Dog bite injuries can range from minor incidents to severe, life-altering attacks. Because they can vary so wildly in severity, professionals categorize dog bites into six distinct dog bite levels. These help identify how severe a given dog attack is. At Lipton Law in Southfield, MI, our experienced dog bite lawyers are here to help assess the severity of your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Professionals use the Dunbar Dog Bite Scale to determine the severity of a given dog bite based on various factors. This allows them to evaluate the risk posed by the dog and the extent of harm suffered by the victim. If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog in Southfield, contact one of our Michigan dog bite lawyers at Lipton Law today.
We can use the Dunbar Bite Scale to help determine the severity of your attack and help you fight for the compensation you deserve, based on the damages you suffered. Contact one of our dog bite attorneys at (248) 557-1688 to schedule a free consultation with us regarding your case.
What Is the Dunbar Bite Scale?
The Dunbar Bite Scale, developed by veterinarian and animal behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar, is a tool used to categorize the severity of dog bites based on the damage caused by the attack. It was created to help veterinarians, dog trainers, and legal professionals better understand the potential risk a dog may pose after a biting incident.
It also helps professionals make informed decisions about what to do after a dog bite in terms of dog behavior training, legal actions, or other necessary interventions. These can include muzzling the dog, confining it to certain areas of the home when children or guests are in the home, or, in the most severe cases, euthanizing the dog. This is to prevent more people from becoming dog bite victims following a dog bite attack.
How Are Dog Bite Levels Determined?
When assessing the severity of a dog bite, there are a lot of factors to take into account. Below are the criteria used to separate dog bites based on severity.
Skin Contact with the Dog’s Canine Teeth
The initial factor in determining a dog bite level is whether the dog’s canine teeth made contact with the skin. This can indicate whether or not the dog had an intention to bite the person, regardless of the perceived severity of the attack.
Puncture Wounds
Not all dog bite wounds look the same, and many have puncture wounds with varying depths. The depth of the puncture wounds and the extent of the damage caused to the skin, muscle, and underlying tissue by the bite or bites can help categorize the severity of the bite.
Number of Bites
The number of times the dog bit during the incident can also provide insight into the dog’s level of aggression and help determine the overall bite level. Multiple dog bites are often indicative of a more severe attack.
Level of Trauma
Professionals also take into consideration the level of trauma the victim suffered as a result of the dog attack when determining dog bite level. A victim who had portions of their flesh eaten by the dog that attacked them would certainly suffer a level of trauma indicative of a serious dog bite injury when compared to a victim who only suffered from scrapes and mild bruising.
6 Levels of Dog Bites
The Dunbar Dog Bite Scale separates dog bites into 6 distinct categories, or “levels,” to help distinguish between various attacks and help identify the level of severity of a given attack. Below are the various criteria for the 6 different levels of dog bite incidents.
Level 1 Dog Bite: No Skin Contact
A Level 1 dog “bite” on the Dunbar Bite Scale isn’t a bite at all. At this level, the dog displays aggressive behavior toward someone, but does not make teeth-to-skin contact with them. This level often includes growling, barking, or lunging but no actual biting or physical harm.
It serves as a warning that the dog may be uncomfortable or agitated, but it doesn’t result in any injury to the person.
Level 2 Dog Bite: Teeth Make Contact, But No Broken Skin
At Level 2, the dog’s teeth come into contact with the skin, but no punctures or breaks occur. There may be minor scrapes or bruising from the pressure of the bite, but the skin remains intact. These types of dog bites indicate an escalation in the dog’s behavior, though the intent to cause serious harm is still minimal.
Level 3 Dog Bite: One Bite With Shallow Punctures
A Level 3 bite involves a single bite that results in at least one puncture, usually between one and four puncture wounds total. The punctures, typically less than half the depth of the dog’s teeth, suggest that the dog bit down and then released without prolonged pressure.
This is the first level of dog bite severity where the dog bite is able to really break skin, increasing the risk of infection.
Level 4 Dog Bite: One Bite With Deep Punctures
Someone suffers from a level 4 dog bite if they receive a single bite that results in puncture wounds deeper than half of the length of the dog’s canine tooth. Many people suffer from these severe dog bites during dog attacks.
Level 4 bites can be accompanied by bruising or tearing around the wound due to the force applied by the dog’s jaw. The bite suggests a significant level of aggression or intent to harm, and medical attention is usually necessary to treat the injury and prevent complications.
Level 5 Dog Bite: Multiple Bites With Deep Punctures
A Level 5 bite involves multiple severe bites within one dog attack incident, each causing puncture wounds deeper than half the length of the dog’s teeth. Level 5 bites can also refer to multiple attacks, each involving at least one Level 4 bite.
The repeated biting indicates a highly aggressive or dangerous dog, as this level demonstrates a serious intent to cause harm. The victim may experience substantial tissue damage, and immediate medical intervention is required to treat the wounds and prevent long-term complications or catastrophic injuries.
Level 6 Dog Bite: Dog Inflicts Fatal Injuries or Consumes Flesh
At Level 6, the dog causes the victim to suffer from fatal injuries or consumes the victim’s skin, making it the most severe dog attack level. This level is rare but extremely dangerous, as it involves either killing the victim or causing such extensive damage that recovery is unlikely. These cases often involve legal repercussions and a thorough investigation into the dog’s behavior and history.
Oftentimes, level 6 dog bite cases meet the criteria for wrongful death lawsuits. If you have lost a loved one to one of these fatal attacks, contact a Southfield wrongful death attorney at Lipton Law today.
What Forms of Compensation Are Available in Dog Bite Claims?
If you’ve been injured in a dog bite incident, you may be entitled to seek compensation for the damages you’ve suffered. Dog bite claims can cover a variety of losses, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Rehabilitation costs
- Property damage
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral and burial expenses, in the event of a wrongful death
Pursuing a dog bite claim can help you recover these damages and provide the financial support you need during recovery. An experienced Southfield personal injury lawyer can investigate the damages you’ve suffered as a result of your dog bite and help you reclaim compensation for your losses.
What to Do After Suffering a Dog Bite in Michigan
First, seek medical attention for your injuries, even if the dog bite wound seems minor. Dog bites can lead to serious infections or complications. Additionally, seeking medical help creates a trail of medical records that may be useful in a future case against the dog owner.
If possible, gather information about the dog and its owner, including any vaccination records. It’s also important to document the scene and your injuries by taking photos and obtaining contact information from any witnesses who saw the attack or the dog’s aggressive behavior toward you.
You should report the incident to local animal control or law enforcement to create an official record. Finally, contact a Southfield premises liability attorney to discuss your legal options and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
What Is the Statute of Limitations on a Dog Bite Claim in Michigan?
In Michigan, most dog bite cases have a statute of limitations of three years from the date of the incident. This means that a dog bite victim has three years to file a lawsuit for compensation. If someone’s dog has bitten you, it’s important to act quickly. Missing this deadline could prevent you from recovering damages. A personal injury lawyer can help ensure that your claim is filed within the legal time frame.
Contact a Michigan Dog Bite Injury Lawyer at Lipton Law Today
If you’ve been injured in a dog bite incident, the legal team at Lipton Law is here to help you hold dog owners accountable for their negligence. Dog bite injuries can lead to significant medical expenses, emotional trauma, and long-term physical consequences.
At Lipton Law, we understand how overwhelming it can be to deal with these challenges. Our experienced attorneys can ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. Whether you’ve experienced physical pain, lost wages, or emotional distress from the dog attack, our team will work tirelessly to secure the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
Call (248) 557-1688 or contact us via our online contact form to speak to one of the dog bite lawyers on our team today.