Are Illinois Property Owners Doing Enough to Prevent Dog Attacks?

Dog attacks and bites remain a significant public safety and legal issue in Illinois. While dogs are beloved companions for millions of households, preventable dog attacks can lead to severe physical injury, emotional trauma, and substantial financial loss for victims. If you or a loved one has suffered a dog attack due to someone else’s negligence, prompt legal action can make a crucial difference in protecting your rights and securing the recovery you deserve.

In this blog, we analyze whether property owners and dog owners in Illinois are doing enough to prevent dog attacks, relevant statistics, the law governing liability, and how victims can seek justice.

The Scope and Impact of Dog Attacks

Dog attacks are more common than many people realize in the United States and in Illinois:

Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 4.7 million dog bites occur each year in the U.S., with more than 800,000 victims requiring medical care. Nearly 1,000 people seek emergency treatment for dog bite injuries every day.
Dog bite and animal-related injuries account for more than one third of all homeowners’ liability claim dollars paid out nationwide, illustrating the financial burden these incidents impose on victims and insurers alike.
Illinois has consistently ranked among the top states in the country for dog bite insurance claims, with tens of thousands of dollars in average claim values and hundreds of reported incidents.
Postal service data shows Illinois ranked fourth in the nation for dog attacks on mail carriers, with 344 reported attacks in 2024.

These figures highlight that dog attacks remain a serious concern, especially when dogs are not properly controlled or when property owners fail to prevent foreseeable harm to visitors and neighbors.

Illinois Law: Strict Liability and Property Owner Duties

Dog Owner Liability

Under Illinois law, dog owners are generally strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs without regard to prior history of aggression. This means:

Owners are liable for dog bites or attacks even if the dog has never bitten before.
Strict liability applies as long as the victim was “lawfully” present when the attack occurred and did not provoke the dog.
Illinois does not follow the “one bite rule,” which some other states apply to limit liability for first-time incidents.

This statutory framework is intended to encourage responsible dog ownership and tight control of animals. However, strict liability for dog owners does not automatically absolve property owners of responsibility in certain circumstances.

Property and Premises Liability

Property owners, including landlords, business owners, and homeowners, may also bear responsibility if they:

Knew or reasonably should have known about a dangerous dog on their property, or
Failed to take reasonable steps to control or warn lawful visitors of the risk.

Under the Illinois Premises Liability Act, landowners have a duty to maintain safe conditions for those lawfully on their premises. If a property owner, for example, continues to allow an aggressive dog to roam unfenced in common areas or fails to enforce leash policies, they could face legal exposure for resulting injuries.

As John J. Malm, top Naperville dog bite lawyer explains:

“Dog bites are preventable. And when a landowner has knowledge of a dangerous condition and fails to act, whether it’s a loose stair, faulty railing, or an aggressive animal, the law is clear: they can and should be held responsible.”

This underscores that negligent conduct, not simply animal ownership, can create legal liability.

Are Property Owners Doing Enough?

Despite legal duties and strict liability standards, several factors suggest that many property owners may not be doing enough to prevent dog attacks:

Common Gaps in Prevention

Lack of Secure Barriers: Some properties lack adequate fencing or secure containment for dogs, increasing the risk of escapes and unprovoked encounters.
Insufficient Leashing Practices: Even where leash laws exist locally, enforcement and compliance vary widely, leading to uncontrolled animals in public areas and common spaces.
Inadequate Warnings or Policies: Failure to post warnings or establish clear rules regarding pets in rental communities, shared spaces, and public-facing businesses undermines safety.
Limited Owner Awareness: Some dog owners may not fully understand their legal obligations or the potential consequences of failing to control an animal responsibly.

These gaps are not merely theoretical. Reports of injuries often involve dogs escaping unfenced yards, dogs off-leash in parks and sidewalks, or negligent pet owners failing to intervene despite earlier aggressive behavior. In many cases, neighbors, visitors, and even postal workers become unintended victims.

The Human Toll of Dog Attacks

The consequences of dog attacks extend beyond immediate physical injuries:

Physical Injuries

Dog bites and attacks can cause:

Puncture wounds and lacerations requiring stitches or surgery
Scratches, nerve damage, and broken bones from biting or knockdowns
Facial or head trauma, particularly severe for children and vulnerable adults

Emotional and Psychological Effects

Victims often experience long-term emotional trauma, including:

Anxiety or phobias related to dogs
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Avoidance behaviors affecting quality of life

Financial Impact

Medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation expenses, and other costs can create significant financial strain. Insurance settlements may cover some costs, but policy limits and exclusions often leave victims with shortfalls.

What Should Property Owners Do?

To reduce the number of preventable dog attacks, property owners and dog owners alike should consider these best practices:

Responsible Dog Containment

Ensure fences and yards are secure to prevent escapes.
Use leashes and restraints consistently, especially in shared spaces.

Clear Communication and Policies

Post visible warnings where dogs are present.
Implement and enforce leash and supervision policies in rental communities and businesses.

Owner Education

Encourage or require dog training and socialization.
Provide information to residents and visitors about legal obligations and safe behavior around animals.

Regular Risk Assessment

Address known aggressive tendencies promptly, including professional training.
Modify environments that pose foreseeable dangers to visitors.

By prioritizing these measures, property owners help fulfill their legal obligations and, more importantly, reduce the risk of serious injury to others.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dog Attacks

Q: Who is liable if a dog attacks someone in Illinois?
A: Under Illinois law, the dog owner is generally strictly liable when their dog bites or attacks someone lawfully on the property, regardless of prior aggressive behavior. Additional parties, like property owners, may be liable under premises liability law if they failed to address known risks.

Q: Can a landlord be held responsible for a tenant’s dog bite?
A: Yes, but only if the landlord knew (or should have known) of the dog’s dangerous behavior and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent harm in areas under the landlord’s control.

Q: Does Illinois follow the ‘one bite’ rule?
A: No. Illinois imposes strict liability, meaning owners can be liable even for a dog’s first attack if the victim was lawfully present and did not provoke the dog.

Q: What should I do after a dog attack?
A: Seek prompt medical care, report the incident to local health authorities, document injuries and circumstances, and consult an experienced Illinois dog bite attorney to preserve your legal rights.

Q: Are there exceptions to liability?
A: Yes. Owners may not be liable if the victim was trespassing, provoked the dog, or engaged in illegal activity at the time of the attack.

Contact the Experienced Illinois Dog Attack Injury Attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates

While Illinois law provides strong protections for dog bite victims, statistics and real-world incidents indicate that property owners and dog owners could be doing more to prevent dog attacks. Effective containment, clear communication, and vigilant enforcement of safety policies are essential to reducing these dangerous and often preventable events.

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a dog attack, do not navigate the legal process alone. Contact John J. Malm & Associates today for a consultation. Our trusted Illinois dog bite lawyers can help you understand your rights, document your claim, and pursue the full compensation to which you are entitled. Your recovery and peace of mind are our priority.