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If you or your child has been attacked by a dog, the physical wounds are only part of what you’re dealing with. There’s the shock. The fear. The images that replay in your mind. And then the practical realities—emergency room bills, follow-up surgeries, rabies treatment protocols, plastic surgery consultations, and therapy sessions to process what happened.
Dog attacks leave lasting marks. Some visible. Some not.
Georgia law holds dog owners responsible when their animals injure people. But proving liability requires specific evidence. The owner’s knowledge of the dog’s dangerous tendencies. The circumstances of the attack. Whether the victim did anything to provoke the animal. These details determine whether you have a case—and how much it’s worth.
A Savannah, GA dog bite lawyer at Chattahoochee Injury Law can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. We’ve spent 13 years representing injury victims throughout Chatham County. Dog attack cases require careful investigation, and we know how to build them.
Your consultation is free. We collect no fees unless we recover money for you.
Some states impose strict liability for any dog bite. Georgia doesn’t work that way. Under state law, you generally need to show that the owner knew—or should have known—their dog was dangerous. Prior incidents. Aggressive behavior. A history of lunging at people. These factors establish what lawyers call “scienter”—the owner’s knowledge of the risk.
Ben Clary, founder of Chattahoochee Injury Law, has handled animal attack cases for over a decade. He understands what evidence matters. Veterinary records. Animal control reports. Neighbor testimony about previous aggression. HOA complaints. We investigate thoroughly because these details make or break cases.
Ben earned his law degree at Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. His undergraduate work was at the College of Charleston. He’s earned recognition from Super Lawyers and holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating—the highest distinction available for legal ability and ethics.
People underestimate these injuries. A dog’s bite force can crush bones, tear muscle, and cause permanent nerve damage. Infections from bacteria in the animal’s mouth require aggressive antibiotic treatment. Deep puncture wounds may need surgical debridement. Facial attacks often require multiple reconstructive procedures.
Children face elevated risk. They’re smaller. Their faces are closer to dog height. They don’t always recognize warning signs. And the psychological trauma of a childhood attack can persist for years.
Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for clients with serious injuries. Dog attack victims deserve the same aggressive representation we provide in any personal injury case in Savannah.
Here’s what happens after most dog attacks: the victim contacts the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance. The insurer assigns an adjuster. That adjuster’s job? Deny the claim or minimize the payout.
They’ll argue the dog was provoked. They’ll claim the victim was trespassing. They’ll question medical necessity. They’ll offer a lowball settlement hoping you’ll accept before understanding what your case is actually worth.
Our firm has seen these tactics countless times. We counter them with evidence and persistence.
★★★★★
“Mr. Clary is a phenomenal attorney who goes above and beyond for his clients. After enduring several hardships with my previous attorney, he took me on as a client and was able to secure a higher settlement! Hire him—he will advocate hard on your behalf!” — Rachel Toyer
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Dog bite cases work on contingency at our firm. No retainers. No hourly rates. We advance the costs of investigation and litigation. Our fee comes from your recovery—and only if we win.
Dog attacks happen in many different circumstances. The setting and context affect who bears legal responsibility. We handle cases across the full range of scenarios:
Every situation requires different investigation. We review all possible sources of compensation in each case.
Georgia’s dog bite statute creates a framework that differs from many other states. Understanding these rules helps explain what your case needs to succeed.
Under O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7, a dog owner faces liability when:
That second element—owner knowledge—is crucial. Georgia isn’t a “one bite free” state exactly, but proving the owner knew their dog posed a risk matters enormously. Evidence of prior bites, aggressive incidents, complaints to animal control, or even the owner’s own statements about the dog’s temperament all establish this knowledge.
Leash law violations help establish negligence. Savannah and Chatham County require dogs to be leashed or confined. An owner who lets their dog run loose has already breached a legal duty. If that dog then bites someone, the leash violation supports the negligence claim.
Georgia’s comparative fault rules apply here too. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, if the victim bears some responsibility—say, they were taunting the dog—their compensation gets reduced proportionally. At 50% or more fault, recovery is barred entirely. Defense attorneys always look for provocation arguments.
The statute of limitations is two years per O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. For claims involving minors, the deadline may extend until they reach adulthood—but consulting an attorney promptly remains wise regardless.
Dog attacks produce a wide range of injuries and losses. Georgia law allows compensation across several categories.
These are your out-of-pocket costs. Medical expenses lead the list: emergency treatment, wound care, stitches or staples, surgery, hospitalization, follow-up visits, antibiotics, rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (which involves multiple shots over two weeks), tetanus boosters, physical therapy, and reconstructive surgery.
