As of 2025, Illinois enforces some of the strictest dog bite laws in the country, designed to protect both individuals and animals from the risks associated with dog attacks. These laws hold pet owners accountable while also outlining important rights for dog bite victims. In this blog post, we’ll break down Illinois' dog bite laws and explain what both pet owners and those affected by dog bites need to know.
In Illinois, a dog bite injury is defined as any harm caused by a dog’s teeth piercing or tearing a person’s skin. This includes scratches, puncture wounds, and lacerations, all of which can lead to serious injuries requiring medical care. However, it’s important to note that an actual bite is not always necessary for the dog’s owner to be held responsible. If a dog knocks someone over, causes a fall, or scratches a person, leading to an injury claim, the owner may still be liable under Illinois law.
Illinois follows a strict liability rule for dog bite incidents, meaning that dog owners are responsible for injuries their pet causes, regardless of whether they knew the dog had aggressive tendencies. This is different from laws in some other states, which require proof that the owner was aware of the dog’s potential danger.
The only exceptions to strict liability include cases where the victim was trespassing on the owner’s property or intentionally provoking the dog. In such situations, the owner may not be held liable for the resulting civil damages or personal injury claims. However, for most victims—especially in public spaces—Illinois law prioritizes public safety, ensuring that owners are held accountable when their dog causes harm.
Additionally, some municipal ordinances impose breed-specific regulations on dogs such as pit bulls, requiring extra precautions like muzzling or confinement. Failure to comply with local ordinances may strengthen a personal injury attorney’s case against an owner in a dog bite lawsuit.
Victims of dog bite incidents in Illinois have two years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit against the dog owner. This time frame applies to injury claims for medical care, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the attack. If the victim is a minor, the statute of limitations is extended until two years after their 18th birthday, ensuring young victims have sufficient time to seek legal action once they reach adulthood.
Acting promptly is crucial, as missing this deadline can prevent victims from recovering civil damages, even if the injuries are severe. Consulting a personal injury attorney early in the process can help ensure all necessary legal steps are taken within the required timeframe.
If a dog bite victim successfully files a claim, they may be awarded compensation for damages related to their injuries. These can include:
Since insurance companies may attempt to minimize payouts, it’s important for victims to work with a personal injury attorney who understands Illinois dog bite laws and can negotiate fair compensation.
In addition to the strict liability law, Illinois also has a dangerous dog law. This law allows local municipalities to declare a dog to be dangerous if it has killed or seriously injured a person or another animal. Once a dog is declared dangerous, the owner must take certain steps to ensure the safety of others.
These steps can include registering the dog with the local animal control agency, keeping the dog contained in a secure area, and posting a warning sign on the property where the dog is kept. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in fines and even the confiscation of the dog.
If you are the victim of a dog bite, it is important to seek medical attention right away. You may also want to consult with a personal injury lawyer to seek legal advice and explore your options. By understanding the state's dog bite laws, you can protect yourself and others from the potential harm that can result from these incidents.
A dog bite incident can be traumatic, especially for children who may be more vulnerable to serious injuries. If you or your child has been bitten by a dog, it’s important to take the following steps to protect your health, legal rights, and potential injury claim.
Even if the wound appears minor, dog bites can lead to infections, scarring, and other complications. Proper medical care ensures the wound is cleaned, treated, and monitored for signs of infection. Additionally, vaccination records for the dog should be reviewed to rule out rabies or other diseases.
After receiving medical care, report the dog bite incident to local animal control authorities or law enforcement. This step is crucial for public safety, as it helps track potentially dangerous dogs and ensures that local ordinances are enforced.
If possible, collect key details, including:
This information will be valuable if you pursue an injury claim or legal action.
A personal injury attorney with experience in dog bite cases can help you navigate the legal process, determine liability, and seek compensation for damages. They can also assist in dealing with insurance companies that may try to minimize or deny your claim.
Depending on the severity of the attack, victims may require:
In some cases, disfigurement from dog bite injuries can lead to permanent changes in appearance, requiring long-term medical intervention.
Beyond physical injuries, victims—especially children—may experience psychological trauma such as:
Dog bites can cause different types of scars, each with lasting physical and emotional consequences:
Emotional scarring is just as real as physical scarring. Many victims feel self-conscious about their scars, affecting their confidence and quality of life.
Victims of dog bite incidents may benefit from professional therapy to cope with emotional distress. Common treatments include:
In Illinois, dog owners are legally responsible for any medical damages their pet causes. This means that victims can seek compensation for:
A personal injury attorney can assist in filing a lawsuit against the homeowner or dog owner to ensure fair compensation.
There are two primary exceptions where a dog’s owner may not be held liable for damages:
However, in most cases, Illinois strict liability laws ensure that dog owners are responsible for any civil damages their pet causes.
After a dog bite incident, the dog must be reported to local Animal Services and confined for at least 10 days. During this period:
Additionally, certain municipal ordinances require pit bulls and other breeds classified as dangerous dogs to follow stricter containment and licensing rules to protect public safety.
Updates to Illinois dog bite laws
In recent years, the State of Illinois has strengthened its dog bite laws to enhance public safety and hold dog owners accountable for their pets’ actions. The 2016 amendments to the Illinois Animal Control Act introduced new responsibilities for owners following animal bites to ensure proper medical evaluation, identification, and rabies prevention.
Following a dog bite incident, Illinois law requires dog owners or caretakers to:
Failure to comply with these state regulations is considered a criminal offense:
In addition to strict liability laws, the State of Illinois has expanded its legal definitions of dangerous and vicious dogs. The law now includes dogs that attack companion animals under these classifications, increasing the responsibilities for owners of high-risk pets.
Dog owners whose pets are deemed dangerous or vicious must:
To further strengthen public safety, the Illinois Department of Agriculture now maintains the Illinois Dangerous Dog Registry, which provides public access to details about dangerous dogs in their area.
The registry includes key details such as:
A searchable mapping system is also available on the Department of Agriculture’s website, allowing the public to see the locations of all dangerous and vicious dogs within a five-mile radius of a selected address.
Owners must pay annual registration fees to maintain their dog’s listing, with the proceeds funding the operation of the Registry and mapping system.
In strict liability states, dog owners are always responsible for a bite that occurs on public property or when the victim is lawfully on private property. Unless the dog is provoked or the bite victim was trespassing, the owner will generally be required to cover all damages associated with the bite. This is true even if the animal has never bitten before.
With Illinois’ strict liability stance, dog bite victims have a clear path to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These legal protections ensure animal bite victims have the resources they need for physical and emotional recovery while reinforcing owner accountability across the state.
In one bite states, by contrast, dog owners are usually held responsible for a bite only if there was reason to suspect the dog had a propensity to attack. This doesn’t always mean the dog must have actually bitten someone before, but there must be some evidence to suggest a bite could have happened such as aggression or an attack on other animals.
In one bite states, it may be possible for bite victims to recover from dog owners under other legal rules, such as negligence, if they can prove the owner was unreasonably careless–even if the dog hasn’t bitten before. But, recovery under specific dog bite laws isn’t possible unless there was a history of a problem with the animal before the incident occurred.
Find a Chicago-area lawyer today. If you have been injured in a dog attack, it is important to understand your legal rights and to seek legal advice from an experienced dog bite lawyer. A personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the legal process. Contact the law firm of Palermo Law Group today to schedule a free consultation with our team of experts.