You are walking through Memorial Park on a Saturday morning when a dog breaks free from its owner and lunges at you. Or your child is playing in a neighbor's yard in the Lower Valley when their unsecured dog attacks without warning. Dog bites happen fast, and the injuries they leave behind, deep puncture wounds, torn tissue, broken bones, infections, and lasting scars, can change your life.
El Paso's warm climate means people and dogs spend more time outdoors year-round, and dog bite incidents are more common than many residents realize. If you or a family member has been bitten, understanding Texas dog bite law is the first step toward getting the compensation you deserve.
Texas's One-Bite Rule Explained
Unlike some states that impose strict liability on dog owners for any bite, Texas follows what is commonly called the "one-bite rule." This does not mean every dog gets one free bite. It means that to hold a dog owner liable, you must show that:
- The owner knew the dog had bitten someone before or had acted aggressively in the past, or
- The owner was negligent in controlling or restraining the dog
The first path requires evidence that the dog had dangerous propensities and the owner was aware of them. Prior bite reports, complaints to El Paso Animal Services, aggressive behavior toward neighbors, or a history of lunging at people on walks all establish this knowledge.
The second path is often more straightforward. If a dog owner let their animal roam without a leash, failed to secure a gate, or ignored a "beware of dog" warning they themselves posted, that negligence can establish liability regardless of whether the dog has bitten before.
El Paso Leash Laws and Local Ordinances
El Paso city ordinances require dogs to be kept under control at all times. Dogs must be on a leash or confined within a secure enclosure. An owner who allows their dog to roam free in neighborhoods like Segundo Barrio, Cielo Vista, or the Westside is violating local law, and that violation can serve as powerful evidence of negligence in a dog bite case.
El Paso also has dangerous dog provisions. If a dog has been previously declared dangerous by Animal Services, the owner faces stricter requirements including secure fencing, liability insurance, and registration. Failure to comply with these requirements after a dangerous dog designation significantly strengthens a victim's case.
If you are bitten, report the incident to El Paso Animal Services at 915-212-8700. This creates an official record and triggers an investigation that may reveal prior complaints about the same animal.
What to Do After a Dog Bite
The steps you take immediately after a dog bite can significantly affect both your health and your legal claim:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Dog bites carry a high risk of infection, including from bacteria like Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, and in rare cases, rabies. Deep puncture wounds, bites to the face or hands, and any bite on a child require emergency care
- Identify the dog and its owner. Get the owner's name, address, and phone number. Ask for proof of rabies vaccination. If the dog was a stray, note its appearance, size, color, and the exact location of the attack
- Report to El Paso Animal Services. An official report creates documentation that is difficult for the dog owner to dispute later. Animal Services can also quarantine the dog to test for rabies
- Document your injuries. Take photos of your wounds immediately after the attack and throughout your healing process. Photograph torn clothing, the location where the bite occurred, and any lack of fencing or leash
- Contact a personal injury attorney. Insurance companies representing dog owners will try to minimize your claim or argue that you provoked the animal. An experienced attorney protects your interests from the start
Compensation for Dog Bite Victims
Dog bite injuries often require extensive medical treatment, and the compensation you can pursue reflects that. Depending on the severity of the attack, you may be entitled to recover:
- Medical expenses: Emergency room visits, surgery, reconstructive procedures, antibiotics, rabies treatment, and physical therapy
- Lost wages: Time missed from work during treatment and recovery
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain from the bite wounds and ongoing discomfort during healing
- Scarring and disfigurement: Dog bites frequently leave permanent scars, especially on the face, arms, and hands. Compensation accounts for both the physical scarring and its emotional impact
- Emotional trauma: Dog bite victims, especially children, often develop lasting anxiety, PTSD, and a fear of dogs that affects their daily lives
- Future medical care: Some bites require multiple surgeries over months or years, particularly those involving nerve damage or facial reconstruction
In cases where the dog owner's conduct was especially reckless, such as knowingly keeping an aggressive dog without any restraints in a neighborhood with children, punitive damages may also be available.
Landlord and Property Owner Liability
Dog bite liability does not always rest solely with the dog's owner. In El Paso, where many families rent apartments or homes, landlords can also be held responsible if they knew a tenant's dog was dangerous and failed to act.
If a landlord received complaints about an aggressive dog in their property, witnessed the dog behaving dangerously, or allowed a tenant to keep a breed restricted by the lease agreement, the landlord may share liability for a bite that occurs on or near the property. This is especially relevant in El Paso's larger apartment complexes along Viscount Boulevard, Lee Trevino, and the Eastside, where shared common areas increase the risk of encounters with poorly controlled animals.
Property owners who host guests can also be liable under premises liability if they fail to warn visitors about or secure a known-dangerous dog on their property.
The Statute of Limitations
In Texas, you have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the bite occurred across the state line in New Mexico, the deadline extends to three years. Missing these deadlines means losing your right to compensation entirely, regardless of how serious your injuries are.
Do not wait to take action. Evidence fades, witnesses become harder to locate, and Animal Services records may not be preserved indefinitely. The sooner you contact an attorney, the stronger your case will be.
Bitten by a Dog in El Paso? We Fight for You
A dog bite can leave you with painful injuries, expensive medical bills, permanent scars, and emotional trauma that lingers long after the wounds heal. You should not have to pay for someone else's failure to control their animal.
Lovett & Murray has more than 30 years of experience helping dog bite victims across El Paso, West Texas, and Southern New Mexico get the compensation they deserve. We investigate every angle, from the dog's history to the owner's negligence to potential landlord liability, to build the strongest possible case.
We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Call 915-757-9999 or reach out online. Our bilingual team is ready to help.