Why Don’t Some Dog Owners Seem Remorseful After Their Dog Bites Someone?

When a dog bites, the immediate human reaction is often shock, pain and worry about infection and long-term injury. What many victims find just as upsetting, sometimes more so than the injury itself, is the reaction of the dog’s owner: denial, minimization, defensiveness, or even silence. That lack of remorse is not always about callousness. It’s complicated, shaped by psychology, social identity, misinformation, and sometimes fear of legal or financial consequences. In this blog, we unpack the most common reasons owners respond the way they do and practical steps victims can take after being bitten by a dog.

“Victims deserve accountability and clear, immediate steps from owners after a bite. Too often the emotional bond between people and their dogs clouds judgment, but responsible ownership means prioritizing safety and transparency when harm occurs.” — John J. Malm, Naperville dog bite attorney

The Scale of Dog Attacks in the United States

Dog bites are a persistent public-health issue. According to the CDC, between 2011 and 2021, 468 deaths from being bitten or struck by a dog were recorded in the U.S., an average of about 43 deaths per year, while annual deaths ranged from 31 to 81 during that period. These fatalities are only the most extreme end of a much larger set of non-fatal injuries and hospital visits resulting from dog attacks.

Many bites never make it into official statistics. Studies and reviews suggest a substantial underreporting problem, with one frequently cited estimate that only about 10–30% (or conversely, 50–90% unreported in some estimates) of dog bites are captured in formal data sources, meaning the real number of bite incidents each year is far higher than the records show.

Why Dog Owners Downplay or Deny Bites

Several psychological and social factors make it difficult for some owners to accept that their dog could harm another person.

Cognitive dissonance and the human-animal bond. Owners often form deep emotional attachments to their pets. When a beloved animal causes harm, owners face a painful contradiction: the dog they love is capable of hurting someone. To reduce that cognitive dissonance, owners may deny the severity of the bite, rationalize the dog’s behavior, or blame the victim (e.g., “they provoked the dog”). Academic work on the strength of the dog–owner bond shows how powerful these attachments are and how they affect owners’ interpretation of dog behavior.
Anthropomorphism and “Lassie syndrome.” Many people anthropomorphize their dogs, attributing human motives like loyalty and protectiveness. which can make aggressive actions seem out of character and therefore dismissed. Articles and advocacy pieces describe “owner denial” as a leading contributor to repeated incidents because owners interpret aggression as an anomaly rather than a warning sign.
Misreading dog body language. Research shows that owners frequently misinterpret stress signals and early signs of canine discomfort, believing their dog is “fine” when it is actually stressed or fearful. That misunderstanding can cause owners to shrug off an incident instead of taking it seriously and seeking behavioral help.

Practical Obstacles That Look Like Indifference

Not all non-remorseful responses are emotional. Sometimes practical incentives or fears lead to behaviors that victims interpret as coldness.

Fear of legal or financial consequences. Admitting fault or expressing strong remorse can be interpreted as an admission of liability. Owners worried about lawsuits, insurance claims, having to pay medical bills, or losing their pet may react defensively or avoid discussion entirely. This is particularly common when owners lack homeowners’ or renters’ insurance that covers dog bites.
Embarrassment and social stigma. Owners may feel ashamed and prefer to minimize the event rather than discuss it, not because they don’t care, but because facing neighbors, friends or authorities feels unbearable.
Lack of knowledge about legal obligations. Some owners genuinely do not know what they must do after a bite (reporting rules, quarantine or rabies protocol, exchange of information), so their silence looks like indifference but may stem from ignorance.

Cultural and Identity Factors

Pet ownership can become part of a person’s identity. Reminding an owner that their pet is dangerous challenges that identity. In some communities, certain breeds are associated with status, which increases resistance to admitting a problem. In other cases, owners from multi-dog households may feel overwhelmed and less able to control or monitor each animal.

Consequences of Owner Denial After an Attack

Owner minimization can lead to repeated incidents, delayed medical care for bite victims, and difficulty collecting evidence if a legal claim is necessary. Underreporting also hinders public health responses and education efforts aimed at preventing future bites.

What Victims Can Expect and What Owners Should Do After a Dog Bite

When a bite occurs, immediate, clear steps must be taken to protect health and legal rights. Owners who act responsibly not only help the victim but also reduce their own potential liability.

For victims:
- Clean the wound and seek medical care. Infections from dog bites can be severe.
- Get the owner’s contact and vaccination info and take photos of wounds and the scene.
- Get witness names and contact info.
- Report the bite to local authorities or animal control to create an official record.
- Contact an experienced Illinois dog bite attorney.
For owners:
- Remove and secure your dog from the area to prevent further injury.
- Exchange contact and vaccination information with the victim.
- Encourage the victim to seek medical attention promptly.
- Notify local animal control or police if required by local law.
- Contact your veterinarian and document any relevant medical history for the dog.
- Report the incident to your insurance company, as transparency helps manage claims properly.

Preventing Future Bites

Prevention requires both owner education and public awareness:

Owners should learn to read canine stress signals and seek professional behavior help at the first sign of reactivity.
Communities should support leash laws, responsible breeding and spay/neuter programs, and public education campaigns on interacting safely with dogs.
Employers (like USPS and Amazon) and public services should continue training and provide resources for people who regularly interact with dogs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites

Q: Do most dog owners mean to cause harm when their dog bites?
A: No. Most dog bites happen because of misunderstanding, fear, resource guarding, or improper supervision, not malicious intent. However, intent doesn’t remove responsibility, owners are typically liable under civil laws and should act responsibly.

Q: Why might an owner not help after a bite?
A: Reasons include denial, fear of legal/financial consequences, embarrassment, or lack of knowledge about the correct steps to take. Some owners may also genuinely misread the severity of the event due to strong emotional bonds with their dog.

Q: If a dog owner denies responsibility, what can a victim do?
A: Collect as much evidence as possible (photos, witness statements, medical records), report the attack to the police and animal control, and speak with an attorney experienced in dog bite injury cases to understand rights and next steps.

Contact the 5-Star Rated Illinois Dog Bite Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a dog bite, you should not have to face the physical, emotional, and financial fallout alone, especially when the dog’s owner refuses to take responsibility. At John J. Malm & Associates, we understand the toll a serious dog attack can take, and we have successfully helped victims across Illinois secure the compensation they deserve. Our team of dedicated Illinois dog attack attorneys will investigate the circumstances of the bite, hold negligent owners accountable, and fight to recover damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Don’t wait to protect your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our experienced Illinois dog bite attorneys.