Maryland dog bite law can work strongly in an injured child's favor, especially when the dog was off-leash at the time of the attack. 

Dog owners face a rebuttable presumption that they knew their dog was dangerous, and young children generally cannot be blamed for provoking an animal under Maryland's contributory negligence rules. 

Because a minor's claim stays open for years longer than an adult's, families should still act quickly to preserve evidence and protect their child's rights.

Few things are more upsetting than seeing your child get bitten or knocked down by a dog, whether it happened at a neighbor's house, a park, or on your own front walk. Along with the medical concerns, most parents immediately wonder what legal options exist and whether the dog's owner can be held responsible. In Maryland, the answer often favors the injured child.

The Maryland dog bite attorneys at Meyers, Rodbell & Rosenbaum have resolved dog bite cases for decades, including claims brought on behalf of injured children. Here's how Maryland's dog bite laws work and what your family can do next.

Is the Dog Owner Automatically Liable for Biting My Child?Vicious Dog

Maryland's dog bite statute creates two overlapping paths to holding an owner responsible, depending on where and how the attack happened.

When the Dog Was Running at Large

If the dog was off the owner's property and not under control, such as running loose in a yard, neighborhood, or park, Maryland law makes the owner strictly liable for the injury. Your family does not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or that the owner did anything careless. The only exceptions apply if the injured person was trespassing, committing a crime, or deliberately provoking the dog.

When the Dog Was on the Owner's Property

If the bite happened on the owner's property, Maryland law still favors the injured family. Evidence that the dog caused the injury creates a rebuttable presumption that the owner knew or should have known the dog had dangerous tendencies. That shifts the burden to the owner to prove otherwise, rather than requiring your family to dig up the dog's bite history from scratch.

Can My Child Be Blamed for Provoking the Dog?

Insurance companies representing dog owners frequently argue that the victim provoked the animal. This defense is harder to apply against a young child. Just as Maryland courts limit how much fault can be assigned to a young child in a car accident, the same reasoning generally protects a toddler or young grade-schooler who approached, petted, or startled a dog without understanding the risk. A child who is too young to appreciate danger is generally not held to the same standard as an adult who deliberately taunted an animal.

What Compensation Can My Family Pursue?

Dog bites to children frequently involve the face, head, and neck because of their height relative to the animal, which can mean lasting scarring in addition to the immediate injury. Depending on the severity of the attack, compensation may include:

  • Emergency treatment, reconstructive or plastic surgery, and follow-up medical care

  • Counseling or therapy to address fear of dogs or other psychological trauma

  • Compensation for permanent scarring, disfigurement, or, in severe cases, brain injuries, nerve damage or other lasting injuries

  • Pain and suffering connected to the attack and recovery

  • Reimbursement for medical costs the parents have already paid out of pocket

How Long Do We Have to File a Claim on Our Child's Behalf?

Adults generally have three years from the date of an attack to sue under Maryland's standard filing deadline. For a child, that clock generally does not begin until the child turns 18, which can leave the child's own claim open until close to their 21st birthday. A parent's separate claim to recover medical expenses already paid typically follows the standard three-year window instead, so it's worth confirming the applicable deadlines rather than assuming the family has years to spare.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Dog Attacks My Child?

  • Get your child medical attention right away, even for what looks like a minor bite, since dog bites carry a real risk of infection.

  • Photograph the wound, the location of the attack, and, if safe to do so, the dog itself.

  • Get the owner's name, address, and contact information, along with proof that the dog is current on its rabies vaccination.

  • Report the bite to your local animal control agency, which creates an official record of the incident.

  • Avoid giving a recorded statement to the owner's homeowners or renters insurance company before speaking with an attorney.

To prevent dog bites, always supervise young children around dogs, including familiar family pets. This is one of the most effective ways to avoid a repeat incident while your child recovers.

If your child was bitten by a dog, the experienced child injury lawyers at Meyers, Rodbell & Rosenbaum will work together to build the strongest possible case. Understanding the full personal injury lawsuit process can also help set expectations for how long the case may take.