New York Personal Injury Attorneys BlogPublished on:
Major Legal Shift: New York Now Allows Negligence Claims in Dog Bite Cases
In a groundbreaking ruling, the New York Court of Appeals has eliminated a long-standing legal hurdle for dog bite victims. For the first time, individuals injured by dog attacks in New York can file negligence claims against dog owners—even if the animal had no known history of aggression.
A Departure from the Old Standard
Historically, New York law required victims to prove that a dog had “vicious propensities” and that the owner was aware—or should have been aware—of this dangerous behavior. Without clear evidence of prior attacks or threatening conduct, many victims were left with no legal recourse.
