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Video: Dog Bite Injury in Massachusetts? Don’t Make This Mistake!
June 4, 2026
Transcript
Who Is Responsible for a Dog Bite in Massachusetts?
Who is responsible for a dog bite in Massachusetts? In many cases, the dog’s owner or keeper can be responsible.
Welcome to Massachusetts Personal Injury FAQ. I’m Attorney Tracy Paulsen, founder of Rightful Legal. Every week, I answer injury questions that my clients have been asking or that I hear from calls.
Massachusetts Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bite cases can be physically painful and emotionally traumatic. They can involve puncture wounds, scarring, infection, nerve damage, fear, anxiety, and in some cases, permanent disfigurement.
Determining Legal Responsibility
Massachusetts has a specific dog bite law. In general, if a dog causes injury to a person’s body or property, the owner or keeper of the dog may be liable.
A keeper is someone who has control or care of the dog, even if that person is not the legal owner.
There are important exceptions, however. The owner or keeper may have a defense if the injured person was trespassing. They may have a defense if the injured person was committing another tort. They may also have a defense if the injured person was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog.
The One Bite Issue in Massachusetts
Massachusetts does not require every injured person to prove that the dog had bitten someone before. This is very important. Some people call this the one bite issue.
In Massachusetts, the focus often is on ownership, control, the injury, and whether any legal exception applies.
Long-Term Effects of Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bite cases are not only about the bite itself. They are also about the damage that follows after.
A child may be left with a visible scar. An adult may need stitches, surgery, or follow-up care. A person may miss work. They may develop anxiety around dogs. There may be long-term cosmetic, emotional, or medical consequences from the injury.
Why Documentation Matters
That’s why documentation is so important. Take photos of your injury and get the medical care you need. Report the dog bite when appropriate.
Identify the dog and the owner, and find out whether there were prior incidents.
Preserve any text messages, emails, witness names, and any photos or videos.
Insurance Companies May Challenge Dog Bite Claims
Do not assume the dog owner’s insurance company will treat the injury fairly just because the facts seem clear.
Insurance companies may still question the severity of the injury. They may question scarring. They may question whether the treatment was necessary. They may also question whether an exception applies.
When to Contact an Attorney
The strategy is to document the injury from the very beginning and to understand who had legal responsibility for the dog.
Dog bite cases are very serious because the harm can last a long time after the wound closes and heals.
If you have a potential case or questions about your case, you can reach me directly at 617-821-5856.
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