What is the difference between a dog bite and a dog attack?

A dog bite and a dog attack may sound the same, but they have distinct legal implications in Massachusetts. A dog bite occurs when a dog makes bodily contact, resulting in an injury inflicted by its teeth. This type of injury can range from minor to severe and can involve anything from puncture wounds and scarring to death. On the other hand, a dog attack is a broader term used to describe any and all physical contact initiated by a dog which causes injury. This includes bites but can also include scratching, knocking someone down, or jumping on someone. In some states, a dog is considered to have attacked a person even if no physical contact has been made, such as in cases where a dog has aggressively charged a person and caused fear. In Massachusetts, the law considers a dog bite to be a strict liability offense. This means that the dog owner can be held liable for any and all damages in the form of medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, regardless of whether the dog owner was at fault or not. However, Massachusetts law does not consider a dog attack to be a strict liability offense, meaning that the dog owner can only be held liable if their negligence or failure to control their dog was a factor in the incident.

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What is the difference between a dog bite and a dog attack?

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