Illinois Fatal Dog Attack Lawyers

Compassionate Representation for Families After a Tragic Dog Attack

Fatal dog attacks are rare but devastating events. When they occur, families are left grappling with grief, questions about preventability, and, often, uncertainty about legal responsibility. At John J. Malm & Associates, we understand that the sudden loss of a loved one due to a dog attack is one of the most devastating tragedies a family can endure. Our firm has earned a reputation throughout Illinois for providing compassionate, experienced, and aggressive legal representation in cases involving serious and fatal dog bite injuries. With over 90 years of combined experience, our attorney have helped victims and their families hold negligent dog owners accountable under Illinois law. We are dedicated to seeking justice, financial recovery, and peace of mind for those left behind after such an unimaginable loss.

“Our firm has handled many tragic cases involving dog attacks, and each one serves as a reminder of how preventable these incidents truly are,” says John J. Malm, Naperville dog bite lawyer. “We fight for justice not only to help families recover compensation but also to promote safer communities across Illinois by holding negligent dog owners responsible.”

Understanding the Growing Problem of Fatal Dog Attacks

Dog attacks remain a serious public safety issue in Illinois and across the nation. While many dogs are friendly and well-trained, others can become dangerous when improperly restrained, neglected, or provoked by irresponsible owners. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that an average of 30 to 50 people are killed by dogs each year in the United States. Fatalities often involve powerful breeds and preventable circumstances where owners failed to properly secure their animals.

According to DogsBite.org, a national dog bite victims’ advocacy group, pit bulls and rottweilers accounted for approximately 76% of fatal dog attacks between 2005 and 2022. Illinois consistently ranks among the top states for dog bite-related claims, with State Farm reporting 244 dog-related injury claims in Illinois in 2023, totaling over $15.4 million in payouts, one of the highest in the country.

Fatal dog attacks are rare but catastrophic. Victims are often young children or elderly adults who are unable to defend themselves. In many cases, the fatal encounter involves a dog known to the victim, belonging to a neighbor, relative, or even the victim’s own household.

How Often Do Fatal Dog Attacks Happen in Illinois?

There is no single, regularly published Illinois-only annual tally of dog-bite fatalities, instead, researchers and nonprofits compile national data and local news/agency reports to identify state incidents. Illinois has experienced several fatal dog attacks in recent years, and statewide patterns reflect the national truth: fatalities are rare but often involve specific risk factors that could have been mitigated. DogsBite.org and other databases indicate Illinois is among the states that have recorded multiple fatal dog attacks over the last two decades.

Examples of Illinois fatal or fatality-adjacent incidents reported in recent years:

• Alton (Madison County), January 2025: local news reported a fatal pit bull attack that resulted in the death of a 53-year-old man.
• Chicago/Cicero area, August 2024: a 33-year-old man was found dead from multiple dog bites in a West Side two-flat. The Cook County Medical Examiner ruled the injuries consistent with a dog mauling.
• Ogle County, February 29, 2024: news reports documented the tragic death of a 4-year-old boy mauled by a dog in rural Monroe Center.

These examples show that Illinois fatalities have occurred in urban and rural settings, in homes and on private property, and that victims include adults and children. Each incident is unique, but taken together they point to recurring causes and opportunities for prevention.

Who is at the Highest Risk of a Fatal Dog Attack?

Research and reporting consistently identify groups that face higher risk of suffering severe or fatal dog attacks:

• Children (especially ages 1–9): Young children are disproportionately represented in fatal and severe dog-bite statistics because their height, behavior around dogs, and limited ability to defend themselves or escape make them vulnerable. National reports note that children often account for a substantial share of serious injuries.
• Older adults: Frailty, slower reaction times, and living situations where older people interact with multiple or large dogs increase risk of severe outcomes.
• People living in multi-dog households or near packs of free-roaming dogs: Multiple-dog incidents and pack attacks are more likely to produce severe trauma than single-dog events. Nonprofit trackers have documented a high percentage of multi-dog fatal attacks.

Common Circumstances Leading to Fatal Dog Attacks

Several scenarios are frequently associated with fatal dog attacks in Illinois:

• Unrestrained dogs escaping from yards or homes
• Multiple-dog attacks, where the combined force leads to severe trauma or blood loss
• Attacks involving children, particularly those under age 10
• Negligent owners ignoring prior signs of aggression
• Failure to comply with local leash or confinement laws

Tragic incidents often occur when owners fail to secure their dogs properly, allowing them to roam freely in neighborhoods or near playgrounds. In Illinois, such negligence can create civil liability under the Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/16).

