Dog bites can range significantly in severity based on a number of factors during the attack, including the location of the dog and victim, the area of the body affected, and the force behind the dog’s bite.
When it comes to treating dog bites and illustrating their impact in court, professionals typically use the Dunbar Dog Bite scale to grade the severity of an injury and the animal’s overall risk to people. We go over this scale below and what a qualified dog bite lawyer can do to help if you or someone you know were attacked by a dog.
What Is the Dunbar Dog Bite Scale?
The Dunbar Dog Bite Scale was created in the 1970s by an animal behaviorist and veterinarian by the name of Dr. Ian Dunbar. It remains the official grading guidelines by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and describes 6 levels of bite severity:
Level 1
Contrary to popular belief, a level 1 dog bite isn’t a bite at all. Instead, this is when a dog begins to show aggressive behavior such as growling, lunging, pawing, or pulling at clothing. At level 1, the dog’s teeth have not yet made contact with a victim’s skin.
Level 2
A level 2 bite occurs when a dog makes teeth-to-skin contact but does not puncture through the tissue. Shallow abrasions and minor bleeding may result from what essentially amounts to the dog’s teeth “scraping” against the skin. The large majority of dog bites — 99% — can be categorized as level 1 or 2. These animals are generally not considered inherently dangerous and usually respond well to training and conditioning.
Level 3
A level 3 bite consists of between one and four skin punctures from one bite. These are deeper than level 2 bites but will not be deeper than half the length of the dog’s longest (canine) teeth. If the victim or the dog pulls away, this may cause tears or lacerations in one direction.
Dogs that have bitten at a level 3 can usually still be trained, and their prognosis is generally good, but training can be dangerous and requires the use of a muzzle.
Level 4
A level 4 dog bite also consists of between one and four punctures from a single bite, but at least one puncture wound must be deeper than half the length of the animal’s canine teeth. Lacerations may also be in multiple directions if the dog shook its head while its jaws were clamped down.
These dogs have a poor rehabilitation prognosis and should be muzzled at all times when in the proximity of other people and dogs, including family members.
Level 5
A level 5 dog bite consists of either an attack with a minimum of two level 4 bites or more than one attack with at least one level 4 bite occurring in each. Victims are catastrophically injured and often need surgery to repair deep cuts and puncture wounds. If one or more of the bites occurs to the victim’s face, they are likely to become permanently disfigured.
Level 6
A level 6 bite is one that results in death, regardless of the victim’s age. Even though the force needed for a dog to kill a child is much less than the force it would take to kill an adult, both bites would be considered a level 6.
Dogs that have instigated a level 5 or 6 bite are considered highly dangerous and are unlikely to be successfully rehabilitated. In most cases, these dogs are euthanized to spare them from a life of loneliness in solitary confinement.
How to Get Qualified Legal Assistance After You or a Family Member Are Attacked by a Vicious Dog
Dog bites can have serious consequences in all aspects of a victim’s life. Whether the bite is a level 1 or a level 5, it can result in infection, scarring, disfigurement, and psychological distress. In both Massachusetts and New Hampshire, dog owners are “strictly liable” for any harm their animal does, regardless of whether or not they knew the dog would be violent.
This means that bite victims and their families can hold an owner accountable in court and demand financial compensation for any damages they incurred. Contact us today for more info or to schedule your no-cost, no-obligation consultation by calling (978) 744-8000 or toll-free at (855) 693-9084.
