Yes. Even if you were at the dog owner’s home, they’re still responsible if their dog bit you without provocation. Being on someone’s property doesn’t give their dog permission to bite you. The exception is if you were trespassing or breaking into someone’s property – then you probably can’t recover money. But if you were invited to their home, making a delivery, or legally allowed to be there, you have a valid claim under Nevada’s strict liability law
We Fight for Dog Bite Victims
Get the Money You Deserve After a Dog Attack
If a dog bit you in Las Vegas, you’re up against homeowners insurance companies and their team of lawyers who are already working to pay you as little as possible. Dog attacks cause serious injuries – deep wounds, infections, permanent scars, and lasting trauma. You need a law firm with the resources and experience to fight back and win against these insurance companies. We’re not intimidated – we take on dog bite cases every day and fight to get you every dollar you deserve for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain.
Nevada law protects dog bite victims through strict liability, which means the dog owner is responsible even if the dog never bit anyone before. Whether you were bitten by a neighbor’s dog, attacked while walking in your neighborhood, or injured by a dog at someone’s home, you have rights under Nevada law.
You have 2 years from your attack date to file a claim in Nevada. After that, you lose your right to get money – no matter how serious your injuries are.
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What Should I Do After a Dog Bite in Las Vegas?
If a dog just bit you in Las Vegas, the steps you take immediately after the attack matter for your health and your legal case. Follow these 6 critical steps right away to protect your health and your legal rights:
Step 1:
Get Away from the Dog Safely
Move to a safe location away from the dog. If the dog is still aggressive or loose, get inside a building or car. Your safety comes first.
Step 2:
Clean the Wound Immediately
Wash the bite area with soap and warm water for at least 5 minutes. Apply pressure with a clean cloth to stop bleeding. Cover the wound with a clean bandage.
Step 3:
Go to the Emergency Room or Urgent Care
Get medical help right away, even if the bite seems small. Dog bites get infected easily. You might need stitches, antibiotics, a rabies shot, or a tetanus shot. This also creates medical records proving you were bitten.
Step 4:
Get Information at the Scene
If it's safe, get the dog owner's name, phone number, and address. Ask for proof the dog has rabies vaccinations. Get names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the attack. Take photos of your injuries, the dog, torn clothing, and exactly where it happened.
Step 5:
Report the Attack to Animal Control
Call Las Vegas Animal Control at (702) 455-7710 as soon as possible. They'll create an official report, check if the dog has rabies, quarantine the dog if needed, and document if this dog has bitten before.
Step 6:
Call a Dog Bite Lawyer Before Talking to Insurance
Contact us at (702) 867-8900 before you talk to any insurance company. Don't give them a recorded statement. Don't accept any money. Don't sign anything. Let us handle all communication with insurance adjusters who are trained to pay you as little as possible.
Types of Dog Bite Injuries in Las Vegas
What are the most common types of dog bite injuries? Dog bite injuries typically fall into several categories that include puncture wounds, lacerations, facial injuries, nerve damage, infections, and psychological trauma. Each type has different severity levels, and these injuries often require immediate medical treatment and long-term care.
PUNCTURE WOUNDS
These are the most common dog bite injuries. A dog’s teeth create deep holes in your skin that may not bleed much on the surface but can cause serious damage underneath. Puncture wounds easily get infected because bacteria from the dog’s mouth gets pushed deep into your tissue. Even small puncture wounds can damage muscles, tendons, and nerves. We work with medical experts to document the full extent of puncture damage that isn’t always visible on the surface.
LACERATIONS AND TEARING
When dogs shake their heads while biting, they tear skin and muscle tissue. These injuries often require many stitches or even plastic surgery. Lacerations on the face, arms, and legs leave permanent scars that affect your appearance and confidence. Children are especially vulnerable to facial lacerations because they’re at the same height as many dogs. We help clients recover money for plastic surgery and scar revision treatments.
FACIAL INJURIES
Dogs often bite faces, especially in children. Facial bites can damage your eyes, nose, ears, lips, and cheeks. These injuries require immediate emergency care and often multiple reconstructive surgeries. Facial scars are permanent and visible, affecting your life forever. Nevada juries understand how devastating facial injuries are and award significant compensation for disfigurement and emotional trauma.
