In Massachusetts, claims involving dog bites and dog attacks are brought under M.G.L., Chapter 140: Section 155. The law states the owner or keeper of a dog is strictly liable for personal injuries, scarring and wrongful death caused by a dog attack. There is an exception if damage was sustained to a person who was trespassing or teasing a dog. When a minor owns the attacking dog, his or her parent or guardian is liable.

Here is the full text of the Massachusetts law regarding dog bites:

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.

Compensation for Dog Bite and Dog Attack Injuries
A dog owner will often have homeowner's insurance coverage. However, many insurance companies recently adopted exclusions in their policies for injuries caused by dogs. If there is no insurance or an exclusion exists, then an injured party has the option of pursuing the owner of a dog individually.

Contact Us Today
If you have a question concerning a dog bite or dog attack case, contact the Boston dog bite lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck. We can be reached at (800) 379-1244 or (617) 723-7676 or use our contact form.