Dog Bites in Columbus, Ohio: What You Need to Know
if a Dog has Attacked You or a Loved One
Dog bites can happen anywhere, but in a growing metro area like Columbus, they are more common and often more serious than many people realize. If a dog has bitten you or a loved one in Columbus, especially a child or a person working as a gig economy delivery driver, you may be facing medical bills, trauma, and legal questions you never expected. With over 30 years of experience handling injury cases throughout Ohio and Michigan, I understand how overwhelming this can feel. This blog walks you through what you should know, what your options are, and how my office can help.
Dog Bite Statistics in Columbus
Columbus has consistently ranked among the top U.S. cities for dog bite incidents, especially those involving postal workers. In the most recent United States Postal Service data, Columbus ranked #11 nationally for mail carrier dog attacks. That doesn’t even begin to account for the much larger number of non-reported or non-postal bites, especially those involving children, neighbors, and food delivery drivers.
In 2023 alone, Columbus Public Health reported over 450 dog bite incidents citywide. The actual number is likely much higher, as many go unreported unless hospital care or animal control intervention is required.
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Why Children and Delivery Workers Are Often the Ones Bitten
In my practice, I often represent families whose young children have suffered serious facial injuries from dog bites. These are some of the most heartbreaking and high-stakes cases. Children, particularly infants and toddlers, are at a higher risk due to their size, unpredictability, and inability to defend themselves. Even a single bite can cause permanent scars and emotional trauma. Knowing how to respond is critical to your recovery.
In addition to bites involving infants, another trend I am seeing involves gig economy delivery drivers, including DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, and Amazon Flex. These workers often walk up to homes without warning, sometimes with food in hand, making them prime targets for protective or territorial dogs. While postal workers often receive extensive training to avoid dog attacks, these delivery drivers receive little or no formal training in how to avoid dog bites. Further, USPS employees receive federal benefits that the private delivery companies don’t have. That makes a personal injury claim the primary route to recover medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. This issue is very specific to the individual facts for your situation, and legal analysis is important.
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Ohio’s Strict Liability Law: What It Means for Your Claim
Ohio is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites. That means an owner is automatically responsible if their dog bites someone, even if the dog has never shown aggression before and even if the owner wasn’t otherwise negligent.
The statute governing these cases is Ohio Revised Code § 955.28(B), which states:
The owner, keeper, or harborer of a dog is liable in damages for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the dog.
There’s also an option to bring a negligence claim for instance, if the dog was loose in violation of leash laws, or if the owner failed to warn about a known dangerous dog. In some cases, it makes sense to pursue both legal theories in order to maximize your recovery.
What About Homeowners Insurance?
The good news is that most dog bite claims are covered under the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. This remains true even if the bite occurred off the owner's property (like on a sidewalk or during a delivery). In Ohio, many of the successful cases I’ve handled involve pursuing a claim directly with the dog owner's insurer.
That said, insurers don’t pay out willingly. They may try to:
· Blame the victim for provoking the dog
· Deny coverage based on breed exclusions
· Deny coverage based on policy limitations
· Minimize the injury or disfigurement
· Dispute the facts of the bite
Having an attorney with decades of success and experience makes a significant difference. I know how to deal with these insurers and how to document the injury, lost wages, and emotional toll so you get the compensation you deserve.
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Columbus Dog Bite Ordinances
In addition to state law, Columbus has specific ordinances under Chapter 2327 of the Columbus City Code, which impose duties on dog owners. For example:
· Dogs must be leashed in public unless in a designated off-leash area.
· Owners must maintain control and prevent their dogs from attacking or menacing others.
· The city also designates certain dogs as dangerous or vicious based on past behavior. Owners of such dogs must follow stricter requirements, such as muzzling, registration, and higher insurance minimums.
Violations of these laws can be powerful evidence in a civil injury case.
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Real Incidents from Columbus
To give this discussion context, consider a few recent Columbus-area cases:
1. Postal Carrier Attacked in North Linden—In 2023, an unleased dog broke through a screen door and attacked a USPS carrier delivering mail on Loretta Avenue. The injuries required surgery. This incident highlighted the continuing problem of improper restraint and lack of homeowner responsibility in certain Columbus neighborhoods.
2. Uber Eats Driver Bitten on the West Side
In 2022, a dog bit an Uber Eats driver’s hand while delivering dinner to a West Broad Street address. After the customer opened the door, the dog lunged at the driver. Despite needing stitches and time off work, the driver faced resistance from the homeowner's insurer due to a claim of provocation. These cases highlight how gig workers fall through the cracks.
3. Child Attacked in Backyard
A 5-year-old child was seriously injured in a backyard in Clintonville during a playdate, after the host’s dog snapped without warning. The child required facial surgery. This case underscores how even familiar dogs can behave unpredictably and how homeowner’s insurance often becomes the key to compensation.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Columbus
If a dog has bitten you or your child, here’s what to do:
1. Get medical attention immediately. It is very important to know that even minor-looking bites can become infected.
2. Report the incident to Columbus Animal Control (614-525-3400) or the proper police department. When you obtain medical treatment, the provider should report the bite to the local dog warden.
3. Document everything: take photos of the wounds, the location, and the dog if possible.
4. Get the dog owner’s information, including address and insurance if available.
5. Call an attorney early, and before speaking to the insurance company.
I offer free consultations, and you’ll speak directly to me not a call center or junior associate. I’ve helped hundreds of clients in Ohio, and I understand the insurance system, the city laws, and what it takes to hold negligent dog owners accountable.
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Frequently Asked Questions
· Can I sue if the dog has never bitten anyone before? Yes. Ohio’s strict liability law means the owner is responsible regardless of the dog’s history. Each state has its own law on this issue, so it is important to understand.
· What if the bite happened at a friend’s or relative’s house? You can still pursue a claim against their insurance, so practically speaking, you aren’t pursuing them personally. In most cases, they won’t pay out of pocket.
· Do delivery drivers have any protection? Yes. If you’re bitten while delivering, you can file a personal injury claim against the property owner. In many cases, your delivery platform (like Amazon or DoorDash) may provide limited secondary coverage, but most of the time, it’s the homeowner’s insurance that ultimately pays. This can get involved and you need to properly address any recovery rights.
· Can I recover for emotional distress or scarring? Absolutely. In cases involving infants and children, scarring (especially facial) and trauma can be among the most significant damages. Compensation includes, but is not limited to things like:
· Cosmetic surgery costs
· Therapy or counseling
· Pain and suffering
· Long-term impact on self-image or development
A Personal Note from My Practice
For over 30 years, I’ve sat with families after some of the hardest days of their lives when a child has been bitten, when someone’s face is scarred, when a delivery worker is afraid to go back to work. These aren’t just legal cases. They’re stories about people trying to rebuild their lives.
I’ve learned that no two cases and no two clients are the same. I handle each one personally from the first phone call to the final resolution. When you reach out, you’re not getting passed around. You’re getting me.
You don’t have to know what to do next, that’s my job. I’ll guide you through it.
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Talk to a Columbus Dog Bite Lawyer Who Cares
If you’ve been injured by a dog in Columbus whether you’re a parent, a delivery driver, or simply a pedestrian you don’t have to go through this alone. With over 30 years of experience, I bring personal attention and real legal know-how to every case.
As a small, approachable practice, I’m easy to reach and here to help. Let’s discuss your options. Your consultation is free, and your peace of mind starts now. Contact Me Today.
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I handle cases throughout Columbus, the surrounding areas and statewide.