NERVE DAMAGE
Deep dog bites can sever or damage nerves, causing numbness, tingling, weakness, or complete loss of function in the affected area. Nerve damage in hands and arms can prevent you from working. Facial nerve damage can cause paralysis and difficulty eating or speaking. Nerve injuries often don’t heal completely, leaving you with permanent disabilities. We work with neurologists to prove the extent of nerve damage and future limitations.
INFECTIONS
Dog mouths contain dangerous bacteria. Even treated bites can develop serious infections like staph, strep, pasteurella, and capnocytophaga. Some infections spread to your bloodstream causing sepsis, which can be life-threatening. Rabies is rare but requires immediate treatment. Infected bites require hospitalization, IV antibiotics, and sometimes surgery to remove infected tissue. We pursue compensation for all infection-related medical costs.
BROKEN BONES
Large, powerful dogs can break bones when they bite down with extreme force. We see broken fingers, hands, arms, and facial bones from dog attacks. Broken bones require casts, surgery with pins or plates, and months of physical therapy. Some fractures don’t heal properly, leaving you with chronic pain and limited mobility. Children’s growth plates can be damaged, affecting bone development as they grow.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA
The emotional damage from a dog attack is real and compensable. Victims develop PTSD, anxiety, depression, and phobias. Many people become terrified of all dogs, not just the one that attacked them. Children have nightmares, refuse to go outside, and need years of therapy. Adults miss work due to anxiety and panic attacks. Nevada law allows you to recover money for psychological injuries, and we work with mental health professionals to document your trauma.
RABIES EXPOSURE
If the dog that bit you wasn’t vaccinated or can’t be found, you need immediate rabies shots. The rabies vaccine series is painful, expensive, and requires multiple visits. Rabies is fatal if untreated, so you can’t take chances. We hold dog owners responsible when they don’t keep vaccination records or when they hide the dog after an attack. The cost of rabies treatment is included in your compensation claim.
Nevada’s Dog Bite Law – What You Need to Know
Nevada Uses “Strict Liability” for Dog Bites
Nevada follows “strict liability” for dog bite cases. Here’s what that means in plain English: If a dog bites you, the owner is responsible. Period.
You don’t have to prove the dog was vicious or dangerous. You don’t have to prove the dog bit someone before. You don’t have to prove the owner knew the dog might bite. All you have to prove is the dog bit you, this person owned or controlled the dog, and you didn’t provoke the attack.
Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 202.500 puts the responsibility squarely on dog owners when their dog bites someone without provocation.
How Nevada Law Protects You Better Than Other States
Many states use the “one bite rule” where you have to prove the dog bit someone before or that the owner knew the dog was dangerous. In those states, if it’s the dog’s first attack, you might get nothing. Other states make you prove the owner was negligent – that they failed to train the dog, broke a leash law, or ignored warning signs. Nevada’s strict liability law is much stronger. The owner is liable regardless of the dog’s history or the owner’s precautions. This law was written specifically to protect innocent victims who did nothing wrong.
What “Provocation” Actually Means
The owner can claim you “provoked” the dog, but provocation has a specific legal meaning. It means you intentionally hurt, tormented, or abused the dog. Walking past a dog is not provocation. Knocking on a door is not provocation. Reaching to pet a dog is not provocation. Running or jogging past a dog is not provocation.
Real provocation would be hitting the dog, throwing things at it, pulling its tail, or kicking it. The owner has to prove you provoked the attack – you don’t have to prove you didn’t.
What Money Can You Recover?
Nevada law allows you to recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future care), non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent scars), and punitive damages if the owner’s conduct was especially reckless. Nevada does not cap damages in dog bite cases.
The 2-Year Deadline Is Critical
You have exactly 2 years from the date of the dog bite to file a lawsuit. Miss this deadline by even one day, and you lose your right to any money forever. The insurance company might keep telling you they’re “reviewing” your claim, but that 2-year clock doesn’t stop ticking.
Example from a real case: A Las Vegas woman was bitten by her neighbor’s golden retriever while getting her mail. The dog had never bitten anyone and the owner said “he’s the sweetest dog ever.” The insurance company tried to deny the claim, saying the dog wasn’t dangerous. Under Nevada’s strict liability law, that didn’t matter. The dog bit her without provocation, so the owner was responsible. She recovered $45,000 for her medical bills, scars, and the trauma of being attacked.
