According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, and roughly 800,000 of those require medical attention.
In New York, dog bite victims can pursue compensation under both common law negligence and New York Agriculture & Markets Law Section 123, which imposes liability on owners of dogs with known dangerous propensities.
The quality of your attorney directly affects how much you recover, whether the insurer takes your claim seriously, and whether you are able to prove the owner's knowledge of the dog's history.
The lawyers on this list practice across New York State, from New York City to Central New York and Western New York. Each is included based on publicly available credentials, practice focus, and recognition..
Note: Attorney rankings reflect publicly available credentials and practice information. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. This article is attorney advertising.
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1. Michael S. Porter, J.D. — Porter Law Group (Syracuse, NY)
Michael S. Porter is the founder and managing partner of the Porter Law Group, and is widely regarded as one of the best dog bite lawyers in New York State. Admitted to the New York bar since the late 1990s and based in Fayetteville,
Porter has built a practice around serious personal injury litigation that includes dedicated representation for dog attack victims throughout Central New York and beyond.
Dog bite litigation in New York requires a precise understanding of both common law negligence and the statutory framework under Agriculture & Markets Law Section 123. Porter's firm pursues compensation on multiple theories of liability, including:
• Strict liability under Agriculture & Markets Law § 123 where the owner had prior knowledge of the dog's dangerous behavior
• Common law negligence where the owner failed to exercise reasonable control over the animal
• Premises liability claims against landlords who permitted a known dangerous dog on their property
• Negligent supervision claims in cases involving attacks on children
The firm pursues compensation for all recognized categories of damages in New York dog bite cases, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, permanent disfigurement, and pain and suffering.
Cases involving children, facial injuries, or permanent disability tend to produce the highest recoveries, and Porter's practice is equipped to present these cases compellingly, whether in settlement negotiations or at trial in Onondaga County Supreme Court or any New York venue..
Location: Fayetteville / Syracuse, NY | Bar Admission: New York State | Practice: Personal Injury, Dog Bites, Premises Liability, Medical Malpractice
2. Eric C. Nordby, J.D. — Porter Law Group (Syracuse, NY)
Eric C. Nordby is co-founder and senior trial attorney at Porter Law Group, bringing nearly three decades of personal injury litigation experience to the firm's dog bite practice. His Justia profile explicitly lists "Animal & Dog Bites" among his practice areas, making him one of the few named New York attorneys whose individual bio identifies this work directly.
Nordby's litigation background spans medical malpractice, auto collision, construction accidents, and catastrophic injury claims in both New York state and federal courts.
In dog bite cases, he applies the same methodical approach: identifying all viable defendants, establishing the owner's prior knowledge of dangerous behavior, and building a damages case that accounts for both the immediate trauma and the long-term physical and psychological effects of an attack.
Working alongside Michael S. Porter, Nordby handles dog bite claims that range from straightforward homeowner insurance disputes to complex cases involving landlord liability, commercial properties, and attacks resulting in permanent injury or disfigurement..
Location: Fayetteville / Syracuse, NY | Bar Admission: New York State | Practice: Personal Injury, Animal & Dog Bites, Medical Malpractice
3. Ben B. Rubinowitz — Gair, Gair, Conason (New York City, NY)
Ben B. Rubinowitz is managing partner and a prominent trial attorney at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf in New York City. He is widely recognized in plaintiff-side personal injury circles for major verdicts in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, and is the named trial lawyer behind much of the firm's complex injury litigation.
Gair, Gair, Conason maintains a dedicated New York dog bite practice, with the firm's website describing representation for victims of attacks by dangerous dogs statewide.
As managing partner and lead trial attorney, Rubinowitz is the individual responsible for the firm's serious injury cases, including those involving significant dog attack injuries with lasting scarring or disability.
