Who Is Liable When an Unleashed Dog Bites Someone

Illinois Law Holds the Responsible Party Accountable for Dog Bites

An unleashed dog poses a serious threat to public safety. When a dog suddenly bites someone, it can cause painful injuries and lasting trauma for the injured person.

We recognize the disruption these incidents cause and are committed to holding the responsible party accountable.

Under 510 ILCS 5/ (Illinois Animal Control Act), if a dog bites or attacks a person without provocation, the dog’s owner or caretaker can be held strictly liable for the resulting harm.

This protection applies when the injured person was lawfully present, whether on public property or private property where they had permission to be. If someone was trespassing at the time of the incident, however, their right to recover damages may be limited.

Victims must also act quickly. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202 (Illinois Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury), you generally have two years from the date of the incident to pursue compensation for your losses.

Identifying the Liable Party: The “Owner” vs. The “Keeper”

Determining who is responsible when an unleashed dog bites or injures a person starts with identifying who had custody and control of the animal at the time of the attack. Under Illinois law, liability can fall on either the dog’s legal owner or a temporary caretaker, often referred to as a “keeper.”

The Dog Owner: If an owner fails to secure their pet, such as leaving a gate open or allowing the dog to roam from their private property, they can be held responsible if the dog bites a person. Illinois courts routinely hold owners liable in these situations, regardless of whether the dog has bitten before.

The Keeper: If a dog sitter, dog walker, or friend was caring for the dog and chose to let it off its leash in public, that person may be treated as the legal “keeper” and held accountable if the dog bites someone.

The Role of Local Leash Laws in Your Case

Local leash ordinances play a powerful role in proving liability when an unleashed dog injures a person. Nearly every municipality in Illinois has strict leash laws that require dogs to remain restrained in public spaces.

When a dog owner or “keeper” disregards these laws and allows a dog to run free, they create a significant risk to public safety.

If that dog then injures a person, a leash law violation is compelling evidence of negligence. We routinely rely on these ordinances to support our clients’ claims and to show that the owner or keeper failed to take basic safety precautions.

In many cases, this evidence helps ensure that the negligent party is held responsible and makes it much easier for our clients to recover the full compensation they deserve after being harmed by a dog.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Dog Bite Attorneys

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries because an unleashed dog bites someone, you should not have to face the aftermath alone. Our firm has extensive experience holding individuals, including dog owners and temporary caretakers, accountable under Illinois state law.

A Chicago dog attack lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case, identify the correct owner or “keeper,” and pursue the full compensation you deserve. Remember, you have only two years from the date of the bite to file a claim.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We are ready to fight for your rights and help you seek compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain.