White Plains Dog Bite Attorneys | Billy Cooper Law

Animal Attack Lawyers Serving Westchester County, the Bronx, Rockland County & NYC

Dogs are part of the family for millions of people. But even the friendliest dog can bite without warning, and when it does, the injuries can be serious, disfiguring, and deeply traumatic. Victims are often children, delivery drivers, visitors, or neighbors who did nothing wrong—and suddenly find themselves in the emergency room, facing stitches, surgery, infection risk, and time off work.

At Billy Cooper Law, our White Plains dog bite attorneys represent people who have been injured in dog attacks and other animal attacks across Westchester County, the Bronx, Rockland County, and the greater New York City area. We help clients secure the medical care, financial compensation, and long-term support they need to move forward.

If you were bitten by a dog or attacked by another domestic animal, you shouldn’t be stuck with the medical bills, lost income, or emotional fallout. We’re here to make sure you aren’t.

A Generational Understanding of Property Law and Personal Injury Rights

Dog bite cases in New York sit at the intersection of strict liability statutes, property law frameworks, and aggressive trial advocacy for injury victims. At Billy Cooper Law, we bring both perspectives to every case.

Marvin A. Cooper, our founding partner, assisted in drafting Article 51 of the New York Insurance Law in 1973—the No Fault framework that reshaped how injury claims are handled statewide. That legislative expertise extends to understanding property owner liability, premises standards, and the statutory frameworks that govern dog bite claims under Agriculture & Markets Law § 123.

William H. Cooper, our lead trial counsel and a Super Lawyers honoree in 2024 and 2025, focuses on catastrophic injury litigation—including cases involving severe facial trauma, permanent scarring, nerve damage, and disfigurement from dog attacks. Billy’s trial advocacy has secured over $41 million in verdicts and settlements for injury victims, and he brings that same relentless commitment to clients recovering from dog bite injuries.

Together, this generational approach means you get both the legal framework expertise to navigate strict liability and negligence theories, and the trial excellence to maximize your recovery when insurers try to minimize your claim.

New York Dog Bite Law: How Liability Works

New York’s dog bite laws are a bit more complex than many people realize. Responsibility can depend on whether the dog is considered a “dangerous dog” and whether the owner was negligent.

What Is A “Dangerous Dog”?

Under New York law, a dog may be classified as “dangerous” if it:

• Has attacked and injured or killed a person, pet, or farm animal without justification, or
• Has behaved in a way that would cause a reasonable person to believe the dog poses a serious and unjustified threat of serious physical injury or death

If a dog meets this definition, the owner can face strict liability for certain damages.

Strict Liability For Dangerous Dogs

When a dog is legally deemed “dangerous,” the owner can be required to pay for medical and veterinary costs caused by the attack, even if the owner took steps to restrain or control the dog. That’s what strict liability means—the victim does not have to prove the owner was careless.

Negligence Claims For Other Dogs

If the dog is not classified as a dangerous dog, the injured person can still recover compensation—but they’ll usually need to prove negligence, such as:

• Failing to use a leash in required areas
• Allowing the dog to roam freely or escape through a damaged fence
• Ignoring previous warning signs about the dog’s behavior
• Failing to supervise the dog around children, guests, or delivery workers

In many cases, we pursue multiple theories of liability at the same time, combining strict liability arguments with negligence claims to maximize your recovery.

Common Injuries And Complications From Dog Bites

Dog bites are not “minor” just because they come from a family pet. A single bite can cause serious trauma, especially to the face, hands, arms, or legs.

Dog bite injuries may include:

• Bruising and contusions
• Deep lacerations and puncture wounds
• Degloving injuries (skin torn away from underlying muscle and bone)
• Nerve damage and loss of sensation
• Ligament, tendon, and muscle tears
• Broken bones and crushed tissue

In many cases, the physical injury is only the beginning. Dog bites can lead to serious medical complications, including:

• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of function or paralysis in affected limbs
• Amputation of fingers, toes, or limbs
• Bacterial or viral infections requiring IV antibiotics or surgery
• Rabies exposure requiring immediate treatment
• Complex psychological trauma, anxiety, or PTSD—especially in children

Because dog bites often occur on the face, neck, or hands, victims may need plastic surgery, multiple procedures, and long-term counseling to address both visible and invisible scars.

Billy Cooper has extensive experience representing clients with catastrophic injuries from dog attacks, including cases involving severe facial trauma, permanent disfigurement, and life-altering nerve damage. His trial advocacy has secured over $41 million in verdicts and settlements for injury victims—including substantial recoveries for clients facing permanent scarring and ongoing psychological trauma from dog attacks.

Compensation Available In A Dog Bite Claim

If you’ve been injured in a dog attack, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for both your financial losses and your personal suffering.

A dog bite claim may include money for:

Medical treatment and rehabilitation

• Emergency room care
• Stitches, surgery, and wound care
• Plastic or reconstructive surgery
• Infection treatment and follow-up visits
• Physical or occupational therapy

Long-term care and support

• Home health aides
• Assistance with daily activities
• Long-term counseling for emotional trauma

Lost wages and loss of earning capacity

• Paychecks missed while you recover
• Reduced hours or modified duties
• Future loss of earnings if you can’t return to your prior work

Pain and suffering

• Physical pain, discomfort, and limitations
• Emotional distress, anxiety, and fear of dogs
• Loss of quality of life

Visible scarring or disfigurement

• Loss of enjoyment of daily activities
• Social isolation or self-consciousness about appearance

Our goal at Billy Cooper Law is to evaluate every aspect of your injuries—physical, emotional, and financial—and make sure your claim reflects the full scope of what you’ve lost.