Severe attacks cause injuries requiring years of treatment. Facial reconstruction often involves multiple staged procedures as swelling subsides and tissues heal. Nerve damage may require specialized surgery. Hand injuries can impair function permanently. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, dog bites account for a significant percentage of reconstructive procedures performed annually.
Lost wages cover time missed from work during recovery. If injuries prevent returning to your previous job, lost earning capacity extends into the future.
Property damage—torn clothing, broken glasses, damaged personal items—can also be recovered.
Dog attacks inflict harm beyond medical bills. Pain and suffering compensation addresses physical discomfort during treatment and recovery. Scarring—especially facial scarring—causes lasting emotional distress and self-consciousness.
Psychological trauma deserves compensation too. Fear of dogs. Nightmares. Anxiety in public spaces where dogs might appear. Post-traumatic stress symptoms. Children often develop lasting phobias after attacks. Adults may too.
Disfigurement carries its own damages category. Visible scars affect self-esteem, relationships, and sometimes employment opportunities. Georgia juries can award substantial compensation for permanent disfigurement.
When a dog owner’s conduct was especially reckless—they knew their dog was dangerous and did nothing to protect others—punitive damages may apply. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1, these are generally capped at $250,000.
An owner who ignored previous bite incidents, refused to leash a known aggressive dog, or kept an animal specifically for intimidation may face punitive claims.
If a dog has bitten you or your child, the following steps protect both your health and your legal options.
1. Get to safety first. Move away from the dog. Make sure it can’t attack again. If the owner is present, ask them to secure the animal.
2. Identify the dog and owner. Get the owner’s name, address, and phone number. Ask for proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination. If the owner isn’t present, try to identify the dog—take photos, note distinguishing features, ask witnesses if they recognize it.
3. Call animal control. Chatham County Animal Services tracks bite incidents. Their report documents the attack officially and may reveal whether this dog has a history of aggression. This report can be crucial evidence.
4. Document your injuries immediately. Photograph bite wounds, bruising, torn clothing, and the attack location. Take pictures before cleaning wounds and again after treatment. Document healing progression over the following days and weeks.
5. Seek medical attention promptly. Dog bites require professional evaluation even when they look minor. Puncture wounds trap bacteria deep in tissue where infection thrives. Some victims need IV antibiotics. Rabies risk must be assessed—if the dog’s vaccination status is unknown, post-exposure prophylaxis may be necessary.
6. Get witness information. Anyone who saw the attack can provide valuable testimony. Neighbors who’ve seen the dog act aggressively before are especially helpful. Get names and phone numbers before people disperse.
7. Report to police if appropriate. Serious attacks—especially those involving children or significant injury—warrant police reports. Officers may cite the dog owner for leash law violations or other offenses.
8. Preserve evidence. Keep torn clothing. Don’t discard damaged items. Save all medical paperwork, receipts, and documentation of expenses related to the attack.
9. Don’t give statements to the owner’s insurance. They’ll call. They want your recorded version of events. Don’t provide it without consulting an attorney. What seems like innocent conversation becomes ammunition against your claim.
10. Contact a Savannah dog bite lawyer. Early legal involvement helps preserve evidence, ensures proper documentation, and prevents mistakes that weaken cases.
Dog attacks are more common than most people realize. The numbers reveal a persistent public safety concern.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States annually. About 800,000 require medical attention. Roughly 30 to 50 prove fatal each year.
Children face the highest risk. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, children between ages 5 and 9 have the highest dog bite injury rates. Boys are bitten more frequently than girls. Most bites to young children come from dogs the family knows—their own pet, a relative’s dog, a neighbor’s animal.
Hospital data tells a sobering story. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality tracks hospitalizations, and dog bite injuries account for hundreds of millions of dollars in annual medical costs nationwide. Average emergency room visits for dog bites run several thousand dollars. Hospitalizations for severe attacks easily reach tens of thousands. Reconstructive surgery adds substantially more.
Georgia doesn’t report statewide bite statistics comprehensively, but Chatham County Animal Services handles hundreds of bite reports annually. The actual number of bites is certainly higher—many go unreported, especially minor incidents or attacks by known dogs where victims don’t want to create conflict with neighbors.
Certain breeds appear more frequently in serious attack statistics. But any dog can bite under the right circumstances. Size matters for severity—larger dogs inflict more damaging wounds—but small dogs bite too.
Savannah’s dog-friendly culture creates exposure. Dogs frequent parks, outdoor restaurants, beaches, and neighborhoods throughout the city. More dogs in more places means more opportunities for attacks, especially when owners don’t properly control their animals.
