In most cases of a dog attack or bite, the owner is likely to be liable under either Pennsylvania or New Jersey law.  However, other parties may bear liability:

• dog breeders,
• dog trainers,
• veterinarians,
• landlords,
• any person or business entity who had a duty to warn of a dog's dangerous tendencies.