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Minnesota Dog Bite Law in Plain English

If you were bitten by a dog in Minnesota, one law matters right away: Minn. Stat. § 347.22. It's a strict liability law — you do not have to show the owner was careless.

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Quick Summary

What You Need to Know

Minnesota's strict liability law means you don't have to prove the dog owner was careless. Here's what matters:

  • The dog bit or attacked you — that's the core of the claim
  • You were somewhere you had a legal right to be
  • You did not provoke the dog
  • The "owner" includes anyone harboring or keeping the dog
  • You generally have 6 years to file — but early action protects evidence

Time-Sensitive?

Act quickly if:

  • Insurance is pressuring you for a recorded statement
  • The dog owner is denying responsibility
  • Evidence at the scene needs to be preserved
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Minnesota Law

What the Law Says (Minn. Stat. § 347.22)

Minn. Stat. § 347.22

"If a dog (without provocation) attacks or injures a person who is acting peaceably in a place they may lawfully be, the dog's 'owner' is liable for the full amount of the injury. 'Owner' includes people harboring or keeping the dog."

Plain Explanation

  • This law can make the responsible person pay, even if they "did nothing wrong." That's strict liability.
  • You usually only need to show the dog bit/attacked you and caused harm.
  • You don't have to prove the dog's owner knew the dog was dangerous.
  • The key limits are provocation and whether you had a lawful right to be there.

Note: Strict liability is different from negligence. Negligence is about carelessness. Strict liability is about responsibility under the statute.

Attorney Gabe Andrade, Minnesota personal injury lawyer

Your Attorney

Gabe Andrade

Minnesota Personal Injury Attorney

Gabriel E. Andrade leads Andrade Law with a focus on accountability, careful case-building, and client-first communication. His approach is grounded in the reality that injuries disrupt everything—health, income, family life, and peace of mind—and the legal process should help, not add confusion.

If you’re navigating a serious injury, Gabe and the team can help you understand your options and what a fair path forward could look like.

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Professional Associations

Minnesota State Bar Association Ramsey County Bar Association Hennepin County Bar Association Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association Hispanic National Bar Association Minnesota Association for Justice

Responsibility

Who Can Be Liable?

Under Minn. Stat. § 347.22, "owner" can mean more than the person listed on the vet records. It can include someone harboring or keeping the dog.

Owner

The person who truly "owns" the dog. Under the statute, the owner is "primarily liable."

Dog Walker

A walker may be "keeping" the dog if they had temporary control and care.

Kennel / Boarding

A kennel may be "harboring" the dog by sheltering it, even for a short stay.

Friend Watching Dog

A friend may be "keeping" the dog if they agreed to watch it and had control.

Key Definitions

Harboring
"Sheltering or giving refuge" — Example: letting the dog stay at your home, even temporarily.
Keeping
"Temporary control and care" — Example: walking the dog, dog-sitting, or handling it during a visit.

Real-world example: If a neighbor was walking the dog that bit you, that neighbor may count as an "owner" under the law (because they were "keeping" the dog at that moment). The actual owner can still be primarily responsible.

Deadlines

How Long Do You Have to File?

Timeframe Description Citation
6 Years Most dog-bite injury claims (including strict liability) Minn. Stat. § 541.05
2 Years Intentional torts (like assault/battery-type claims) Minn. Stat. § 541.07

Critical Note

Act quickly to preserve evidence. Photos fade, witnesses disappear, and records get harder to find. Early action protects your rights.

Your Rights

When the Law Is on Your Side

Even if an insurance adjuster told you there's no coverage or claimed you provoked the dog, Minnesota law protects you. And yes — people sometimes hear a $0 offer at first. That doesn't automatically mean your case is over.

Jurisdiction Notice

Laws vary by location and specific facts. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice for your specific situation.

Your Next Steps

Step-by-Step: What to Do After a Dog Bite

1

Seek medical attention

Urgent care/ER if needed. Ask about infection, tetanus, and follow-up care.

2

Document the injury

Clear photos right away and during healing. Save torn clothing.

3

Report to authorities

Local animal control / public health. Save the report number.

4

Keep a recovery journal

Pain levels, sleep problems, anxiety, missed activities, and time off work.

5

Contact a lawyer

Before you give a recorded statement to an insurer.

