Dog Bites
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357 — the owner or keeper is liable for the damage a dog does, with the exceptions the section names
If any dog damages the body or property of any person, the owner, the keeper, or both are liable for the amount of the damage.
Who handles this in Connecticut: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Connecticut directory.
- Not when the person hurt was committing a trespass or other tort, or teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog.
- A child under seven years of age is presumed not to have been doing any of those, and the owner has to prove otherwise.
- Where the owner or keeper is a minor, the parent or guardian is liable.
- Property includes a companion animal, and the damage includes veterinary care, the animal's value and burial expenses.
Sources for this section (1)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357 — Damage by dogs to person or property
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Connecticut attorney.