Level 3: a single bite with shallow wounds
The third level of the Dunbar bite scale results in a bite which causes between one and 4 superficial perforations of the skin. The wounds do not exceed deeper and half the length of the canine teeth. There may be lacerations in one direction as the victim or the dog tries to back away from the altercation.
This type of bite is variable and can have many causes. Dogs may bite because:
Beyond the causes and context of the situation, any dog which causes a level 3 bite should be taken to a veterinarian or canine educator. The treatment received will depend on the reasons for the incident. If the cause is clinical, they will be required to see a veterinarian specialized in canine behavior. If the cause is a behavioral problem, a canine educator or ethologist will be required.
Dogs whose bites fall into this category usually have poor bite inhibition, poor dog socialization or some other serious problem. The problem can often be solved, but it must be dealt with by people experienced in canine aggression.
As a note, the type of training is important. Some trainers are proponents of dominance theory. Although effective in the short-term, dominance training often has negative consequences in the long-term.
Experienced Dog Bite Case Lawyers
At Console & Associates, P.C., our attorneys have a long history of standing up for the survivors of dog bites. A
Despite the difficulties you’re facing right now, improvement is possible, and the money our dog bite lawyers get for you can help you afford the care you need to achieve maximum healing. Our No Fee Promise means that experienced legal representation for a dog bite injury claim won’t cost you anything upfront. Pursuing a claim begins with a free, no-obligation legal consultation that allows you to get your questions answered and understand what to expect from the legal process.
A dog bite refers to the damage caused by the mouth, jaws, and teeth of a domesticated dog. Bites can come from large dogs and small ones, whether healthy or infected with a disease like rabies.
When a dog bite is serious enough to either require you to undergo significant medical treatment or impact your life—or, more commonly, both—then you might have the grounds for a dog bite claim. This is a civil claim, not a criminal matter, and through your claim, you would be seeking financial compensation. Average dog bite settlement amounts vary by state, but the national average dog bite claim payout in 2020 was $50,425, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Dog bites are distinct from other types of injuries that a dog may cause, such as scratching a person or knocking them down. Although any type of attack committed by a dog could leave a person with injuries—and potentially open up the dog’s owner to legal liability for the damages that result—dog bite law may differ from laws pertaining to other types of injuries related to dogs.
To assess the severity of a dog’s biting problems, professionals look at wound pathology and use Dr. Ian Dunbar’s Dog Bite Scale, according to the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Under this scale, there are six levels of dog bites.
Level 1 dog bites
Sometimes called “pre-bite” incidents, a level 1 dog bite refers to aggressive behavior, such as snapping at the air, that does not include contact between the dog’s teeth and the (human or animal) victim’s skin.
Level 2 dog bites
Also known as “near-bites,” level 2 dog bites happen when teeth make contact with skin, but no skin puncture occurs. Injuries, including skin nicks up to one-tenth of an inch deep that result from lateral or forward movements of the dog’s teeth, may still result from a level 2 bite.
Level 3 dog bites
A level 3 bite is one in which one to four punctures occur, with none of the punctures deeper than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth.
Level 4 dog bites
A level 4 dog bite is a very serious bite in which at least one of the punctures goes deeper into the skin than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth. Often, bruising results from the dog biting down and holding on. Lacerations may occur in both directions if the dog aggressively shook its head side-to-side while biting.
What does a level 4 dog bite settlement look like?
According to the level 4 dog bite settlement examples listed below, the typical level 4 dog bite settlement is anywhere from $125,000 to $512,000. Settlements depend greatly on the unique circumstances of each case which is why there is no accurate average settlement amount for level 4 dog bites. $512,000 – In Elizabeth’s level 4 dog bite settlement, she was injured at just 4 years old by a pit bull which left her with serious physical and emotional injuries. Her compensation was a jury awarding her $512,000. 125, 000 – In another dog bite case, a teenager was awarded a settlement of $125,000 for a level four dog bite which resulted in her having to undergo reconstructive surgery to replace her missing lip.
Level 5 dog bites
A level 5 dog bite incident involves multiple bites in one incident or multiple attacks in which a minimum of two bites meeting level 4 criteria occur.
What does a level 5 dog bite settlement look like?
According to the level 5 dog bite settlement examples listed below, the typical level 5 dog bite settlement is anywhere from $1,500,000 to $7,250,000. Settlements depend greatly on the unique circumstances of each case which is why there is no accurate average settlement amount for level 5 dog bites. $2.2 million – In one dog bite case, Sue was attacked in bed by two dogs that caused injuries to her face, arms, and hands. She was awarded a settlement of 2.2 million for her level 5 dog bite injuries. $1.5 million – In another case, Anne’s level 5 dog bite compensation was 1.5 million after being attacked by a pit bull that left her with 17 lacerations that needed 300 stitches. $7.25 million – This dog bite compensation was for extensive damage that was caused which was predicted to take years to recover from.
Level 6 dog bites
A dog bite is considered a level 6 bite when it fatally injures the victim.
The dog bite scale is used primarily to assess the dog’s prognosis in terms of potential for future harm and the likelihood of success of bite-inhibition training, not to diagnose injuries or develop treatment plans for the victim.
When Should You Hire an Attorney After Suffering a Dog Bite Injury—and Why?
Any person who has sustained serious injuries in a bite from a dog that was not their own should speak to an attorney about their rights and options. A dog bite injury can change your life and pose major physical, emotional, and financial burdens.
The most effective way to get the full amount of compensation you deserve is to hire a dog bite attorney, since research has shown that attorneys get their clients 3.5 times more money than unrepresented claimants get for themselves. Dog bite attorneys with experience in this area of law are uniquely well-positioned to undertake the thorough investigation required to gather dog bite evidence, including asking dog bite witnesses the most important questions.
How To Survive A Dog Attack? | Preventing Dog Bites | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz
Gail Fisher, author of “The Thinking Dog” and a dog behavior consultant, runs All Dogs Gym & Inn in Manchester. To suggest a topic for this column, which appears every other Sunday, email [email protected] or write c/o All Dogs Gym, 505 Sheffield Road, Manchester, NH 03103. Past columns are on her website.
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