Illinois Dog Bite Laws and Wrongful Death Claims

Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, a dog owner can be held strictly liable when their animal attacks and injures someone who is peacefully conducting themselves in a place they have a right to be. Unlike other states, Illinois law does not require proof of prior aggression or that the owner knew the dog was dangerous.

In cases involving fatal injuries, the victim’s family may pursue a wrongful death claim under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180). Damages may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and society
• Emotional suffering and grief

In addition, a survival action may be brought under the Illinois Survival Act (755 ILCS 5/27-6) to recover for the victim’s pain and suffering prior to death.

Who Is Liable for a Fatal Dog Attack?

Liability in a fatal dog attack can extend beyond the dog’s owner. Depending on the facts, one or more of the following parties may be responsible:

• The dog’s owner or keeper
• A landlord or property owner who knew of a dangerous animal on their premises
• A homeowner or renter whose insurance may provide coverage for dog attacks
• A business or organization if the attack occurred on commercial property

An experienced Illinois dog bite attorney can investigate the circumstances of the attack, identify responsible parties, and pursue all available sources of compensation.

Common Injuries and Causes of Death in Dog Attacks

Fatalities from dog attacks typically result from severe trauma and complications, including:

• Massive blood loss from deep puncture wounds
• Crushing injuries to the neck, head, or chest
• Infections caused by bacteria transmitted through bites
• Airway obstruction when victims are attacked in the neck or face
• Shock and cardiac arrest due to pain or fear response

Children and older adults are especially at risk because of their smaller size, weaker physical strength, and vulnerability to severe tissue damage.

What Families Should Do After a Fatal Dog Attack

After a fatal dog attack, families are often left in shock and grief. However, important steps should be taken immediately to protect legal rights and preserve evidence:

1. Call 911 and report the attack to law enforcement and animal control.
2. Obtain the dog owner’s contact and insurance information.
3. Gather witness statements and photographs of the scene and injuries.
4. Preserve medical and coroner’s reports related to the fatality.
5. Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters before consulting a lawyer.
6. Contact an experienced Illinois dog bite attorney as soon as possible.

A knowledgeable attorney can coordinate investigations, handle communications with insurers, and ensure that responsible parties are held accountable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fatal Dog Attacks in Illinois

Q: How common are fatal dog attacks in Illinois?
A: Fatal dog attacks are uncommon in any single state in a given year, but Illinois has recorded multiple fatal attacks over the past decade. Nationally, CDC data show about 43 dog-related deaths per year on average (2011–2021), and Illinois incidents are part of that national total.

Q: Can the dog owner be criminally charged?
A: Criminal charges are possible but not automatic. Prosecutors may pursue criminal charges if the owner’s conduct was reckless, intentionally harmful, or involved repeated, unaddressed dangerous behavior. Many fatal incidents result instead in civil wrongful death lawsuits.

Q: What compensation can a family seek after a fatal dog attack?
A: In a wrongful death case, families can seek damages for funeral expenses, lost financial support, loss of companionship, and in some circumstances punitive damages if the owner’s behavior was especially reckless. A skilled Illinois attorney can evaluate your case and identify all available claims.

Q: What should I do if a loved one was killed by a dog?
A: Preserve evidence (photos, records), get the coroner and police reports, document communications with animal control, and consult an experienced Illinois personal injury/wrongful death attorney promptly. Timelines and evidence can make a crucial difference in building a case.

How John J. Malm & Associates Can Help After a Dog Attack

If you have lost a loved one or a family member has been fatally injured in a dog attack in Illinois, you do not have to navigate the legal aftermath alone. Our firm can:

• Review police and coroner reports and collect animal-control records.
• Investigate whether the dog had prior complaints or history of aggression.
• Identify all potentially responsible parties (owners, property managers, municipalities) and pursue wrongful death and related claims.
• Coordinate with medical and forensic experts to document causation and damages.

At John J. Malm & Associates, we represent families throughout Illinois in dog bite and wrongful death matters. If you’d like a free, confidential consultation about a fatal dog attack, we can review the known facts and explain your legal options.

Contact the Award-Winning Illinois Fatal Dog Attack Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

Losing a loved one in a dog attack is a life-changing tragedy that no family should ever have to endure. At John J. Malm & Associates, we are committed to helping families find justice, closure, and financial security after such devastating losses. Our experienced team thoroughly investigates each case, works with animal control authorities, and aggressively pursues compensation from all responsible parties.

If you have lost a loved one due to a fatal dog attack in Illinois, do not face this difficult time alone. Contact John J. Malm & Associates today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, explain your rights, and fight to hold negligent dog owners accountable. Call us today to learn how our dedicated Illinois dog bite attorneys can help your family seek justice and rebuild your future.