Alabama Dog Bite Laws

Alabama’s dog bite statute, AL Code § 3-6-1, imposes strict liability upon dog owners under certain circumstances. The owner can be held strictly liable for injuries resulting from a dog attack if the victim was attacked either (1) while on the owner’s property, or (2) when the dog chased them off of the owner’s property. The victim can recover damages for bite injuries as well as other injuries resulting from a dog attack more generally. However, if the owner can prove they had no knowledge of the dog’s aggressive tendencies, then they will be liable only for economic damages (for example, medical expenses). Alabama also shields owners from liability if the victim provoked the dog prior to the bite or was trespassing when the bite occurred.

If neither of the above circumstances apply to a given situation, then victims must rely on a different theory in order to recover damages, such as negligence. A negligence claim requires the victim to prove that the owner owed them a duty (here, a duty to exercise reasonable care in keeping the dog under its control), the owner breached that duty, and their injuries were proximately caused by this breach.