Location: New York City, NY | Practice: Personal Injury, Catastrophic Injury, Dog Bites, Wrongful Death
4. Daniel Wasserberg — Meirowitz & Wasserberg, LLP (New York City, NY)
Daniel Wasserberg is a founding partner of Meirowitz & Wasserberg, LLP, a New York City plaintiffs' firm focused on serious personal injury and mass tort litigation.
As co-founder and named trial attorney, Wasserberg is the identifiable individual behind the firm's dog bite practice, which represents victims of attacks on public streets, in apartment buildings, and in other New York City settings.
The firm's New York City dog bite practice page explains New York's liability rules for dog attacks, including the role of prior dangerous behavior in establishing owner liability, and offers contingency fee representation to victims.
Wasserberg's background in high-stakes plaintiff litigation makes him a strong advocate in cases where injuries are severe and insurers contest liability aggressively.
Location: New York City, NY | Practice: Personal Injury, Dog Bites, Mass Tort Litigation
5. Howard A. Raphaelson — Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm, P.C. (New York City, NY)
Howard A. Raphaelson is co-founder of Raphaelson & Levine, a Manhattan personal injury firm with a dedicated dog bite practice. He has represented New Yorkers in injury cases since the early 1990s and is a principal trial attorney for the firm, which brands itself as "The Voice of the Injured."
Raphaelson & Levine's dog bite page outlines New York's mixed liability framework for animal attacks, describing how they pursue claims for bite victims and emphasizing compensation for scarring, surgical costs, and emotional distress. As founding partner and long-time trial lawyer, Raphaelson is the individual whose experience backs the firm's dog bite representations. He is listed on Best Lawyers directories for personal injury work in New York.
Location: Manhattan, New York City, NY | Practice: Personal Injury, Dog Bites, Premises Liability
6. James Alexander — James Alexander Law (Central / Upstate New York)
James Alexander is the founding attorney of James Alexander Law, a Central New York personal injury firm with nearly 40 years of experience representing injured individuals and wrongful death families.
He practices throughout Syracuse, Rochester, the Southern Tier, and broader upstate regions, with dog bite injury representation listed as a dedicated practice area.
As the firm's founding trial lawyer, Alexander is the person clients engage for dog bite claims, and the firm's long record in upstate markets makes him a practical choice for victims outside New York City who want an attorney with deep familiarity with local courts and defense counsel.
Location: Central / Upstate New York | Practice: Personal Injury, Dog Bites, Wrongful Death
7. Jed Dietrich — Dietrich Law Firm P.C. (Buffalo, NY)
Jed Dietrich is the founder of Dietrich Law Firm P.C. in Buffalo and is publicly described as a top-rated Buffalo dog bite lawyer.
His practice covers a wide range of personal injury cases, with dog bite and animal attack claims in Western New York forming a recognized part of the firm's caseload.
Dietrich's dog bite practice covers the investigation of prior vaccination records, insurance carrier negotiations, and the full pursuit of compensation for victims.
The firm operates on a contingency basis, with no fee unless they secure a recovery. Dietrich's regional focus on Western New York makes him a strong choice for dog bite victims in Buffalo, Erie County, and surrounding areas who want a locally experienced trial attorney rather than a generalist firm.
Location: Buffalo, NY | Practice: Personal Injury, Dog Bites, Animal Attacks
8. John F. Dreyer — Dreyer Boyajian LLP (Albany / Capital Region, NY)
John F. Dreyer is a founding partner of Dreyer Boyajian LLP, a long-standing Capital Region plaintiffs' firm whose dog bite practice page notes that its attorneys "have been working hard for more than 30 years to secure full compensation for the victims of dog attacks."
Dreyer's trial background spans decades of personal injury litigation in the Albany area and throughout the Capital Region.
As founding trial partner, Dreyer is the individual whose experience underlies the firm's dog bite representations. The firm represents victims of attacks by dangerous dogs and pursues the full range of available compensation, including medical expenses, scarring, and pain and suffering.
