Dog bites can cause severe physical and emotional trauma. If you’ve been injured in a dog attack, Maana Law is here to help you navigate the legal process. Our team has experience in securing compensation for victims of dog bite incidents across Mississauga and surrounding areas.
We represent dog bite victims throughout Mississauga, working to secure fair compensation and ensure that responsible parties are held accountable. Our Mississauga dog bite lawyers provide compassionate, thorough legal representation for all aspects of your case.
Our Mississauga dog bite lawyers work to secure full compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages resulting from dog bite incidents.
We provide personalized legal support, guiding you through every step of the complex legal process to ensure your rights are fully protected.
The first 24 hours after a dog bite determine the strength of your legal claim. Act fast. Evidence disappears, and Ontario’s rules are time-sensitive.
Step 1: Get Medical Help First
Go to Trillium Health Partners Mississauga Hospital or the nearest urgent care clinic. Even minor bites carry infection risk from bacteria like Pasteurella and Capnocytophaga. A medical report also creates official, timestamped proof of your injury. Your lawyer needs this.
Step 2: Identify the Dog and Owner
Get the owner’s full name, address, and phone number. Ask if the dog is vaccinated. If they refuse, note the dog’s breed, colour, size, and the direction they walked. A description is better than nothing.
Step 3: File Two Official Reports
Call Peel Public Health. This is mandatory in Ontario for all animal bites and required for rabies risk assessment. Contact Peel Regional Police. This creates a third-party incident record with date, time, and location locked in.
Step 4: Document the Scene
Take photos of your wounds immediately after the attack. Photograph torn clothing, the location (whether it was Lakefront Promenade, Kariya Park, or a residential street in Streetsville), and any witness contact information. Start a pain journal that same day.
Step 5: Call a Dog Bite Lawyer Before You Speak to Any Insurance Company
Dog owners’ insurers move fast. Anything you say can be used to reduce your payout. Consult Maana Law first. Our team is available 24/7 and your initial consultation is completely free.
Our Mississauga dog bite lawyers manage every detail, from initial consultation to final resolution, providing dedicated guidance and ensuring you have the support you need at every step.
We assess the incident, medical records, and other evidence to create a tailored legal strategy for your case.
Our team gathers essential documents, witness statements, and expert opinions to strengthen your claim.
We handle all negotiations with insurers, advocating for fair compensation for your injuries and related expenses.
If needed, our Mississauga dog bite lawyers are fully prepared to take your case to court, vigorously advocating to secure the full compensation you deserve.
Under Ontario’s Dog Owners’ Liability Act (DOLA), dog owners are strictly liable for any bite or attack their dog causes. You do not need to prove the owner was negligent. You do not need to show the dog had a history of aggression. The fact that the bite happened is enough.
What “Strict Liability” Means Practically
The owner cannot argue: “He has never bitten anyone before.” That defence does not exist under DOLA. Ontario deliberately eliminated the “one free bite” rule that other provinces still use.
Who Counts as an “Owner” Under DOLA?
Anyone in physical possession and control of the dog at the time of the attack is considered an owner. This includes:
Multiple owners are jointly and severally liable, meaning each person can be held fully responsible.
Two Defences Owners May Try
DOLA allows owners to argue reduced liability in two narrow situations:
These defences are difficult to prove and rarely succeed when the victim was in a public space or acting lawfully.
Your Rights Under DOLA
You are entitled to claim for medical expenses, lost income, permanent scarring, psychological trauma, and pain and suffering, regardless of the dog’s prior behaviour or the owner’s awareness of any risk.
Many incidents occur due to owners neglecting to leash their dogs. Our lawyers pursue compensation for injuries caused by unrestrained animals.
Certain breeds pose higher risks when not properly controlled. We hold owners accountable for aggressive behavior resulting in injury.
Failure to warn visitors about a dangerous dog can lead to liability. We fight for victims injured due to lack of proper warnings.
Dogs that escape due to insufficient fencing or restraint pose serious threats. Our lawyers work to secure justice for victims.
Dog bites cause far more than surface wounds. The type and severity of your injury directly affects the compensation you are entitled to claim.
Cuts, Lacerations, and Puncture Wounds
The most immediate injuries. Deep puncture wounds carry a high infection risk because bacteria are pushed beneath the skin surface. Wounds on the hands and forearms are especially common due to a natural defensive reflex.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Nearly 50% of all dog attacks in Canada involve wounds to the face. Facial scarring often requires multiple reconstructive surgeries, which are not fully covered by OHIP. Your claim can include the full cost of plastic surgery, laser treatment, and future revision procedures.
Broken Bones
Dogs, particularly larger breeds, generate enough jaw force to fracture bones. Falls caused by the attack also cause fractures, especially in children and older adults.
Nerve and Tendon Damage
Deep bites on hands, wrists, and forearms frequently damage tendons and nerves. Nerve damage can cause permanent numbness, weakness, or loss of fine motor function.
Infections: Rabies, Tetanus, Capnocytophaga
Rabies is rare but serious. Incubation period is 14 to 60 days. Canada has seen a rise in cases since 2012 according to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety data. Tetanus risk increases with deep puncture wounds. Booster injections are required promptly. Capnocytophaga is a bacteria naturally present in dog saliva. It can cause sepsis in immunocompromised individuals.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a legally compensable injury in Ontario. It is diagnosed in a significant percentage of dog bite victims, particularly those attacked without warning in familiar public spaces like parks in Port Credit or Clarkson.
