Maurice Vaturi
Senior Counsel
Premises & Other Liability
Toronto Dog Bite Lawyerfor victims of dog bites and dog attacks
Trusted by accident victims and businesses across Ontario
Overview
Ontario's strict liability protects every bite victim from the first incident
If you were bitten by a dog or attacked by a dog in Toronto, our experienced dog bite lawyers are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. At VC Lawyers, our dedicated Toronto dog bite lawyer team represents victims of dog bites, dog attacks, and animal-related injuries across Toronto and throughout Ontario. Under Ontario's strict liability laws, the owner of a dog is responsible for all damages caused by their animal — regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten before. We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win.
Dog bites and attacks cause serious physical and psychological harm that can last a lifetime. Whether you suffered facial scarring, nerve damage, fractures, or severe emotional trauma following a dog bite or attack, our experienced Toronto dog bite lawyers know exactly how to build a strong claim under Ontario's Dog Owners' Liability Act and recover the full compensation you need for your recovery.
Book a free consultation today. Available 24/7.
The DOLA framework
Ontario's Dog Owners' Liability Act and what strict liability really means
Dog bites in Ontario are governed by the Dog Owners' Liability Act (DOLA) — a strict liability statute that provides powerful protections for bite victims across the province. Understanding dog bite liability in Ontario is the foundation of every successful dog bite claim our personal injury lawyers handle.
The Dog Owners' Liability Act states that the owner of a dog is liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack by the dog on another person or domestic animal — regardless of the owner's knowledge of the dog's propensity to bite or any prior history of aggression. This means the “one-bite rule” that applies in some other jurisdictions does not apply in Ontario.
The Dog Owners' Liability Act establishes that a bite victim does not need to prove negligence — only that the dog has an owner and that a bite or attack occurred. This makes Ontario's dog bite law among the most victim-friendly in Canada. Even a singular bite from a dog towards a person — a first incident with no prior history — gives rise to full liability for the dog owner.
Dog owner's liability under DOLA covers not only traditional dog bites but any dog attack or physical harm caused by a dog on another person. If a dog knocked you down, causing a fracture, the owner of the dog is still liable under this legislation. The dog owner is liable for all losses flowing from the dog attack — physical, psychological, and financial.
Ontario dog bites are common and disproportionately affect vulnerable victims. Common victims of dog bites include children, postal workers, delivery workers, and elderly individuals — all of whom our dog bite injury lawyer team regularly represents in dog bite personal injury claims across the Greater Toronto Area.
Common defences
Provocation and trespass rarely defeat dog bite claims
Does provocation affect a dog bite claim? Under the Dog Owners' Liability Act, provocation by the bite victim can reduce the amount of compensation awarded — but it does not eliminate the dog owner's liability entirely. Our dog bite lawyers assess every claim carefully and advise on how provocation arguments may affect your specific case. Importantly, children are rarely found to have provoked the dog in a legally meaningful way. If you did not provoke the dog, no reduction applies.
What if the owner says you trespassed? Unless you were on the owner's property for an unlawful purpose, the owner of a dog still owes you a duty of care. Our Toronto dog bite lawyer team regularly handles cases where dog owners attempt to rely on trespass defences — and we know how to defeat them.
Liability
Who is liable for a dog bite in Ontario
Liability in dog bite cases in Ontario is clear: the owner of a dog that bites or attacks another person is strictly liable for all resulting damages. The Ontario Dog Owners' Liability Act establishes that the owner of the dog bears full legal responsibility — regardless of whether they took control of the dog, whether the dog was leashed, or whether they were present at the time of the bite or attack. Dog bite liability in Ontario extends to:
The registered owner of the dog
Even if the dog was temporarily in someone else's custody or care.A landlord or property owner
Who knowingly permits a dangerous dog to remain on the premises in some circumstances.Multiple owners
Where a dog has more than one registered keeper, all may be liable.
Common injuries
What dog bites and attacks actually cause
Dog bite injuries range from minor puncture wounds to catastrophic trauma that requires multiple surgeries and long-term rehabilitation.
