Rhode Island Dog Bite Laws: What You Should Know

In Rhode Island, dog owners are held strictly liable if their dog causes injury - even if the dog had no prior history of aggression. That means you don’t need to prove negligence. If a dog attacked you, the owner can be financially responsible.

Key facts:

• Rhode Island enforces a “strict liability” rule for dog bites
• Victims can recover damages even if the dog never bit before
• Off-leash or improperly restrained dogs can trigger owner liability
• Attacks on public or private property (outside the dog’s enclosure) are eligible for claims

We’ll help you understand how the law applies to your case — and how much your claim may be worth.

Common Dog Bite Injuries We Handle

Dog attacks can cause serious and disfiguring injuries — especially in children and older adults. These cases often involve not just wounds, but long-term trauma and complications.



Frequent dog bite injuries include:

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Dog bite victims are often left with medical bills, lost income, emotional distress, and other damages they shouldn’t have to cover alone.

We fight for compensation including:

• Medical bills and future treatment: Covers ER visits, wound care, plastic surgery, therapy, and infection treatment.
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity: If you missed work or can’t return to your job, we’ll recover your lost income and future loss.
• Pain and suffering: We account for the physical and emotional toll — not just the financial costs.
• Disfigurement or scarring: We pursue additional compensation for visible injuries that affect confidence and quality of life.
• Emotional distress or trauma: Dog bites can lead to lasting psychological harm that deserves to be recognized in your claim.
• Out-of-pocket expenses: Transportation to medical appointments, medications, or even child care may be covered.
  

What To Do After a Dog Bite in Rhode Island

Here’s how to protect your health — and your legal rights — after a dog bite:

1. Get medical attention immediately, even if the bite seems minor
2. Report the incident to local animal control or police
3. Document your injuries with photos and written details
4. Collect information from the dog owner and any witnesses
5. Avoid talking to their insurance company without legal advice
6. Call a Providence dog bite lawyer as soon as possible



We’ll take it from there — so you can focus on healing.

Why Choose Ace Injury Attorneys?

You don’t need a massive billboard law firm — you need a local, experienced legal team that listens, cares, and fights like hell to win your case.

✅ Local firm with deep knowledge of RI personal injury law

✅ You pay nothing unless we win

✅ Compassionate support, aggressive negotiation

✅ Experience handling dog owner liability and insurance claims

✅ Free consultations — zero risk to get started



When it’s personal, we make it powerful.

Serving Providence and Surrounding Rhode Island Communities

We handle dog bite cases across Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, including:

Rhode Island:

• Providence
• Cranston
• Warwick
• Pawtucket
• Woonsocket
• Cumberland
• East Providence
• Portsmouth
• Smithfield



Massachusetts:

• Fall River
• New Bedford
• Taunton
• Attleboro
• North Attleboro
• Brockton
• Seekonk
• Mansfield
• Dartmouth
• Fairhaven
• Westport
• Rehoboth
• Swansea
  

$42,000

RECENT SETTLEMENT

for driver in low-impact crash where liability was contested

RECENT SETTLEMENT

$160,000

for a homeowner whose utility company damaged her home

$92,500

RECENT SETTLEMENT

for a condominium association whose insurer denied coverage

$100,000

RECENT SETTLEMENT

for a condominium unit owner whose insurer denied liability

Our Clients are Happy & Satisfied.

We get our clients big results, maintain a strong reputation, utilize advanced resources, and treat each client with respect and empathy.