Dog Bite Injury Statistics in Connecticut

The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different, and the law surrounding dog bite claims is nuanced. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Speak with a licensed Connecticut attorney to evaluate the specific facts of your case.

Connecticut is a strict liability state, meaning a dog owner or keeper can generally be held responsible for a bite injury under Connecticut General Statutes § 22-357 without the victim having to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. That single rule shapes how most Connecticut dog bite claims are evaluated, and it's part of why the state consistently ranks among the more expensive places in the country to settle a dog bite case. At Goff Law Group, our Connecticut personal injury attorneys have represented clients across the state, including a $225,000 settlement for a client who sustained injuries as a result of a dog bite, and we know how to build these claims from the ground up.

Below, we break down what the current data shows about dog bites in Connecticut and nationally, what the law says, and what steps generally protect a victim's right to recover compensation.

How Common Are Dog Bites in Connecticut?

Dog bites are a persistent public health issue nationwide, and Connecticut is not an exception. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States every year. Recent national data points to just how often those bites require medical treatment:

• Roughly 395,000 people nationwide sought emergency room treatment for dog bite injuries in 2022, according to CDC WISQARS data cited in public health reporting.
• Most bite victims are children, and boys between the ages of 5 and 9 have historically been bitten at the highest rates, based on CDC emergency department surveillance.
• An Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) analysis found that dog bite-related hospitalizations carry an average cost of about $18,200, roughly 50% higher than the average injury-related hospital stay.

Connecticut does not publish a single statewide dog bite injury count the way some larger states do, but the state's insurance claims data (below) suggests bites here tend to be serious enough to generate above-average payouts.

Connecticut vs. National Dog Bite Claim Costs

Insurance claims data offer one of the clearest pictures of how serious dog bite injuries tend to be. According to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), which tracks homeowners' insurance claims nationwide with State Farm:
U.S. insurers paid out $1.86 billion in dog bite and dog-related injury liability claims in 2025, up from roughly $1.6 billion in 2024.

Nationwide, the number of dog bite claims rose to 28,450 in 2025, a 25.6% increase over the prior year.
New York recorded the highest average cost per claim in the country, followed by Connecticut, both of which outpaced the national average.

This means Connecticut claims, while fewer in raw numbers than states like California or Florida, tend to settle or resolve for higher amounts on average. That pattern generally reflects the severity of injuries being reported rather than a higher volume of bites.

What Is Connecticut's Dog Bite Law?

Connecticut's dog bite law is a strict liability statute. Under CGS § 22-357, a dog's owner or keeper is generally liable for damage the dog causes to a person's body or property, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog had ever behaved aggressively before. This is different from ordinary negligence claims, where an injured person typically has to show the other party failed to exercise reasonable care.

• Two main exceptions can affect liability under the statute:
• The victim was trespassing or committing another tort at the time of the injury.
• The victim was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog.

Connecticut law also presumes that a child under seven years old was not trespassing or provoking the dog, which offers added protection to young victims in these cases.

Common Injuries From Dog Bites

Dog bite injuries range from minor to catastrophic, and the physical and emotional impact often outlasts the initial wound. Common injuries our dog bite attorneys see include:

• Deep lacerations and puncture wounds requiring stitches or surgical repair
• Nerve, tendon, or muscle damage, particularly in bites to the hands or arms
• Facial injuries and permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Bacterial infections, which can develop even after a wound is treated
• Psychological effects, including anxiety or a lasting fear of dogs, especially in child victims

Because bite wounds carry a meaningful infection risk, medical evaluation is important even when an injury initially looks minor.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite in Connecticut?

In most cases, the dog's owner or keeper is the party held liable under CGS § 22-357. "Keeper" can include someone who was caring for or in control of the dog at the time of the bite, even if they don't legally own it. Outside the statute, Connecticut courts have also recognized that a landlord may bear some responsibility in certain situations, such as when a landlord knew a tenant's dog had shown aggressive tendencies and failed to act. Liability questions like these are fact-specific, and identifying every potentially responsible party is often a key part of building a claim.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Connecticut

The steps a victim takes in the hours and days after a dog bite can meaningfully affect a future claim. Generally, it's worth taking the following steps if you're able to:

• Seek medical attention, even for a bite that looks minor, to address infection risk and document the injury.
• Report the incident to local animal control or police so there is an official record.
• Get the dog owner's contact and insurance information, along with the dog's vaccination history if available.
• Photograph the injury, the location, and any visible property damage.
• Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with an attorney.

Conclusion

Dog bite claims can involve serious injuries, complicated liability questions, and insurance companies that are often reluctant to pay full value. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, the attorneys at Goff Law Group are available to review the facts of your case in a free consultation. Call (203) 399-0000 or reach out online to talk with our personal injury team about your options.