Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Dog bites and animal-related injuries can leave lasting physical and emotional scars.
Our office has litigated many dog bite cases over the decades. We understand local leash laws and the regulations requiring that animals be under control — whether by voice command or on a leash. We have also made claims not only for dog bite injuries, but also for cases where an unsecured dog had knocked a person down, resulting in serious injuries such as fractures and broken bones.
If you were bitten or attacked by a dog, there may be insurance coverage available for you through the dog owner's homeowners or renters’ policy. As a former licensed insurance agent, Frank J. Schlehofer knows how to read these policies, identify available coverage, and challenge any ambiguities the insurance company tries to use against you.
Alaska’s Animal Case Law
A dog owner can be held liable if they knew, or should have known, that their dog had dangerous or aggressive tendencies.
Importantly, the dog does not need to have bitten someone before. If the owner had reason to know their dog could be dangerous — based on past behavior, growling, lunging, or other warning signs — they can still be held responsible.
Likewise, if the dog was running loose in violation of a local leash law at the time of the attack, that violation can also support your claim, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
35 Years of Experience Fighting for Injured Alaskans — Over $100 Million Collected
Our office has been fighting for injured Alaskans for over 35 years. We have collected over 100 million dollars for thousands of Alaskans who were hurt, disabled, or lost loved ones. We know how insurance companies work. We know how to fight them. And we know how to win. See Case Results and Testimonials.
An In-House Physician and Attorney—A Powerful Advantage for Our Clients
When difficult medical questions arise in your case, most law firms have to hire outside medical consultants and wait for their opinion. At Schlehofer Law Offices, we have that medical knowledge in-house. Frank Michael Schlehofer is both an attorney and a licensed physician. When you are hurt, the insurance company has doctors and lawyers working to reduce what they pay you. Now you have both on your side. In serious and complex cases, insurance companies hire their own medical experts to fight your claim. Frank Michael can read your medical records the way a doctor does, speak the same language as their experts, and challenge their opinions — because he is a licensed physician himself.
What You May Be Owed
If you were injured by a dog or animal, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills — past and future
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is my case worth?
Every case is different. The value depends on your injuries, your medical bills, lost wages, and how the accident has affected your life. Call us. There is no charge to talk to us, and we will discuss the details of your case. See Case Results and Testimonials.
Is there a charge to talk to you, and how does your attorney fee work?
There is no charge to talk to us. We do not charge by the hour. We only get paid if you get paid. Our attorney fee is a contingency fee, which is a percentage of the total amount we recover for you, plus reimbursement of our out-of-pocket costs, such as the cost of ordering your medical records. Usually, our attorney fee is 1/3 of the total recovery. Since our fee is a percentage of what we get for you, we are both on the same team trying to get as much as we reasonably can. If we do not get anything for you, then our attorney fee is zero.
Do I have to go to court?
Most cases settle before trial. When the insurance company knows you hired an experienced attorney, they are more likely to settle because it will cost them money to go to court. The decision to settle or go to trial is yours. We are always prepared to go to trial to get you the money you deserve.
Should I call animal control or the police after a dog bite or animal attack?
Yes. If you are bitten or attacked by a dog or other animal, you should report it to your local animal control agency or the police right away. Even if several days have passed, you should still call Animal Control. Animal control will often investigate the incident, contact the owner, and create an official report. In areas where animal control is not available, the police can also take a report. Importantly, animal control may also have records of prior complaints or incidents involving the same animal — which can be valuable evidence in supporting a claim against the owner.
Is there insurance coverage for dog bites and animal attacks?
In most cases, the only insurance coverage available for dog bite claims comes from the dog owner's homeowners or renters’ insurance policy. If the dog owner owns their home, there is a good chance their homeowners policy includes liability coverage that would cover your injuries. If the dog owner rents and has a renter’s insurance policy, it may provide similar coverage.
However, some homeowners and renters policies exclude certain dog breeds that are considered to have vicious propensities — such as pit bulls, Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, and wolf hybrids. Whether coverage applies depends on the specific language of the owner's insurance policy. As a former licensed insurance agent, Frank J. Schlehofer knows how to read these policies, identify available coverage, and challenge any ambiguities the insurance company tries to use against you.
Does the dog have to have bitten someone before for me to have a case?
No. Under Alaska law you must show the owner knew or should have known their dog had dangerous tendencies. Prior aggressive behavior, growling, or warning signs can support your claim, even without a prior bite. Often an Animal Control investigation can support this claim if it documents that when they approached the animal it was extremely aggressive or tried to attack them.
What if the dog was not secured or was running loose when it hurt me?
If the dog was running loose in violation of a local leash law, that violation can support your claim even if the owner did not previously know the dog was dangerous. And even if the dog did not bite you — for example, if an unsecured dog jumped on you or knocked you down and you suffered injuries such as broken bones — the owner can still be held responsible for failing to control their animal.
How long do I have to file a claim?
In Alaska, you generally have two years from the date of the accident/dog bite to file a lawsuit in court against the responsible parties. Do not wait. Call us right away.
What if I was partly at fault, like trespassing or provoking the dog?
You may still have a claim. Alaska follows pure comparative negligence, which means even if you were partly at fault, you may still be able to recover compensation. Every case is different. Call us and we will discuss the details of your case.
DISCLAIMER: Material in this website is only intended for people living in Alaska and is general information only. It is not legal advice, nor is it intended to be, since each case is unique. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual circumstances. Since each case is unique, individual results will vary. Prior case results are no guarantee of future performance. Information sent to or from this site is not meant to create an attorney-client relationship with you. Only after a written fee agreement is signed by both our law office and you, are you our client. Prior to a fee agreement being signed, our law office, its employees, and its attorneys cannot take any actions on your behalf.
Please Note: Frank Michael Schlehofer is an attorney at this firm. He is also a licensed physician in Michigan, not Alaska. His medical training is part of the firm’s general background and experience. He is not your doctor and cannot give you medical advice. No one at this firm is giving you medical advice or medical care. If you have questions about your health, please talk to a qualified health care provider of your choice.