The Numbers

Why This Matters

370

MN dog-bite insurance claims (2018)

4.7M

U.S. dog bites annually (CDC)

~800K

Seeking medical care per year

Common Injuries

  • Puncture wounds — deep tissue damage; infection risk can be high.
  • Lacerations — may need stitches; can leave lasting scars.
  • Infection — bacteria can cause cellulitis; rare cases can become severe.
  • Scarring / disfigurement — may require reconstructive treatment.
  • Nerve damage — numbness, weakness, or long-term pain.
  • Face/eye injuries — especially serious; can involve vision or cosmetic concerns.

Case Value

How Much Is My Case Worth?

No ethical lawyer can promise a number without facts. But these factors often drive value in a dog-bite case:

Factors Affecting Value

  • Injury severity (stitches vs. surgery, scarring, nerve damage, infection)
  • Medical costs (past + future care)
  • Lost income (missed work, reduced ability to work)
  • Non-economic harm (pain, anxiety, sleep issues, daily-life limits)
  • Insurance coverage (homeowner/renter liability limits are often $100k–$300k; umbrella coverage can raise that)

Evidence Checklist

  • ✓ Photos of injuries (daily early on, then weekly)
  • ✓ Medical records and bills
  • ✓ Your recovery journal (pain, sleep, anxiety, missed events)
  • ✓ Witness names + contact info
  • ✓ Family photos/videos showing "before vs. after" activities
  • ✓ Expert support when needed (medical experts; sometimes safety/animal handling context)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to prove negligence? +

Not always. Under Minn. Stat. § 347.22, many cases are about strict liability (statutory responsibility), not whether the owner was careless. The facts still matter — especially provocation and lawful presence.

What if the dog owner says I "provoked" the dog? +

Provocation can be a defense. Save every detail: what you did, what the dog did first, and what witnesses saw. Video, photos, and your written timeline can help.

What if insurance says there is "no coverage"? +

Coverage questions can be complicated. Don't assume the first answer is final. Get the policy details and facts reviewed.

Can I recover for emotional distress? +

Emotional harm can be real after an animal attack. Your journal, counseling records (if any), and statements from family/friends can help document it.

Special Situations

If You Were Hurt Protecting Someone Else

Minnesota recognizes a "rescue doctrine" idea in negligence cases — meaning it can be foreseeable that someone will try to help when danger happens. If you were injured while protecting a child, another adult, or even trying to stop an attack, talk to a lawyer about how that may fit your facts.

If your bite happened on someone else's property, premises liability may also matter.

For broader injury questions, see personal injury.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Andrade Law — Saint Paul. No fees unless we win your case.

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Reference

Dog Bite Glossary

Strict Liability
Responsibility under the law even if you did not act carelessly. Under Minn. Stat. § 347.22, the focus is on the attack, not whether the owner was negligent.
Harboring
Plain meaning: sheltering or giving refuge to the dog (like letting the dog stay at your home).
Keeping
Plain meaning: temporary control and care (like walking the dog or dog-sitting).
Statute of Limitations
The time limit to file a lawsuit. Some dog-bite-related claims may use a 6-year deadline; intentional tort claims can have a shorter 2-year deadline.
Comparative Fault
A rule that can reduce damages if a person is partly responsible. Dog-bite cases can be different because Minn. Stat. § 347.22 focuses on provocation and lawful presence.
Provocation
Actions that can be used as a defense to a dog-bite claim. Save facts and witness info — this issue often depends on details.

Citations

Sources

  1. Minn. Stat. § 347.22 — Dog Owner Strict Liability
  2. Minn. Stat. § 541.05 — General Statute of Limitations (6 years)
  3. Minn. Stat. § 541.07 — Intentional Tort Statute of Limitations (2 years)
  4. CDC — Dog Bite Prevention (4.7 million bites annually estimate)
  5. Insurance Information Institute — Dog Bite Liability (state claims data)
  6. Minnesota Department of Health — Rabies and Post-Exposure Guidance
  7. Minnesota Lawyer Registration — Attorney ID 0402606
  8. HNBA — Hispanic National Bar Association
  9. MSBA — Minnesota State Bar Association
  10. Minnesota Court of Appeals — JHP 2309 Lyndale, LLC v. Icon Homes LLC, et al. (A24-1225)

This page is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its facts.

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