For Capital Region victims, Dreyer Boyajian's three decades of local practice translate into familiarity with Albany County courts and regional insurance defense practices.
Location: Albany / Capital Region, NY | Practice: Personal Injury, Dog Bites, Catastrophic Injury
9. John H. "Jack" Hacker — Hacker Murphy LLP (Statewide, NY)
John H. "Jack" Hacker is managing partner of Hacker Murphy LLP, a firm established in 1898 that describes itself as offering "125+ years of legal legacy" and as one of New York's most respected plaintiff-side advocacy practices.
Hacker is a trial lawyer who represents plaintiffs in personal injury and commercial cases across New York State.
The firm's dog bite practice page states that their attorneys "have won millions for New Yorkers hurt by careless owners," and the practice is structured around the firm's no-fee-unless-they-win contingency model.
Given the firm's statewide reach and Hacker's leadership role, naming him connects the firm's dog bite track record to an actual individual trial lawyer rather than a faceless institutional brand. His firm's longevity in New York personal injury practice is itself a form of credibility in a field where many competitors are newer entrants.
Location: Statewide, New York | Practice: Personal Injury, Dog Bites, Trial Litigation
10. Mark Elias Seitelman — Seitelman Law Offices (New York City, NY)
Mark Elias Seitelman is one of New York City's most reviewed dog bite and animal attack lawyers, appearing among the "most reviewed" attorneys in the Animal & Dog Bites category on Avvo with nearly 100 client reviews.
His practice focuses on personal injury cases in New York City, with dog bite and animal attack claims explicitly listed as a core practice area.
Seitelman's volume of client reviews and his explicit listing of animal attack cases in his individual attorney profile make him one of the few New York lawyers whose personal bio, rather than just a firm website, identifies dog bite work.
For NYC victims seeking an attorney with a substantial public record of client feedback in this specific practice area, Seitelman is a well-documented choice.
Location: New York City, NY | Practice: Personal Injury, Animal & Dog Bites
How New York Dog Bite Law Works
New York does not have a general strict liability dog bite statute in the same way some other states do. Instead, New York follows a modified version of the common law "one bite" rule under Agriculture & Markets Law Section 123.
Under this statute, a dog owner is strictly liable for medical and veterinary costs if their dog injures a person or another animal, regardless of the owner's knowledge of prior dangerous behavior.
However, to recover pain and suffering damages, lost wages, and full compensation beyond medical bills, you must prove that the owner knew or should have known the dog had dangerous propensities.
This is called "scienter" and is the central legal issue in most New York dog bite cases. Evidence of prior bites, growling, lunging, or complaints to animal control all go toward establishing this knowledge.
Landlord Liability in New York Dog Bite Cases
New York courts have recognized that landlords can be held liable for dog bite injuries if they had actual knowledge of a dangerous dog on their premises and had the authority to remove the animal.
This is a significant avenue of recovery in New York City apartment cases, where the building owner or property manager may be a viable defendant alongside or in place of the dog's owner.
Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims in New York
In New York, the general personal injury statute of limitations is three years from the date of the injury (CPLR § 214). This applies to dog bite claims against private individuals. If your attack occurred on government property or involved a government employee, a Notice of Claim may be required within 90 days of the incident.
Claims involving children benefit from the infancy toll under CPLR § 208, which pauses the statute of limitations until the child turns 18, giving them until age 21 to file.
What Compensation Is Available in New York Dog Bite Cases?
New York dog bite victims may recover economic damages including all past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity if the injuries are permanently disabling. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and compensation for permanent scarring or disfigurement.
Facial injuries, injuries to children, and attacks resulting in nerve damage or loss of function tend to produce the highest recoveries because of the long-term and visible nature of those harms.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Dog Bite Lawyers in New York
Do I need a lawyer for a dog bite in New York?
