Boston Dog Bite Attorney Jeff Murad

Dog Bite Laws in Massachusetts

Dog Bite Attorney

It’s estimated that 4.7 million people will be bit by a dog in the US this year. Out of 4.7 million, 800,000 will require medical care. Massachusetts is amongst one of the best states for protecting dog bite victims (especially young children). A dog’s owner or keeper is liable for any dog bites unless the victim was either trespassing, abusing, tormenting, or teasing the dog. A young child under the age of 7 is presumed to have done none of those things but this is rebuttable in court. The following is how the law reads in Massachusetts:

General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 140: Section 155. Liability for damage caused by dog; minors; presumption and burden of proof.

Section 155. If any dog shall do any damage to either the body or property of any person, the owner or keeper, or if the owner or keeper be a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor, shall be liable for such damage, unless such damage shall have been occasioned to the body or property of a person who, at the time such damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog. If a minor, on whose behalf an action under this section is brought, is under seven years of age at the time the damage was done, it shall be presumed that such minor was not committing a trespass or other tort, or teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog, and the burden of proof thereof shall be upon the defendant in such action.

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Upon being bitten, it’s best to speak with a Dog Bite Attorney immediately. Dog bites not only scar physically, but emotionally as well and may require both physical and emotional therapy to fully heal.

Physical injuries may include:

  • Lacerations
  • Puncture wounds
  • Infection resulting from wound
  • Contusion
  • Rabies
  • Amputation/avulsion
  • Broken bone/fracture/dislocation

Emotional repercussions may include:

  • Trauma
  • Phobia
  • PTSD

If you or a loved one are injured by a dog bite in Massachusetts call the Boston Dog Bite AttorneyJeff Murad today at 617-227-4648.