What Causes Most Dog Bites in Las Vegas?
What causes most dog bites? Dog bites are caused by a combination of dog behavior, owner negligence, and environmental factors. Understanding these causes helps prove who’s responsible for your injuries. These negligent causes include:
Owner Negligence
Owner negligence is the leading cause of dog bites in Las Vegas. Dogs running loose without leashes, owners who don’t secure their yards with proper fencing, failure to supervise aggressive dogs around visitors, ignoring warning signs that a dog is dangerous, and not training or socializing dogs properly all lead to attacks. Many owners know their dog has bitten before but fail to warn visitors or take precautions. We investigate the owner’s history with the dog to prove they knew or should have known about the danger.
Lack of Training and Socialization
Dogs that aren’t properly trained or socialized are more likely to bite. Dogs need to learn how to behave around people, especially children. Dogs that are isolated, chained up, or kept away from human contact become fearful and aggressive. Owners who get dogs for protection but don’t train them properly create dangerous situations. We examine the dog’s training history and living conditions to show the owner failed to properly socialize their animal.
Territorial Behavior
Dogs are naturally territorial and may attack when they feel their space is being invaded. This is especially common with dogs that are chained or confined to small yards. Dogs protecting their food, toys, or puppies can become aggressive even toward familiar people. Property owners who keep aggressive dogs without warning signs or proper containment are responsible when visitors get bitten. We prove the owner knew the dog was territorial but failed to protect you.
Poor Breeding and Genetics
Some dogs are bred for aggression, particularly fighting breeds like pit bulls, rottweilers, and certain terriers. While any dog can bite, certain breeds have stronger jaws and cause more severe injuries. Dogs from puppy mills or irresponsible breeders often have behavioral problems and health issues that increase bite risk. Owners who choose aggressive breeds have a higher duty to control their dogs and warn others. We use breed characteristics and the dog’s lineage to show the owner should have taken extra precautions.
Abuse and Mistreatment
Dogs that are abused, neglected, or mistreated are more likely to bite out of fear or self-defense. Dogs that are hit, starved, or kept in cruel conditions develop aggressive behaviors. When these dogs escape or encounter strangers, they react unpredictably. Evidence of abuse strengthens your case because it shows the owner created a dangerous situation. We work with animal control records and veterinary reports to document mistreatment.
Provocation by Children
While children don’t legally “provoke” dogs the same way adults can, certain child behaviors trigger bites. Pulling a dog’s tail or ears, bothering a dog while it’s eating, hugging or kissing a dog’s face, and running or screaming near dogs can trigger attacks. However, under Nevada law, children are given more protection because they don’t understand dog behavior. Even if a child’s action triggered the bite, the owner is usually still responsible for not supervising the interaction. We argue the owner should have prevented the child from being near the dog.
Dogs in Pain or Sick
Dogs in pain or suffering from illness are more likely to bite, even their own owners. Medical conditions like hip dysplasia, arthritis, ear infections, and dental problems make dogs irritable and defensive. Owners who know their dog is sick or injured have a duty to keep the dog away from others. We request veterinary records to show the owner knew the dog was in pain and failed to protect you from a predictable attack.
Resource Guarding
Some dogs aggressively guard their food, toys, beds, or owners. Dogs that growl, snap, or bite when someone approaches their bowl or favorite spot are exhibiting resource guarding behavior. This is a known behavioral problem that owners must address through training. When owners ignore resource guarding tendencies, they’re negligent when the dog eventually bites someone. We prove the owner knew about this behavior and failed to correct it or warn visitors.
About Wooldridge Law Injury Lawyers
We Focus on Injured People in Nevada
We’re not a general law firm that handles divorces, wills, and criminal cases. We focus specifically on personal injury cases in Nevada. That means we know Nevada injury law inside and out, we know what your case is worth in Las Vegas, we know the insurance companies and their lawyers personally, and we know the local courts and how they work.
Nevada Born and Bred
Our attorneys are from Nevada. We understand Las Vegas neighborhoods, local juries and what they care about, Southern Nevada culture, and how life works here. We’re not out-of-state lawyers trying to handle Nevada cases.