Puncture wounds and lacerations
Often requiring emergency stitches, antibiotics, and follow-up wound care to prevent infection. Even wounds that appear minor can cause significant complications, including serious dog bite infections and nerve damage.Permanent facial scarring and disfigurement
Particularly devastating when on the face, neck, or hands. Serious dog bite injuries involving facial scarring often require multiple rounds of reconstructive plastic surgery and laser revision over many years. Our dog bite personal injury lawyer team works with Toronto's leading plastic surgeons to quantify the full lifetime cost of scar revision and aesthetic treatment.Nerve and tissue damage
A serious dog bite can sever nerves and destroy soft tissue in the bitten area, leading to chronic pain, loss of sensation, or permanent loss of mobility in the affected limb. Serious injuries of this kind require long-term specialist care and give rise to significant compensation in dog bite injury compensation claims.Fractures
Caused by the force of the bite itself or by being knocked to the ground by a large, jumping dog. Serious dog bite cases involving fractures are especially significant for elderly victims, for whom a broken hip or wrist can be life-altering.Psychological trauma
Dog attack cases frequently result in PTSD, severe anxiety, and a lasting fear of dogs — a condition known as cynophobia. Our dog bite lawyers pursue damages for psychological injuries as a core component of every dog bite personal injury claim, not an afterthought.Injuries to children
Children are among the most common victims of dog bites in Ontario. Dog bites are common in residential neighbourhoods, parks, and off-leash areas, and children's smaller size and proximity to the dog's head make facial injuries particularly frequent. Our experienced dog bite lawyers ensure that every aspect of a child's long-term recovery — including scar revision surgeries as the child grows — is accounted for in their compensation.
Talk to us
Every dog bite case deserves a careful look
The first 30-minute consultation is free and confidential. We will tell you within that conversation what your realistic options are — and what to do next.
No fee unless we recover. Home and hospital visits available across the GTA.
Compensation
What you can recover after a dog bite or attack
Dog bite victims may be entitled to significantly more compensation than they initially realize. Dog bite injury compensation in serious cases — particularly those involving children, facial scarring, or permanent nerve damage — can be substantial.
Pain and suffering
For the physical pain and emotional distress of the dog bite or dog attack.Specialized medical care
Plastic surgery, laser therapy, wound care, and psychological counselling.Lost income
If you were unable to work during recovery and income caused by the injury must be replaced.Out-of-pocket expenses
Medications, bandages, and travel to specialists.Future care costs
Awarding compensation to a dog bite victim for all future reconstructive surgery, scar revision, and ongoing psychological support.Family Law Act damages
For family members affected by the bite victim's injuries.Aggravated damages
Where the dog owner's conduct was particularly reckless or negligent.
Key metrics
In the numbers
- Liability under DOLA
- Strict
- Recovered for injury victims
- $30M+
- Available around the clock
- 24/7
- No Fee guarantee
- No Win
Liability under DOLA
Recovered for injury victims
Available around the clock
No Fee guarantee
Case results
Recoveries for dog bite clients
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case turns on its specific facts.
$185,000 — Facial Scarring
Secured for a child bitten by an unleashed dog in a Toronto park; funds covered advanced laser revision surgery and psychological counselling.$110,000 — Nerve Damage Injury
Recovered for a delivery driver whose arm was severely injured by a dog that escaped a fenced yard; covered surgical repair and long-term physiotherapy.$95,000 — Knock-Down Fracture
Settlement for a senior who suffered a broken hip after being knocked down by a large, jumping dog on a public trail in Toronto.
Why VC Lawyers
Why choose VC Lawyers for your dog bite case
When you are a victim of a dog bite or attack in Toronto, you need dog bite lawyers in Toronto who understand the unique legal, medical, and insurance dimensions of these cases.
