In February 2025, a Quincy animal control officer was bitten by an unrestrained, 110-pound Cane Corso. The attack, which could have been deadly, resulted in multiple lacerations and a potential fracture to the officer’s arms and hands.
The dog’s owner claims that the animal had never shown aggression prior to this incident, however, neighbors tell a different story. The owner now faces criminal charges for failure to muzzle or restrain a dog and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, Boston’s WCBV-TV reports.
Being attacked by a vicious dog is a frightening experience, whether you are a law enforcement officer or a regular citizen. Understanding how the legal system works and what your options are is key to making sure the dog’s owner is held appropriately responsible and you receive the compensation you deserve. We cover what you need to know below.
The Difference Between Criminal and Civil Dog Bite Cases
In Massachusetts, a dog owner is always responsible for the actions of their animal and any harm it causes. This is referred to as “strict liability,” and means that the dog does not have to have a previous history of violence for the owner to be liable.
However, that only applies to civil cases, and the person who sustained harm must make the decision to hire a lawyer and file a claim. Whether or not an owner will be charged criminally, like in the Quincy case, depends on what the state decides to do. This happens automatically, regardless of whether or not there is a civil case.
Rarely, if ever, will a dog owner be arrested for a crime at the scene. It’s more likely that law enforcement will provide information about the incident to the district attorney, who will then decide if charges should be filed. But this is also rare, and in many cases, owners are never indicted.
Can a Dog Attack Result in Both?
Depending on the circumstances surrounding a dog bite, both civil and criminal courts may become involved. It’s even possible for both cases to be happening simultaneously. That said, it’s important to note that while civil cases typically do not affect criminal ones, a criminal case may affect your civil lawsuit.
For example, if the state has decided to file criminal charges against the dog owner, you may be able to use this to emphasize the severity of the attack and petition the court for maximum compensation. But even if a civil court does award you damages, it may not put pressure on the district attorney to bring criminal charges down the line.
Understanding Civil Damages
If you or a loved one suffered consequences as a result of the attack, these are known as “damages.” Damages can include quantifiable things like hospital bills and lost wages, as well as things that are harder to quantify, like pain and suffering. All of these are legally recognized as compensable, which means victims have the right to demand financial restitution from the dog’s owner.
How much you can ask for depends on specific factors of your case. You may be able to pursue a higher settlement if one or more of the following are true:
- The owner was willfully and/or knowingly negligent
- The owner has a demonstrable history of abusing or harming their dog
- You required emergency medical care via ambulance or helicopter
- You were seriously disfigured or lost a limb as a result of the attack
- You can no longer work a job or work in the same field as you did before the attack
- You can no longer participate in activities you once enjoyed
- The victim was a young child
- The victim died as a result of the attack
When to Call a Qualified Massachusetts Dog Bite Lawyer
Were you or a family member bitten by a dog in Massachusetts? Our attorneys can help. Contact us today to set up a free consultation to meet with a lawyer who can advise you on the next step. Call our local Salem office at (978) 744-8000 or toll-free at (855) 693-9084 to get started.
