10/22/2026
A lot of people in Connecticut believe that a dog gets one free bite before its owner becomes legally responsible.
That is not how Connecticut law works.
Connecticut is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. That means the owner can be held responsible the very first time their dog injures someone, regardless of whether the dog had ever shown aggressive behavior before. The owner does not get a pass simply because they claimed the dog had never done anything like that before.
Here's what dog bite victims in Connecticut should know:
• You generally do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous
• The injury does not have to be a bite specifically; dog attacks that cause falls or other physical harm may also qualify
• Children are among the most common victims, and their injuries are often among the most serious
• Medical documentation, photos of injuries, and an incident report filed with local animal control strengthen the claim considerably
• Homeowner's or renter's insurance often covers dog bite liability, which is where most of these claims are resolved
If you or your child was injured by a dog in Connecticut and you want to understand whether you have a valid claim and what the process looks like: https://www.weberandrubano.com/hartford-dog-bite-lawyer/