Dog attacks in Texas produce some of the most traumatic injuries we handle — particularly when the victim is a child. Deep puncture wounds, nerve damage, permanent scarring, and lasting fear of animals are common, and the medical bills add up fast.
Texas dog bite law is more nuanced than the "one free bite" cliché. Owners can be liable under several overlapping theories, and the homeowners' insurance policy — not the owner's personal wallet — is almost always what actually pays.
How Texas dog bite law actually works
There are typically four ways to establish owner liability in a Texas dog bite case:
- Common-law strict liability if the dog had prior bites or known dangerous propensities
- Negligence — failing to use reasonable care to control the dog
- Negligence per se — violating a leash law or local animal-control ordinance
- Negligent handling by someone other than the owner (a walker, sitter, host)
Common injuries in Texas dog bite cases
- Puncture wounds and deep lacerations
- Crush injuries to small body parts
- Nerve damage and loss of function
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Infection (Capnocytophaga, MRSA, sepsis)
- PTSD and lasting fear of animals — especially in children
- Reconstructive surgery
- Rabies exposure protocol
Compensation we pursue
- Past and future medical care
- Reconstructive surgery costs
- Mental health treatment (especially for child victims)
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement damages
- Lost wages
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
What to do after a dog bite in Houston
- Seek medical attention immediately. Dog bite wounds — even minor-looking ones — have high infection risk.
- Report the bite to BARC (City of Houston animal control) or your county's equivalent. Texas law requires bite reporting; the report creates the official record.
- Get the owner's information — name, address, homeowners' insurance carrier if possible.
- Document the injury with photos, immediately and through healing.
- Don't sign a release from the owner or their insurer until a lawyer reviews it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Texas a strict-liability state for dog bites?
No. Texas follows a modified "one-bite rule" under Marshall v. Ranne, 511 S.W.2d 255 (Tex. 1974). An owner is liable if they knew or should have known the dog had dangerous propensities. Owners are also liable under negligence theories — including negligence per se when leash laws or local ordinances are violated.
Who pays a Texas dog bite claim?
Most homeowners' and renters' insurance policies in Texas include liability coverage for dog bites, with typical limits between $100,000 and $300,000. Some policies exclude certain breeds. Identifying the right policy is part of the first phase of the case.
My child was bitten by a friend's family dog. Do I really have to sue?
The lawsuit is almost always against the homeowners' insurance policy, not your friend personally. Texas families regularly resolve these claims through the carrier without anyone paying out of pocket. The friendship typically survives — the medical bills and scar treatment, if not pursued, do not.
What if I was bitten on someone else's property?
Multiple parties can be liable — the dog owner, the property owner (if different), and potentially a property manager. See our Premises Liability page for related claims.