How Serious Is a Dog Bite? Levels of Injury and Compensation

Article Summary

• Dog bites can range in severity, from a slight bruise or scratch to injuries that require surgery or even lead to death. 
• The severity of a dog bite, measured by the Dunbar scale, influences the level of compensation a dog bite victim can receive.
• Dog bites don’t just cause physical injury. The trauma of the experience can leave behind emotional scars that may require therapy.
  

No one wants to be bit by a dog. And it’s fair to say that most people don’t even want to almost sustain a dog bite. Close calls, and actual bites, are traumatic experiences that can leave behind emotional and physical scars. 

In Arizona, the state takes dog bites seriously. The state has a strict liability statute that places liability for damages on a dog’s owner without regard for the dog’s previous behavior. That means even if a dog has never bit anyone before, or hasn’t shown aggressive behavior previously, the dog owner is still liable for damages if a bite occurs. 

In addition, the state passed a law that requires dog owners to stay at the scene with the person the dog bit until contact information is exchanged. Failure to exchange contact information would be classified as a Class 2 misdemeanor. 

When a dog bites someone, it is the severity of the bite that first comes into question. How bad is it? An immediate visual assessment may be able to determine whether or not a bite needs immediate attention, but more serious bites likely need professional medical treatment. When it comes to dog bite compensation, it is the severity of the injury that plays an outsized role in the level of compensation an individual is eligible to receive. 

Professionals in the field measure the severity of an injury by using the Dunbar dog bite scale. It was developed by a veterinarian and is used by trainers to inform behavior modification and rehabilitation. 

How Serious Is A Dog Bite?

The Dunbar dog bite scale has six levels of severity. Here’s a look at how the scale breaks down. 

• Level 1 indicates no skin contact, but may signal an aggressive dog or aggressive behavior. 
• Level 2  indicates teeth did touch the skin, but did not break the skin. There may be bruising or minor scratches.
• Level 3 indicates a bite that breaks the skin, includes shallow wounds and may require stitches. 
• Level 4 indicates a bite with deep wounds, specifically the bite includes up to four puncture holes that are deeper than half the length of the animal’s canine teeth. This type of bite may also include deep bruising and might require surgical intervention.
• Level 5 indicates multiple bites that puncture the skin with deep wounds. These bites cause extensive injury and require significant medical treatment.
• Level 6 indicates a fatal bite or one that causes mutilation due to missing flesh. This type of bite could also result in criminal charges for the dog’s owner.

Reviewing the Dunbar dog bite scale is harrowing and is a stark reminder that dog bites can lead to serious consequences, especially if those bites are near the head or face or neck. Generally speaking, dog bite settlement amounts are linked to the severity of the injury an individual sustains in the altercation. That’s why it’s important to understand the dog bite injury severity. 

A dog bite injury lawyer, like the professionals at Torgenson Law, has the experience to walk someone through the process of dog bite compensation. And more importantly, with an Arizona dog bite lawyer handling the negotiations that come along with an injury claim, the person who has been injured can focus on recovery. 

Sometimes recovery is swift as bruises fade and stitches heal. But other times, with more significant injuries, recovery can take time and include not only physical healing but therapy to work through the emotional trauma of the attack. 

No one should navigate a dog bite case alone. The team at Torgenson Law is here to support you through this process, ensuring your best interests are represented. If you or a loved one have experienced a dog bite, reach out to our team today.

No pressure, no upfront costs, just answers from a legal team that takes your recovery personally.