Washington Dog Bite Lawyer

Washington’s dog bite statute, Wash. Rev. Code § 16.08.040, imposes strict liability upon dog owners under certain circumstances. An owner will be held strictly liable for any damages that are caused by their dog biting a person who is either in a public place or lawfully in a private place. There are two exceptions where the owner will not be held strictly liable, including situations where the victim was either trespassing or provoking the dog at the time of the bite. Washington’s statute specifically states that whether or not the owner knew that the dog had any prior vicious propensities is irrelevant for purposes of determining their liability.