How Billy Cooper Law Helps Dog Bite Victims

Pursuing compensation after a dog bite can feel overwhelming. You may not want to “create conflict” with a neighbor, friend, or family member. You may not understand how homeowners or renters insurance works. That’s where we come in.

Investigating The Attack

We start by gathering evidence that supports your claim, which can include:

• Photos of your injuries and the scene of the attack
• Witness statements from neighbors, bystanders, or family members
• Animal control or police reports
• Prior complaints or incidents involving the same dog
• Veterinary or licensing records if available

This evidence helps us show how and why the attack happened, and whether the dog has a known history of aggressive behavior.

Proving Liability

Depending on the case, we may pursue:

• Strict liability for a legally defined “dangerous dog”
• Negligence for failing to leash, supervise, or control the dog
• Premises liability where the attack occurred on unsafe property

We identify all possible sources of recovery, including homeowners, renters, and sometimes landlords or other responsible parties.

Documenting Your Injuries And Losses

We work closely with:

• Treating physicians and specialists
• Plastic surgeons and wound-care experts
• Mental health professionals
• Vocational and economic experts when needed

This allows us to fully document:

• The medical treatments you’ve received
• Any future care you may need
• The impact on your ability to work and earn
• The pain, trauma, and life changes you’ve experienced

Dealing With Insurance Companies

Most dog bite claims are paid through homeowners or renters insurance, not directly out of the dog owner’s pocket. We:

• File claims with the appropriate insurance carriers
• Handle all communications and negotiations
• Push back against lowball settlement offers
• Prepare your case as if it may go to trial—because that’s how you get serious offers

You focus on healing. We focus on the legal fight.

White Plains Dog Bite Lawyers Who Put Clients First

At Billy Cooper Law, we know how stressful it is to be recovering from a dog bite while worrying about bills and relationships. Our job is to take as much of that burden off your shoulders as possible.

When you work with our firm, you can expect:

• Clear explanations of your rights and legal options
• Responsive, compassionate communication from our team
• Honest guidance about what to expect at each stage
• Relentless advocacy for full and fair compensation

We treat every client as a person, not a claim number.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites In White Plains & Beyond

I was bitten by a family member’s, friend’s, or neighbor’s dog. Do I really have to sue them?

This is one of the most common concerns we hear—and it’s completely understandable. Most people don’t want to “go after” someone they care about.

Here’s the key point: In most dog bite cases, the claim is paid by insurance—not by the dog owner personally.

That usually means:

• Homeowners insurance
• Renters insurance

These policies exist exactly for situations like this. They are designed to:

• Protect the dog owner from personal financial ruin, and
• Provide injured people with compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other harms

We can walk you through how to pursue a claim in a way that is respectful, professional, and focused on the insurance coverage, not on attacking your relationship.

What is the deadline for filing a dog bite claim in New York?

In most New York dog bite cases, you generally have three years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations.

If you miss that deadline, your claim can be permanently barred, no matter how serious your injuries are.

However:

• Different rules may apply if the victim is a child
• Shorter deadlines may apply if a municipal entity is involved
• Evidence gets harder to find as time passes

That’s why it’s important to speak with a dog bite attorney as soon as you can, even if you’re not sure you want to move forward yet.

What should I do immediately after a dog bite?

If you’ve been bitten:

1. Get medical care right away. Infection risk is high, and you may need stitches, antibiotics, or rabies treatment.
2. Report the incident. Contact local authorities or animal control so there’s a record of the attack.
3. Document everything. Take photos of your injuries, the location, and any visible dog-related hazards.
4. Get contact information. Secure the dog owner’s name, address, and any insurance details if possible.
5. Speak with a lawyer before talking in detail to insurance. Insurers may try to minimize your claim.

What is New York’s “one bite rule” and how does it affect my case?

New York follows a modified version of the “one bite rule” for certain dog bite claims. Under this common law principle, a dog owner may only be held liable for injuries if they knew or should have known the dog had vicious propensities—meaning a history of aggressive behavior.

However, New York also has Agriculture & Markets Law § 123, which imposes strict liability for medical and veterinary expenses when a dog is classified as “dangerous.” This means victims don’t need to prove the owner knew about prior aggression to recover those specific costs.

Can a landlord or property owner be held liable for a tenant’s dog attack?

Yes, in certain circumstances. If a landlord knew or should have known that a tenant’s dog posed a danger and had the ability to control the situation, the landlord may share liability.

This often arises in cases where:

• Prior complaints about the dog were ignored
• The landlord had authority to require removal of the dog but failed to act
• Common areas or property conditions contributed to the attack

How is compensation calculated for permanent scarring or disfigurement from a dog bite?

Permanent scarring and disfigurement are among the most significant components of a dog bite claim, particularly when injuries affect visible areas like the face, neck, or hands.

Compensation for scarring includes:

• Medical costs: Plastic surgery, reconstructive procedures, scar revision treatments
• Future care: Ongoing treatments to minimize scarring over time
• Loss of earning capacity: If scarring affects your ability to work
• Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort and emotional distress
• Loss of quality of life: Social isolation, self-consciousness, psychological trauma

Insurers often try to minimize these claims. That’s why trial preparation matters. When they know we’re ready to present your case to a jury, settlement offers reflect the true value of your injuries.

Contact Billy Cooper Law For A Free Dog Bite Consultation

If you or your child has been bitten by a dog or attacked by another domestic animal, you don’t have to handle this alone—and you don’t have to guess what your rights are.

Contact Billy Cooper Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

We’ll listen to what happened, answer your questions, explain how New York dog bite laws apply to your case, and map out a strategy to pursue the full financial recovery you deserve.

You focus on healing. We’ll handle the rest.