Who Pays After A Dog Bite In Illinois?

In Illinois, the dog’s owner is generally responsible for paying damages after a dog bite under the Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/16). Unlike some states, in Illinois the dog owner can be held liable even if the dog has never bitten anyone before, as long as the victim was lawfully present and did not provoke the animal. In most cases, compensation is paid through the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy rather than out of pocket. Illinois law also defines “owner” broadly, so liability can extend to anyone who had control over or was harboring the dog at the time. However, an owner may avoid liability if the injured person provoked the dog or was trespassing.

After a dog bite in Illinois, the dog owner's homeowners' or renters' insurance usually pays for an injuries sustained by the victim.