Massachusetts Dog Bite & Animal Attack Attorneys

Statute of Limitations

3 years

3 years from the date of the bite/attack (G.L. c. 260 § 2A)

Dog-Bite Statute

Strict liability

Strict liability — G.L. c. 140 § 155 — reaches owners and keepers; defenses limited to trespass, other tort, or teasing/tormenting/abusing the dog

Comparative Fault Rule

51%

Modified comparative fault, 51% bar (G.L. c. 231 § 85) for common-law claims; § 155 strict-liability claim largely insulated

Dangerous Dog Law

G.L. c. 140 § 157

G.L. c. 140 § 157 — dangerous-dog determinations, containment orders, and potential euthanasia

Leash Law

Local ordinance

Set by municipal ordinance plus G.L. c. 140 § 173 (dogs at large); violation supports negligence per se

Typical attorney fee

33%

33%–40% contingency — no fee unless you win

Massachusetts General Laws c. 140 § 155 imposes strict liability on both dog owners and keepers for any damage caused by the dog — no prior-bite history or owner negligence required. The only statutory defenses are that the victim was trespassing, committing another tort, or teasing/tormenting/abusing the dog. Children under 7 are statutorily presumed not to have been trespassing or teasing (§ 155 last paragraph) — a powerful presumption. Massachusetts applies modified comparative fault with a 51% bar (G.L. c. 231 § 85) for common-law claims, but the § 155 strict-liability claim is largely insulated. Most claims are paid through homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Massachusetts has an equine-activity statute (G.L. c. 128 § 2D). An attorney enforces § 155, defeats statutory defenses, and pursues the homeowner’s carrier.