Do I Have A Case If The Dog Has Never Bitten Anyone Before?Possibly. Georgia looks at whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous—but “dangerous” includes aggressive behavior short of actual biting. Lunging, growling, snapping, threatening behavior toward people or other animals. Prior complaints. The owner’s own admissions about the dog’s temperament. A history of bites isn’t required.
File the claim anyway. Their homeowner’s insurance covers dog bites. You’re not suing your friend personally—you’re accessing their insurance policy. That’s what insurance is for. Your medical bills shouldn’t go unpaid because of social discomfort.
It depends on injury severity, scarring, psychological impact, medical costs, lost income, and available insurance coverage. A minor bite requiring stitches produces a smaller settlement than a facial attack requiring reconstructive surgery. We can estimate value after reviewing your specific situation.
Trespassers face a higher bar but aren’t automatically barred from recovery. If the owner knew their dog was dangerous and failed to warn or secure it, liability may still exist. Children who wander onto property receive more protection than adult trespassers. Each situation requires individual analysis.
Usually, yes. Most homeowner’s and renter’s policies include liability coverage for dog bites. Some policies exclude certain breeds or dogs with bite histories. Coverage limits vary—typically $100,000 to $500,000 or more. The owner’s policy is the primary source of compensation in most cases.
Stray dog cases are harder because there’s no identifiable owner to pursue. But if the attack occurred on someone’s property—a business, apartment complex, or private residence—that property owner may bear liability for allowing a dangerous stray to roam.
Potentially. Landlords may face liability if they knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous and allowed it to remain. Prior complaints, lease violations, or documented incidents create landlord liability. This adds another possible source of compensation beyond the dog owner’s insurance.
Two years from the attack date. For children, the deadline may extend until they turn 18—but evidence degrades over time, witnesses forget, and records get lost. Don’t wait to consult an attorney.
Uninsured owners complicate recovery but don’t make it impossible. We can pursue the owner’s personal assets. If the attack occurred on another party’s property, that property owner’s insurance may apply. We identify all potential sources of compensation.
Yes. Always. Animal control reports document the incident officially. They may reveal prior complaints about the dog. And if the dog’s rabies status is unknown, animal control can quarantine the animal for observation—which may save you from unnecessary rabies shots.
Provocation is a defense, but it must be proven. Simply being near a dog doesn’t constitute provocation. Neither does normal behavior like walking past, making noise, or approaching the owner. We investigate the circumstances and counter false provocation claims with evidence.
That depends on local animal control decisions and the severity of the attack. Dangerous dog designations and euthanasia determinations follow separate processes from civil injury claims. Your personal injury case is about compensation for your injuries, not the dog’s fate.
Absolutely. Psychological harm is compensable. Children often develop lasting fear of dogs, nightmares, anxiety, and behavioral changes after attacks. Therapy costs are economic damages. The trauma itself is a non-economic damage deserving compensation.
Timelines vary. Straightforward cases with clear liability and cooperative insurers may settle within months. Complex cases—disputed facts, severe injuries requiring extended treatment, coverage disputes—can take a year or longer.
Look for a lawyer who handles personal injury claims regularly and understands Georgia’s specific dog bite laws. Ask about their experience with animal attack cases. Schedule a consultation to assess communication style and fit.
Dog attacks occur throughout Chatham County, but certain locations and circumstances present elevated risk.
Residential neighborhoods see the most bites. Dogs escape yards. They slip through doors. They’re let outside without leashes. Many attacks happen on sidewalks directly in front of the dog’s home.
Dog parks concentrate animals in enclosed spaces. Not all owners supervise adequately. Not all dogs are properly socialized. Fights break out. Bystanders—especially children—get caught in the middle. Lake Mayer Park and other off-leash areas see regular incidents.
Forsyth Park allows dogs on leash, but the crowds and stimulation can trigger reactive behavior in some animals. Joggers, cyclists, and children running past may provoke chase instincts.
Tybee Island beaches attract dogs and families. Excitement, unfamiliar environments, and territorial behavior around blankets and coolers create bite risk.
Apartment complexes and townhome communities present shared-space challenges. Dogs encounter each other—and residents—in parking lots, stairwells, and common areas. Not all pet policies are enforced.
Outdoor restaurant patios increasingly welcome dogs. This puts animals in close proximity to strangers, food, and commotion. Even well-behaved dogs may snap when stressed.
These resources may assist after a dog attack. Listing does not constitute endorsement by Chattahoochee Injury Law.
Dog owners have homeowner’s insurance with adjusters working to minimize payouts. You deserve someone advocating just as hard for your interests.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Savannah dog bite lawyer. We’ll review what happened, explain your legal options, and answer your questions—honestly and without pressure.
No upfront fees. No obligation. Just straightforward advice from an attorney who handles these cases regularly.
