Other injury cases
Dallas dog bite lawyer.
A dog attack is fast and frightening, and the injuries, especially to a child's face and hands, can need surgery and leave scars for life. In Texas, the owner answers for the bite if they knew the dog was dangerous or if they were careless, like letting it run loose. In most cases the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance pays, not the neighbor out of pocket. We find the owner, the dog's history and the policy, and handle the claim so you can focus on healing.
Right now
If a dog just bit you or your child.
- 01
Get medical care today
Dog bites get infected easily. Go to the ER or urgent care, especially for bites to the face, hands or a child. Ask about rabies and tetanus.
- 02
Identify the dog and the owner
Get the owner's name, address and phone, and a photo of the dog if you can do it safely. Knowing the dog's vaccination status may spare you rabies shots.
- 03
Report the bite
In Dallas, call 311 to report to Dallas Animal Services. In Odessa, call the city's animal control. The report starts the rabies observation and creates an official record.
- 04
Photograph the wounds and the place
Photos of the wounds now and as they heal, torn clothing, and the gate, fence or yard where the dog got out. Get names of anyone who saw it.
- 05
Talk with us before the insurer
The owner's insurance company may call and ask for a recorded statement. You do not have to give one. The consultation is free, in English or Spanish.
Key deadlines and numbers
- Deadline to sue
- Generally 2 years from the biteSource: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 16.003
- If a child was bitten
- The child's own deadline usually does not start until age 18Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 16.001
- Rabies observation
- The dog is usually quarantined and watched for 10 daysSource: Tex. Health & Safety Code ch. 826
- Unprovoked attack by a loose dog
- Owner can face a felony when it causes serious injury (Lillian's Law)Source: Tex. Health & Safety Code 822.005
- Who usually pays
- The owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance
Texas law
When a dog owner is responsible in Texas.
Texas has no dog bite statute for civil claims. The rules come from Texas court decisions, and there are two main paths to holding the owner responsible.
| Theory | What you have to show | Typical evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Known dangerous dog (strict liability) | The dog had bitten, attacked or gone after people before, and the owner knew or should have known. | Prior bite reports, 311 calls, neighbors, a dangerous dog designation. |
| Negligence | The owner was careless in controlling the dog, even if it never bit before. | Loose dog, broken fence or gate, no leash where the city requires one. |
No free first bite for careless owners
People call Texas a one-bite state, but that only describes the strict liability path. An owner who let a dog roam or ignored a leash rule can be responsible for the very first bite.
Serious attacks can be a crime
When a dog at large makes an unprovoked attack off the owner's property and causes serious bodily injury, the owner can be charged under Lillian's Law. A criminal case is separate from your claim, but its records can help.
Source: Tex. Health & Safety Code 822.005Your own conduct matters
The insurer may argue you provoked the dog or were trespassing. Under Texas fault rules, that can reduce or end the claim. Witnesses and the scene help answer that.
Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 33.001Landlords are rarely responsible
A landlord is usually not liable for a tenant's dog unless the landlord knew it was dangerous and had control over the situation. We check, but the owner's policy is usually the main source.
How we work
How we build a dog bite claim.
Mr. Estrada reads the file and sets the strategy. Our team works the claim with him and keeps you updated in English or Spanish.
01
Get the official records
Animal services and police reports, the quarantine record, prior complaints about the same dog or address, and any dangerous dog filing.
02
Talk to the neighbors
Neighbors often know which dog gets out and who it has gone after. Their statements can prove what the owner knew.
03
Find the insurance
Homeowner's, renter's or umbrella coverage for the owner, and in some cases a business or property manager.
04
Document the scars
Photos over time, the plastic surgeon's plan for future revisions and, for children, how the injury affects school and confidence.
05
Negotiate, then file if needed
We send a demand backed by the records. Most dog bite claims settle with the insurer. If it will not pay fairly, we file suit.
Who handles it
The lawyer on the sign is the lawyer on your case.
Mr. Estrada has practiced in Texas since 2003, in state court and in the Northern, Eastern and Western federal districts of Texas. He reads the file and sets the strategy, with associates and staff who work the case alongside him. Everything is explained to you in English or Spanish.
What clients say
“Our experience with this law firm was simply everything we could've asked for. They answered all of our questions in a timely manner, followed up with us. As for pricing, it was very reasonable and honestly less than we anticipated. Last, but not least, thank you Liz and Vianey for being so helpful throughout this process.”Questions people ask us.
- The owner is my neighbor or a relative
- That is common. The claim is usually paid by their insurance, not by them personally, and many people keep good relations through the process.
- Who pays for rabies shots and the ER now?
- Your health insurance, Medicaid or CHIP, or the owner's policy through medical payments coverage. We keep track of what is owed so it is resolved in the claim.
- Will the dog be put down?
- That is decided by animal services or a court, not by your injury claim. Reporting the bite is about safety and your health.
Dallas and Odessa
Loose dogs in Dallas and Odessa.
Loose and roaming dogs have been a long-running problem in parts of southern Dallas and Oak Cliff, and many of our dog bite clients were simply walking to school, to the bus or in their own yard. Dallas Animal Services takes reports through 311, and those records are often key evidence. In Odessa, bite reports go to the city's animal control, and our Odessa office handles cases across Ector and Midland counties.
FAQ
Questions people ask.
Is Texas a one-bite state?
Partly. An owner who knew the dog was dangerous is responsible without more. But an owner who was careless, for example by letting the dog run loose, can be responsible even if the dog never bit anyone before.
Who pays for a dog bite claim?
Usually the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance. Some policies exclude certain breeds or dogs with a bite history, and then we look at other coverage and the owner's assets.
What if I do not know who owns the dog?
Report it right away so animal services can try to find the dog. Neighbors, cameras and the animal services record often lead to the owner. Without an owner, a claim is much harder.
My child was bitten in the face. What is the claim worth?
It depends on the injury, the scarring, future surgery, the emotional effect and the insurance available. Scars on a child's face are taken seriously. We wait until doctors can say what future care is needed before settling.
Can I make a claim if I was bitten at a friend's house?
Yes, if the owner knew the dog was dangerous or was careless. The claim is usually against the friend's insurance, not your friend personally.
How much does it cost to hire you?
The first consultation is free. Injury cases are handled on a contingency fee, which means the fee comes out of the recovery, not out of your pocket. We explain the exact terms, including case costs, before you sign.
Related situations
- Injuries to children
- Premises liability
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Negligent security
- All: Personal Injury
Updated October 2026
This page is general information about Texas law, not legal advice for your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a future outcome.
Two offices
Oak Cliff and Odessa.
Mon to Fri 9 to 5, Sat 9 to 12. Emergencies 24/7 by phone.
Law Office of Olegario Estrada, P.C.
We explain everything.We answer 24/7.Se habla español.
Free consultation by phone, video, or in person. Offices in Dallas and Odessa.