How Pennsylvania Leash Laws Protect Bite Victims and Dog Owners

Pennsylvania’s dog confinement laws have specific requirements for how dogs must be housed and confined when not in a licensed kennel. These regulations aim to protect you and the dog from potential harm.

At Schmidt Kramer, our experienced dog bite attorneys in Harrisburg help both victims seeking compensation and responsible pet owners dealing with liability issues related to confinement violations. Our team has successfully represented clients suffering from injuries, including those in dog bite accidents. This proven history includes a $125,000 settlement we recovered for a victim of a dog bite. We work tirelessly to ensure our clients receive the legal guidance and justice they deserve.

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What Are the Rules for Keeping Dogs Confined in Pennsylvania?

Confinement laws require all dogs not in a licensed kennel to be confined within the owner’s property or securely restrained with a collar and leash when outdoors. The dog should always be under the control of the owner or another party during events such as lawful hunting, exhibitions, performance events, or field training. This ensures that dogs remain contained and supervised at all times. Violations of these requirements can result in citations, fines, and potentially more severe penalties, depending on the circumstances and whether the violation constitutes animal cruelty.

How Do Pennsylvania’s Leash Laws Affect Owners and Bite Victims?

For dog owners in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s dog confinement laws set clear legal responsibilities that go beyond basic care. If a dog is not properly confined according to these specifications and causes injury to someone, the owner could face significant liability. This law establishes a standard of care that, when violated, can be used to prove negligence in personal injury cases, potentially leading to financial responsibility for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from a dog bite or attack.

These leash laws provide powerful legal leverage for bite victims when seeking compensation. If you have been injured by a dog that was not correctly confined, the law creates a strong foundation for your claim. This is particularly important in dog bite cases, where the owner often must demonstrate that they knew or should have known their dog could cause harm or that animal control laws were violated.

Who Is Liable For Dog Bite Accidents in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania operates under a mixed liability system for dog bite cases, combining elements of strict liability and negligence principles. A dog owners is strictly liable for any medical costs if their dog bites and injures someone, regardless of the dog’s history or the owner’s knowledge of aggressive tendencies.

Can Dog Bite Victims Recover Additional Damages?

Victims may be able to recove additional damages for dog bites but they must first be able to prove the dog owner was negligent in some way.  Negligence might exist, for instance, if a dog owner:

• Violated Pennsylvania leash laws by allowing the dog to roam freely
• Knew or should have known the dog had a dangerous or aggressive nature
• The dog attacked an individual, and that attack directly resulted in injuries and other damages

Owners who let their dogs roam freely, fail to secure them properly on their property, or house them in prohibited containers could face citations from animal control and increased liability for additional damages.

How To Prove A Dog Was Improperly Confined

Proving a dog was improperly confined under leash laws requires documenting the dog owner’s breach of duty of care. Evidence collection should begin immediately after an incident, as this documentation forms the foundation of your liability claim.

• Photograph or video the dog’s confinement situation showing it was outside the owner’s premises without restraint
• Obtain statements from witnesses who observed the dog roaming freely before the incident
• Obtain animal control reports of previous dog-related violations or complaints
• Document injuries sustained in the dog bite attack through medical records and photos
• Collect evidence of absence of proper restraints (missing fences, broken leashes, inadequate barriers)
• Obtain footage from nearby properties showing the dog’s lack of confinement
• Preserve torn clothing or damaged property resulting from the encounter

What Should I Do First After Being Bitten by a Dog in Harrisburg?

After a dog bite, taking prompt actions can significantly strengthen your claim while ensuring you receive proper medical treatment.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Seek immediate medical care, as even minor dog bites can cause serious infections. Your visit will be documented in your medical recrods, creating an official record that helps to link your injuries to the incident that caused them.

Identify the Dog and Secure Information

Obtain the owner’s contact information and the dog’s vaccination history and rabies status. Report the incident to Harrisburg Animal Control and local police to create an official record of the attack.

Document Everything

Note the exact location, time, and circumstances of the bite, including whether the dog was properly confined. Once your injuries have been treated and stabilized, see if someone can take clear photos of your injuries and the location of the incident. If possible, try to capture images or other evidence that supports your claim of improper confinement. This might include broken restraints or gaps in fencing.

Gather Witness Statements

Collect names and contact information from anyone who witnessed the attack or knows about the dog’s previous behavior or confinement conditions. Pay special attention to anything that violates Pennsylvania’s dog confinement requirements.

Injured In A Dog Bite Accident? Contact Our Trusted Law Firm

Pennsylvania’s leash laws protect both responsible pet owners and dog bite victims. Owners who fail to secure their dogs properly could face significant liability for any resulting injuries.

At Schmidt Kramer, our experienced Harrisburg attorneys know how to investigate dog bite cases and identify violations of Pennsylvania leash confinement laws that prove owner negligence. Our legal team has secured favorable compensation for countless injured victims throughout Harisburg. Deadline’s apply, so we do not recommend waiting to protect your rights after a dog bite injury. Contact our office today at for a free consultation or complete our online form to have an attorney evaluate your case.

Experienced Lawyers. Proven Results. Call:717-727-2500 today.