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Last Modified on Apr 29, 2026
Dog attacks can be incredibly scary, no matter the age of the victim. Whether your child was attacked by the neighbor’s dog or you were bitten by an animal that should have been on a leash at the park, you may be able to hold the owner liable and recover compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. You can find out what you need to know about dog bite laws in NC below.
Understanding N.C.G.S. 67-4-1
N.C.G.S. 67-4-1 is the primary law governing dangerous dogs and dog attacks in North Carolina. It assigns criminal liability to owners of dangerous dogs who attack people and cause injuries requiring medical treatment in excess of $100. These attacks are considered Class 1 misdemeanors. The same statute also assigns strict liability to the owners of dangerous dogs for civil damages for any injuries or property damage that occurs, including harm to other pets.
North Carolina’s One Bite Rule
The Tar Heel State follows what’s known as the “one-bite rule.” This rule assigns strict liability for animal attacks only after dogs have been deemed dangerous, which is what happens when dogs bite people. If a dog owner’s animal has bitten someone before, that person can be held liable in civil court for any subsequent bites that occur.
There are certain exceptions to the one-bite rule. If you’ve been attacked by a dog without a history of aggression, you should still speak with a lawyer regarding your dog bite claim. Under state law, dog owners can still be held strictly liable for damages caused by their animals if they are running at large at the time of the incident.
What’s Considered a Dangerous Dog?
Dangerous dogs have usually already attacked at least one person in the past. However, there are other reasons that a dog might receive this designation. A dog could be considered dangerous if any of the following are true:
- It has a history of inflicting a severe bite on at least one person.
- It approached a person when not on the owner’s property in a vicious manner with the apparent intent of attacking.
- It killed or inflicted severe injury upon a domestic animal that was not located on the dog owner’s property.
Negligence Theory of Dog Attacks in NC
If the dog that attacked you was considered dangerous, a strict liability policy will apply to your case. Otherwise, you’ll need to recover compensation under a negligence theory. In this case, negligence refers not to the owner’s lack of action but to their wrongful keeping of a vicious dog. To prove negligence, you’ll need to show that:
- The animal was dangerous or ferocious, even if it wasn’t labeled as such.
- The keeper should have known about the dog’s vicious propensity.
You don’t have to prove that the person responsible had ownership of the dog. You only have to prove that they were responsible for keeping and harboring the animal. If the animal’s owner or keeper was in violation of a local statute or ordinance, you can recover damages under the theory of negligence per se.
What to Do After a Dog Attack
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, there are a few steps you should take, whether the animal has a known history of aggression or not. You should:
- Seek medical attention. Your top priority should be to head to a hospital or your doctor’s office, even if the injury doesn’t seem serious. Bites by dogs often become infected and can lead to more serious complications. Plus, you’ll need to get checked out for signs of rabies. For severe dog bite injuries, call 911 or head to the emergency room.
- Report the incident. You have 24 hours to report the incident to the local animal control or health authority. If you’re not sure who to call, call your local law enforcement agency. They can help you determine whether any laws were violated and report it to the relevant authorities.
- Gather evidence. If you can, try to gather some key evidence following the dog bite attack. Take pictures of your injuries before getting them treated, collect contact information from witnesses, and get the dog owner’s information. All of that evidence could help you support your claim should you decide to open a dog bite case.
- Consult an attorney. If you plan on filing a civil claim against the dog owner, your next step should be to consult a dedicated attorney. An experienced dog bite lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options. Working with an attorney is the most effective way to improve your chances of securing fair compensation from the dog’s owner.
Damages Available in Dog Bite Cases
If you’re seeking compensation for your injuries, there are several types of damages you may be able to claim. They include:
- Medical expenses. Medical expenses include not just your current medical bills but also payment for any future treatments you’re expected to require, including doctor’s visits, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
- Lost wages. If your injuries stopped you from working while you were healing, you could be eligible to recover compensation for lost wages. If they could prevent you from returning to your job in the future, you may also be able to secure compensation for lost earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering. Pain and suffering generally include physical pain, emotional distress, and other non-economic damages you’ve suffered as a result of the dog attack.
You have three years from the time of the attack to file a claim against the dog’s owner. Don’t wait until this deadline is approaching to file your claim. Contact a lawyer right away so that all the events remain clear in your mind and any evidence you need is still easily available.
How Common Are Dog Attacks in NC?
In 2024, North Carolina had the eighth-highest number of dog bites to postal workers of all the states in the country. One September 2022 report showed 25 fatal dog bites in the Tar Heel State across the report’s 15-year study period. Across the country, animal attacks prompt 1% of hospital visits, and 40% of injuries to kids are caused by dog bites.
As you can see, these statistics indicate a serious problem with dangerous dogs in North Carolina. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you know that just one dangerous animal is too many. You can hold the owner accountable by filing a dog bite personal injury claim.
FAQs
What Happens in NC if Your Dog Bites Someone?
What happens in NC if your dog bites someone depends on whether it is the first time the animal has attacked a person. North Carolina follows what’s often referred to as the “one bite rule,” which makes owners liable only if they knew their dogs were dangerous, as would be the case if they had previously bitten a person. Strict liability applies if your dog is deemed dangerous.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Dog Bite?
There is no average settlement for a dog bite because every case is unique. If you’ve been bitten, your settlement amount will depend on factors such as the severity of your injuries, whether you’ve suffered any permanent disfigurement, and how skilled your attorney is at negotiating with insurance companies. Whether you can recover damages, to begin with, will depend on who is deemed at fault for the dog attack. If you share the blame, you can’t collect.
Are Doctors Required to Report Dog Bites in North Carolina?
Doctors are required to report dog bites in North Carolina within 24 hours of the patient coming in seeking care under N.C.G.S. 130A-196. The purpose of this mandatory reporting requirement is rabies control, which also necessitates a 10-day quarantine for dogs that bite people to monitor for rabies symptoms. The bite injury victim must also report the incident to the local health department or animal control.
What Is the Protocol if Your Dog Bites Someone?
The protocol if your dog bites someone in NC is to immediately secure the animal and report the incident to your local animal control or health department. You have 24 hours to report the attack. Your dog will then be placed under a mandatory 10-day quarantine to watch for signs of rabies. This quarantine can usually take place at home if your dog is vaccinated, or it could occur at a designated facility.
Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in NC Today
It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been attacked by a pit bull or a poodle. Dogs of all breeds can be dangerous, and you deserve to be compensated for the harm you’ve suffered. You can hire a dog bite lawyer to help you understand dog bite laws in NC and how they apply to your specific case.
The team here at Roberts Law Firm, P.A., has been representing clients across North Carolina for over 40 years. In that time, we’ve taken on countless dog bite cases. We know how to hold dog owners accountable for their improper management of dangerous animals and get you the compensation you need to heal and move forward. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.
