Connecticut Dog Bite Laws

Connecticut’s dog bite statute, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357, imposes strict liability upon dog owners. This means that the owner can be held strictly liable for personal injuries or property damages caused by the dog. The bite victim would not be required to prove that the owner was negligent, or that the owner had prior knowledge that the dog could be dangerous. A few exceptions shield owners from liability if, at the time of the bite, the victim was trespassing, committing a tort, or provoking or abusing the dog. These exceptions do not apply if the victim was under the age of 7 years old.