Will I have to sue the dog owner personally?

Almost never. Homeowner’s, renter’s, and umbrella insurance policies cover dog bites in most cases. We deal with the insurer; the dog owner usually does not write a check.

Should I report the bite to animal control?

Yes — and you should photograph the wound, get medical care immediately, and identify the dog and owner. The animal-control report and rabies-quarantine record are key evidence.

What if I was bitten by a service or working dog?

Service-dog liability follows the same state strict-liability rules; police-dog cases involve immunity defenses that require careful evaluation.

Maryland Dog Bite Lawyer | Siddons Law Firm

Reviewed by: Michael Alan Siddons, Esquire — LL.M (Taxation), member of the PA, NJ, MD, and NY bars.
Last reviewed: May 9, 2026. Content reflects current case-acceptance criteria and legal posture as of the review date.

Maryland Dog Bite Lawyers

If you or your child was attacked by a dog anywhere in Maryland, our firm represents victims throughout the state. Free case review — no fee unless we recover. Call (610) 255-7500 or use the form below.

Maryland Dog Bite Law

Maryland adopted statutory strict liability in 2014 (Cts. & Jud. Proc. §3-1901). The owner is liable unless the victim was unlawfully on the property, committing a felony, or provoking the dog.

Comparative-fault rule: Maryland applies contributory negligence — Maryland is one of only four U.S. states where ANY fault on your part can bar recovery, making evidence and a strong narrative critical.

Statute of limitations: 3 years from the date of the bite.

Government claims: 1 year for the State Tort Claims Act, 180 days for the Local Government Tort Claims Act.

Counties We Serve in Maryland

Our dog-bite attorneys handle claims throughout Maryland, including Baltimore City, Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Frederick, Harford, Carroll, Cecil, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Maryland

Get medical care immediately. Bites become infected fast and rabies prophylaxis is time-sensitive.
Photograph the wound and the dog if you can do so safely.
Identify the dog’s owner — name, address, and ideally the dog’s license tag and rabies records.
Report the bite to animal control and your local health department. The official report is critical evidence.
Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
Call us at (610) 255-7500 — we send the insurance preservation letter the same day.

Why Siddons Law for Maryland Dog Bite Claims

Multi-state coverage across PA, NJ, NY, and MD — useful when bites involve crossing state lines or out-of-state owners.
Contingency fee — no recovery, no fee.
Free case review usually within one business day.
We advance all case expenses; you pay nothing out of pocket.

Maryland Dog Bite FAQ

Will I have to sue the dog owner personally?: Almost never. Homeowner’s, renter’s, and umbrella insurance policies cover dog bites in most cases. We deal with the insurer; the dog owner usually does not write a check.
Should I report the bite to animal control?: Yes — and you should photograph the wound, get medical care immediately, and identify the dog and owner. The animal-control report and rabies-quarantine record are key evidence.
What if I was bitten by a service or working dog?: Service-dog liability follows the same state strict-liability rules; police-dog cases involve immunity defenses that require careful evaluation.

Call (610) 255-7500 for a free case review — or use the case-review form above. Serving every county in Maryland.