A dog attack happens in seconds, but the injury it leaves behind can last a lifetime. Deep puncture wounds, scarring, nerve damage, and lasting psychological trauma are all common outcomes of a serious dog bite, and the road back to normal is rarely as quick as the attack itself. In Alberta, dog owners can be held responsible when their pet injures someone, whether through the City of Edmonton's Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw or the common-law principles of negligence and scienter. Our Edmonton dog bite lawyers have helped injured Edmontonians, including parents of injured children, pursue legal options against negligent owners and recover the cost of medical treatment, reconstructive care, counselling, and lost income.
When this happens, most people don't know where to start. The first steps matter: getting medical treatment, documenting the animal and the circumstances, and understanding whether you have grounds for a personal injury claim. A bite injury can look minor at first and still require ongoing treatment weeks or months later, especially with young children. Our injury lawyer team walks every client through the legal process from the very first call, explaining what your case could be worth and what evidence strengthens a claim against the owner or their insurer.
Dog bites often cause more than the visible wound. Victims, and children in particular, can suffer puncture injuries, lacerations requiring stitches or surgery, infection, permanent scarring, nerve damage, and significant emotional trauma. We make sure both the physical and psychological impact of the attack are accounted for in your claim.
A dog bite claim isn't just about the medical bill from the emergency room. Fair compensation accounts for the full cost of what happened: ongoing medical treatment, reconstructive procedures, counselling for lasting trauma, and income lost while a client recovers. We build every claim around that full picture, not the smaller number an insurer offers first.
Known Aggression. An owner aware their dog has bitten or threatened before can be held responsible for a later attack.
Off-Leash and Loose Dogs. Letting a dog run loose contrary to Edmonton bylaws is strong evidence of negligence and often supports dog bite accident claims.
Attacks on Private Property. Owners can be liable when a guest, delivery worker, or visitor is bitten on their property.
Attacks on Children. Children are bitten at higher rates and often suffer the most serious facial and emotional injuries.
If you or a family member has been bitten, a few steps can protect both your health and your case.
Seek medical attention right away, even for a bite that looks minor. Infection sets in quickly, and a medical record close to the time of the incident matters later if you pursue a claim.
Get the owner's contact information and, if possible, confirm whether the dog has bitten anyone before. Prior incidents strengthen a personal injury claim considerably.
Photograph the wound, the location, and anything relevant to how the attack happened. Keep records of every follow-up appointment, since infections and nerve damage don't always show up right away.
For decades, we’ve fought for our clients’ rightful compensation. Read what our clients have to say.
Time is of the essence when it comes to personal injury claims. Evidence, witnesses, and memories can get lost or fade, so the sooner you start the process, the better. From the moment you contact our firm, we’ll work to understand your situation, answer all your questions, and develop a plan to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for your free, no-obligation, private consultation.
Yes. A dog bite generally falls under personal injury law in Alberta. Owners can be held liable for injuries caused by their animals, and a lawyer can help determine whether negligence, a bylaw violation, or prior known aggression supports your claim.
Not automatically. In Alberta, you generally need to show that the owner was negligent or knew their dog was dangerous. Bylaw violations, prior dog attacks, and witness accounts all help establish liability in a dog bite injury claim.
Many bite claims are paid through the owner's home or tenant insurance rather than out of pocket, so pursuing a claim doesn't have to mean a personal confrontation. Our injury legal team can guide you through that sensitively.
Dog bite cases are typically handled on a contingency basis, meaning our clients pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. Your first consultation is always free.
Alberta's Limitations Act generally gives you two years from the date of the attack to start a court action. Speaking with lawyers early protects your options, especially in case the dog's owner or insurer disputes what happened.