You are not legally required to hire a lawyer, but doing so substantially improves your outcome. Dog bite cases in New York require proof of the owner's prior knowledge of the dog's dangerous behavior to recover pain and suffering damages. Gathering that evidence, dealing with homeowners' insurers, and documenting the full extent of your injuries are tasks that an experienced personal injury attorney handles routinely. An insurer's initial offer is almost always lower than what a represented claimant recovers.
How do I prove a dog owner knew their dog was dangerous in New York?
Evidence of prior knowledge includes documented prior bites, animal control complaints, neighbor testimony about the dog's aggressive behavior, social media posts by the owner describing or joking about the dog's aggression, and any prior incidents in which the dog lunged, growled, or threatened people. An attorney will investigate all of these sources as part of building your claim. The stronger your evidence of scienter, the more leverage you have in settlement negotiations and the stronger your position at trial.
Can I sue a landlord for a dog bite in New York?
Yes, in certain circumstances. New York courts have held landlords liable for dog bites where the landlord had actual notice of a dangerous dog on the property and had the authority to remove or control it. This is common in apartment building cases where the landlord was aware of tenant complaints about a dog and took no action. A landlord defendant often has greater insurance coverage than a tenant, making this avenue worth pursuing when the facts support it.
How long do dog bite cases take to settle in New York?
Most dog bite cases in New York resolve within one to two years. Cases with clear liability, a known insurer, and documented injuries can sometimes settle in several months. Cases involving disputed prior knowledge of dangerous behavior, serious injuries requiring ongoing treatment, or landlord defendants tend to take longer because liability is contested and damages are still developing. Accepting an early offer before your injuries have fully resolved is generally not in your interest.
What if the dog that bit me had no prior history of biting?
This is the most common challenge in New York dog bite cases. Without prior bite history, recovering pain and suffering damages is more difficult because you must prove the owner knew of the dog's dangerous propensities through other means: growling, lunging, restraint requirements, breed-specific rental restrictions, or owner statements. It does not mean recovery is impossible, but it requires a more thorough investigation and a stronger legal strategy. An experienced New York dog bite lawyer will evaluate what evidence is available before advising you on the strength of your claim.
Does homeowners insurance cover dog bites in New York?
In most cases, yes. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies in New York include liability coverage for dog bite injuries sustained on or off the insured property. Coverage limits typically range from $100,000 to $300,000, with umbrella policies providing additional coverage in serious cases. Some insurers exclude specific breeds; your attorney will identify the applicable coverage and pursue the insurer directly on your behalf.
Is there a cap on dog bite damages in New York?
No. New York does not impose a statutory cap on personal injury damages in dog bite cases. You may recover the full amount of your proven economic and non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, permanent scarring, lost wages, and future medical care. Cases involving children with facial scarring or adults with permanent nerve damage have historically produced substantial recoveries in New York courts.
What should I do immediately after a dog bite in New York?
Seek medical attention immediately, even if the wound appears minor. Dog bites carry significant infection risk, including bacterial infection and the need to assess rabies exposure. Photograph the injury and the location of the attack before leaving the scene if possible. Obtain the dog owner's name, address, and insurance information. Report the attack to local animal control, which creates an official record. Do not give a recorded statement to the dog owner's insurer without first consulting an attorney.
Choosing the Right Dog Bite Lawyer in New York
Dog bite cases in New York require more than a general personal injury practice. The best outcomes come from attorneys who understand the specific evidentiary requirements of New York's prior dangerous propensities doctrine, know how to investigate ownership history and animal control records, and are prepared to litigate if the insurer undervalues the claim.
The attorneys on this list represent a cross-section of New York's strongest dog bite practitioners, from New York City trial firms to specialized upstate and regional practices. For victims in Central New York, Porter Law Group's personal injury lawyers offer free case evaluations with no fee unless they secure a recovery.
New York's three-year statute of limitations (CPLR § 214) begins on the date of the attack. If you were injured by a dog in New York, the time to act is now.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
