Illinois Dog Bite Laws

Illinois’s dog bite statute, 510 ILCS 5/13, imposes strict liability upon dog owners. This means that the owner is responsible when their dog injures another person, regardless of whether or not the owner acted negligently. The statute covers more than just bites – it covers dog attacks that resulted in injuries (for example, a laceration caused by a dog’s scratch). A person would qualify as the “owner” if they either owned or had custody or control over the dog.