Owning a pet entails a significant level of responsibility. In Canada, there are nearly 8 million pet dogs, each of which requires a caring home and a responsible owner committed to their well-being. Beyond the routine tasks of walking, feeding, grooming, and attending to their needs, dog owners are accountable for any harm their pet causes to other individuals.

In accordance with the Dog Owners’ Liability Act of our province, dog owners bear a duty of care towards others. They are required to take reasonable precautions to prevent their dog from causing harm to another person. If a dog bites, attacks, or inflicts injury on someone, either the owner or the person in charge of the dog at the time of the incident could be held liable for the resulting damages suffered by the victims.

Even if a dog has never displayed aggressive or violent behavior towards people before, its owner might still be financially responsible for compensating injured victims of an attack. Regardless of how gentle and well-behaved a dog typically is, they possess the potential to cause serious harm—even fatalities—to unsuspecting humans, even in unprovoked situations.

Among those most vulnerable to severe, lasting, or fatal injuries in dog attacks are toddlers and other young children. Often, the victims of such attacks are individuals who exist outside the dog’s immediate circle of trusted humans, despite their owners assuming that their dog would never harm a stranger.

Delivery drivers and mail carriers are frequently seriously injured in dog bite incidents, but neighbours and visitors to the property are also often susceptible to being hurt by dog bites.

When dogs unexpectedly bite members of the community, the scars they leave behind can be both physical and psychological. Apart from potentially causing physical disfigurement or severe bodily injuries, dog bites can lead to significant mental health problems, such as:

• Reduced self-esteem due to physical disfigurement
• Sleep disturbances
• Permanent phobias
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Panic attacks
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• And more

The financial toll resulting from physical and psychological injuries sustained in dog attacks can be overwhelming. Many victims of dog attacks are ill-prepared for the resulting financial burden. This is why consulting with a Toronto dog bite lawyer is required.  By pursuing a civil claim, victims of dog attacks may seek compensation for their losses.