Free Consultation – No Risk
We don’t charge you anything to talk about your case, review your medical records, tell you what we think it’s worth, or explain your options. We only get paid if we win money for you. This is called a “contingency fee.” If we don’t recover money, you owe us nothing.
99.9% Client Satisfaction
We’ve helped hundreds of injured people in Las Vegas get the money they deserve. Our clients give us 5-star reviews because we explain everything clearly in plain English, we return phone calls quickly, we fight hard for maximum money, and we treat you like family, not a case number.
Las Vegas Dog Bite Statistics
Dog bites are far more common than most people realize. The numbers tell the story – thousands of people are seriously injured by dog attacks every year in Nevada, and many of these victims are children who suffer permanent scars and emotional trauma.
Las Vegas has a high rate of dog ownership, with many households owning one or more dogs. Our city’s warm weather means people and dogs are outside year-round, increasing the chances of encounters. The combination of high dog ownership, tourist activity, and outdoor lifestyle makes Las Vegas a hotspot for dog bite injuries.
FACIAL INJURIES ARE MOST COMMON IN CHILDREN
More than 65% of dog bite injuries to children involve the face, head, or neck. These are the most devastating injuries because they cause permanent scarring in visible areas. Facial bites require emergency surgery and often multiple reconstructive procedures as the child grows. The psychological impact of facial disfigurement affects children throughout their entire lives.
PIT BULLS CAUSE SEVERE INJURIES
Pit bulls and pit bull mixes account for approximately 68% of serious dog bite injuries requiring hospitalization. While many pit bulls are gentle, the breed's powerful jaws and tenacious bite style cause catastrophic injuries. A pit bull bite is more likely to result in severe lacerations, broken bones, and permanent disfigurement than bites from other breeds.
HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE COVERS MOST CLAIMS
Approximately 85% of dog bite claims are paid through the dog owner's homeowners or renters insurance policy. The average homeowners policy in Nevada carries $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage. This means you're not taking money from your neighbor - their insurance company pays for your injuries.
Special Rules for Dog Bites in Las Vegas
Las Vegas Requires Dogs on Leashes
Las Vegas Municipal Code 7.08.020 says dogs must be on a leash when not on the owner’s property. If the dog that bit you was running loose, that’s extra proof the owner was careless and violated the law. This can mean more money for you because the owner broke the rules.
“Dangerous Dogs” Have Special Rules
If a dog bites someone in Las Vegas, animal control can label it a “dangerous dog.” This means the dog must be kept in a locked enclosure, the owner needs special insurance, the dog must wear a special tag, and if it bites again, it could be euthanized. If the dog that bit you already had a “dangerous dog” designation, your case is worth more money because the owner knew the dog was a threat.
Property Owners Can Be Liable Too
In Nevada, it’s not just the dog’s owner who can be responsible. The property owner where the bite happened might also owe you money if they knew the dog was dangerous, if they allowed a dangerous dog on their property, if it’s an apartment complex with a “no aggressive breeds” policy that they didn’t enforce, or if the dog lived there permanently.
This is good for you because when more people are responsible, there are more insurance policies that can pay you. Landlords and property companies often have bigger insurance policies than individual homeowners. And having multiple responsible parties gives you more leverage to get a fair settlement.
Client Testimonials
We prioritize client satisfaction from the first consultation to the final case resolution. And our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys have earned 5-star client satisfaction, with glowing testimonials from injured clients across Nevada. We prioritize client satisfaction from the first consultation to the final.
Common Questions About Dog Bite Cases in Nevada
Can I sue if a dog bit me on the owner's property?
What if the dog was a stray or I don't know who owns it?
If you don’t know who owned the dog, it’s harder to get compensation, but we have strategies. We work with animal control to track down the owner using their records and investigation. We check surveillance cameras in the area that might have captured the dog or owner. We ask neighbors if they recognize the dog. If the attack happened in a parking lot or apartment complex, the property might have records of who owns dogs there. Sometimes your own insurance (homeowners, renters, or auto) has coverage that helps even when we can’t find the dog owner.
Can I sue if it was a police dog that bit me?
