The old English “one bite rule” shields a dog owner from liability until the owner has knowledge that his dog is dangerous or vicious. Oklahoma does not follow the “one bite rule”. Instead, the Oklahoma legislature has passed dog bite laws that are known as strict liability statutes. This means that dogs in Oklahoma do NOT get one free bite. In Oklahoma, the owner of a dog is strictly liable for injuries and damages caused by his animal regardless of the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s propensity to bite.

Oklahoma dog bite laws state that if an attack happens while the victim is legally on private property or while the victim is on public property, the owner is generally liable for the attack.

Exceptions which negate a dog owner’s liability include but are not limited to situations where the victim was trespassing on the dog owner’s land or where the victim was provoking the dog.

A victim of a dog bite may be entitled to compensation for medical treatment, medications, future medical treatment needs such as scar reduction surgery, psychological counseling, and lost wages. In many cases, the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance handles injury claims.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries as the result of a dog bit, contact me today for a free consultation. I will use my experience, knowledge and resources to achieve the best possible results for you and your family.