Strict Liability Specialists
We leverage Ontario's Dog Owners' Liability Act — one of the strongest strict liability statutes in Canada — to hold dog owners fully accountable for every bite, attack, and injury their animal causes, regardless of prior history or owner knowledge.Plastic Surgery and Scar Revision Network
Our legal team works with Toronto's leading plastic surgeons and dermatologists to document and quantify the full lifetime cost of scar revision — ensuring compensation after a dog bite reflects what victims truly need over a lifetime, not just today's medical bills.No Win, No Fee
Our law firm covers all investigation and expert costs upfront. You pay nothing unless we win your dog bite case.$30M+ Recovered for Injury Victims
Our track record in personal injury cases — including dog bite and dog attack cases — across Toronto and Ontario demonstrates our ability to deliver results.24/7 Availability
Dog attacks are terrifying and immediate. Our team is available around the clock to help you take the right steps in the hours following an attack.Multilingual Team
We serve dog bite victims in 8+ languages throughout Toronto and Ontario.
Our team
The lawyers who will handle your case
Dog bite cases require lawyers who understand strict liability, plastic surgery cost projection, and the psychological dimension of these injuries.
Avi Vaturi
Partner
Jae Hyon Cho
Partner
Jun Ki Lee
Associate
Allan Weiss
Associate
Kate Min Kwon
Immigration Consultant
RCIC R529664 · RQIC 11726
Frequently Asked Questions
We answered all
Does the dog need to have bitten before for me to claim?
No. Ontario's Dog Owners' Liability Act establishes strict liability — there is no “one bite rule” in Ontario. The dog owner is liable from the very first bite or attack, regardless of any prior history or the owner's knowledge of the dog's propensity to bite.Can I claim if the dog knocked me down but didn't actually bite me?
Yes. DOLA covers both dog bites and any dog attack that causes injury. If the dog's aggressive behavior caused you to fall, sustain a fracture, or suffer any other dog bite or dog attack injury, the dog owner is liable for your full losses.What if I was on the owner's property when bitten by a dog?
Unless you were on the property for an unlawful purpose, the dog owner is still liable. Our Toronto dog bite lawyers regularly handle cases where owners attempt to rely on trespass defences — event of a dog attack on private property does not eliminate the owner's liability.How much does a dog bite lawyer cost?
Our dog bite lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront fees and no hourly charges.How long do I have to file a dog bite claim?
In Ontario, the general limitation period is 2 years from the date of the bite or attack. However, acting quickly is important — evidence disappears, witnesses move, and municipal animal control records may become more difficult to access. Contact our Toronto dog bite lawyer team immediately after your attack.Do I need a personal injury lawyer for a dog bite case?
Yes. Dog bite victims may receive significantly more compensation when represented by an experienced dog bite personal injury lawyer. Insurance companies representing dog owners actively work to minimize payouts — our dog bite lawyers can help ensure you receive the full compensation you are owed. Contact our personal injury lawyers in Ontario today for a free consultation.
Where we work
Service areas
VC Lawyers serves clients throughout the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Newmarket, and Aurora. We also represent clients across Ontario through video consultations and home/hospital visits when needed.
Languages spoken at the firm include English, Korean (한국어), Hebrew, Mandarin, and others depending on lawyer assignment.
Our office is located at 1110 Finch Avenue West, Suite 310, in North York, with parking and TTC access (Finch West subway and bus connections).
Take the next step
Bitten or attacked by a dog? Don't accept anything before talking to us.
If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog or attacked by a dog anywhere in Toronto or Ontario, do not accept anything from the dog owner or their insurer without first speaking to our experienced Toronto dog bite lawyer team. Our dog bite lawyers can help victims of dog bites and attacks understand their rights, file a personal injury claim, and recover full compensation for every physical, psychological, and financial loss caused by the attack. Contact our Toronto dog bite lawyer team today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Lawyers can help you pursue every dollar of compensation you deserve — and we do it with no upfront fees.
Related practice areas
Continue exploring
/01
Premises & Other Liability
Return to the premises liability hub.
/02
Scarring & Disfigurement
For permanent visible scarring from dog bites.
/03
Pediatric Injuries
Children are among the most common dog bite victims.
/04
Slip and Fall
Other premises-based injury claims.
/05
Occupier's Liability
The general framework that interacts with dog bite law.