Dog bite incidents can lead to significant medical, emotional, and financial challenges. Our experienced Mississauga dog bite lawyers work diligently to ensure you pursue the full range of compensation necessary for your complete recovery.
Claim compensation for emergency treatment, surgeries, therapy, and ongoing medical care due to dog bite injuries.
Secure compensation for income lost during recovery, as well as any potential reduction in future earning capacity.
Recover costs for any personal property damaged in the incident, including clothing, electronics, or other personal items.
We seek compensation for the physical and emotional trauma associated with dog bites, ensuring you receive a fair settlement.
Dog bites are not rare events. The data shows a consistent, growing problem across Ontario, and the Peel Region is not exempt.
These numbers are not statistics about strangers. Many of these incidents happen during routine daily activities including walking through Lakefront Promenade, cycling near the Credit River Trail, or visiting a neighbour’s home in Streetsville or Port Credit.
Most people assume suing a dog owner means taking money from their personal savings. It does not.
Homeowner’s and Tenant’s Insurance Covers Most Claims
In Ontario, standard homeowner’s and tenant’s insurance policies include personal liability coverage, and dog bite incidents fall under this coverage. When you file a claim, it is directed at the owner’s insurance policy, not their bank account. Filing a claim against a neighbour’s or friend’s insurance is not suing them personally. It is accessing coverage they have been paying premiums for.
What If the Dog Owner Has No Insurance?
If the owner carries no homeowner’s or tenant’s insurance, a civil judgment can be obtained against them personally. This is a more complex route but still viable. Our team investigates coverage before your claim proceeds.
The “One Bite” Clause: Know This
Some insurers include a canine exclusion clause after paying out a first claim. This does not affect your right to compensation. It affects the owner’s future coverage. Your lawyer’s job is to pursue the available policy before those clauses trigger.
Never Speak to the Dog Owner’s Insurance Adjuster Alone
Insurance adjusters work to minimize payouts. An offhand comment about “not feeling too bad” or “probably being fine” can reduce your settlement significantly. Always have legal representation before any contact with an insurer.
Seek medical attention immediately, document the scene, and obtain contact details of the dog’s owner. Contact an Mississauga dog bite lawyer to help you navigate the next steps.
A lawyer provides guidance, gathers evidence, negotiates with insurers, and advocates for full compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and emotional distress.
Compensation can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any property damage. An Mississauga dog bite lawyer can help you identify all potential claims.
Generally, you have two years from the date of the incident to file a claim. Consulting with an Mississauga dog bite lawyer early ensures you meet all necessary deadlines.
Yes, private property incidents are still eligible for claims, especially if the owner failed to control or warn others about the dog.
Most cases settle out of court, but if a fair settlement can’t be reached, our Mississauga dog bite lawyers are prepared to represent you in court.
Yes, you can seek compensation for medical expenses through a dog bite lawyer like Maana law in mississauga. At Maana Law, our team helps you recover all out-of-pocket medical costs doctor visits, prescriptions, physiotherapy, travel, and more that OHIP doesn’t cover.
Under Ontario’s Dog Owners’ Liability Act, dog owners are strictly liable meaning they’re responsible regardless of negligence. Maana Law ensures liability is applied correctly, unless the victim provoked the dog or trespassed.
Compensation depends on injury severity and losses:
Minor bites: typically CAD 3,000–10,000
Severe injuries: can reach hundreds of thousands, even close to 1 million CAD
We pursue full recovery for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, scarring, and future care needs
Our experience aligns with Ontario trends: most cases fall between $3K–10K, while serious conditions may see compensation near $1M, especially for lasting trauma .
We classify a bite as serious if it causes deep wounds, infections, nerve or tendon damage, permanent scarring, disfigurement, or sustained psychological trauma like PTSD.
A minor bite is superficial light scratches or bruises, minimal bleeding, no stitches needed, and full healing without long‑term effects.
Suffering from a dog bite can be an overwhelming and distressing experience. The pain of the injury, the fear of potential infection, and the uncertainty of navigating legal and medical
Understanding Liability in Dog Bite Cases When a dog bite occurs, questions of liability and responsibility often arise. Understanding who is legally responsible for the incident is key to seeking
Steps to Take Immediately After a Dog Bite Incident Experiencing a dog bite can be alarming and confusing. Knowing what to do immediately afterward is essential to protect your health,
Manna Law is located at 90 Matheson Blvd W Suite 101, Mississauga, ON L5R 3R3, Canada.
If you would like to visit our law office and are traveling by bus from downtown Mississauga, take the MiWay Bus to Square One Terminal. Then, walk west (around 5-7 minutes) to reach our office at 90 Matheson Blvd W. The approximate travel time is about 20-30 minutes.
If you are traveling by car from downtown Mississauga, head west on Dundas Street towards Hurontario Street. Turn right onto Hurontario Street, continue for a short distance, and our office will be on your left. The approximate travel time is about 5-10 minutes (depending on traffic).
We are available 24/7.
For additional questions, you can call us at +1 437-979-4878 or check our reviews on Google.