Police dogs (K-9s) are a special situation. You can sue if the police used excessive force, if they released the dog on you after you surrendered, or if you were an innocent bystander who got bitten. These cases are complicated because police have some immunity for their actions. But if they violated your rights or used the dog improperly, you may have a case under both Nevada law and federal civil rights law. We handle police dog bite cases and know how to overcome the immunity defenses.
What if the dog's owner says I provoked it?
The owner has to prove you provoked the dog – you don’t have to prove you didn’t. “Provocation” in Nevada means you intentionally hurt, tormented, or abused the dog. Simply walking past a dog, knocking on a door, reaching to pet it, or running past it is NOT provocation. We gather evidence to show you didn’t provoke the dog including witness statements, security camera footage, animal control reports, and your injuries (which show the attack was serious, not defensive). Insurance companies often claim provocation when they have no real evidence – we fight this defense aggressively.
How long does a dog bite case take in Las Vegas?
It depends on the severity of your injuries and how the insurance company responds. Simple cases with minor injuries, clear liability, and a cooperative insurance company typically take 3 to 6 months. Complex cases with serious injuries, multiple surgeries, or when the insurance company fights the claim can take 8 to 18 months and may require filing a lawsuit. We never settle your case until all your medical treatment is complete, we know the total cost of everything, we know if you have permanent injuries, and you’re comfortable with the settlement amount. Settling too early means leaving money on the table.
What if I already talked to the insurance company?
You can still file a claim and hire us, but whatever you said to them will be used in the case. Insurance companies contact victims quickly, before they hire lawyers, hoping to get statements that hurt the claim later. If you already gave a statement, don’t talk to them anymore. Call us immediately. We’ll review what you said, assess the damage, and figure out the best strategy moving forward. In many cases, we can still get you full compensation even if you made statements that weren’t helpful.
What if the dog bit me while I was working?
If you were bitten while working (delivery driver, postal worker, landscaper, utility worker, etc.), you might have both a workers compensation claim AND a personal injury claim. Workers comp covers your medical bills and lost wages but doesn’t pay for pain and suffering. The personal injury claim against the dog owner covers everything including pain, suffering, and full lost wages. We can pursue both claims simultaneously to maximize your total compensation. Your workers comp benefits don’t reduce what the dog owner owes you.
Can I still file a claim if it was my friend's dog?
Yes. Many people hesitate because they know the dog owner, but you need to understand something important: you’re not suing your friend. You’re making a claim against their insurance company. Their homeowners or renters insurance is designed to pay for exactly this situation. Your friend won’t pay anything out of pocket – their insurance handles everything. It’s no different than if you crashed your car into your friend’s house by accident – their insurance would fix it, not your friend’s personal money.
Visit our Las Vegas office
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Las Vegas or anywhere in Southern Nevada, we’re here to help. Visit our office at 400 S 7th St, Suite 490, Las Vegas, NV 89101, or if you can’t travel due to your injuries, we’ll come to you—at your home, hospital, or wherever is most convenient.
Call us at (702) 867-8900 or contact us through our website to schedule your free consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your legal options in plain language, and answer all your questions. No pressure, no fees unless we win your case.
We serve clients throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin, and all of Clark County.Retry
400 S 7th St, Ste 490, Las Vegas, NV 89101
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Areas We Cover
Serving truck accident victims throughout Southern Nevada, we provide dedicated legal representation to clients in communities across the region. No matter where your accident occurred, you have access to experienced local truck accident attorneys who know Nevada law and procedure. Below are just some of the cities and neighborhoods we service nearby:
- Angel Park
- Blue Diamond
- Boulder City
- Centennial Hills
- Charleston Heights
- CityCenter
- Desert Shores
- Downtown Las Vegas
- Downtown South
- Enterprise
- Kyle Canyon
- Henderson
- Lake Las Vegas
- Las Vegas
- Lone Mountain
- McCarran international Airport
- North Las Vegas
- Paradise
- Rhodes Ranch
- Southern Highlands
- Spring Valley
- Summerlin
- Summerlin South
- Summerlin West
- Sunrise Manor
- Sun City Summerlin
- The Lakes
- The Pueblo
- The Springs
- West Las Vegas
- Whitney
- Winchester
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