The Severity of a Dog Bite: What Class Is Your Dog Bite?

By Attorney Christopher Brainard – California Personal Injury Lawyer

Not all dog bites are the same. Some leave minor punctures or bruises, while others result in serious injuries, disfigurement, or even permanent disability. If you've been bitten by a dog in California, understanding the severity—or class—of the bite is critical to evaluating your medical treatment, potential legal claim, and compensation.

In this article, we’ll break down the six recognized levels (or “classes”) of dog bites, what they mean under California law, and when you should speak to a personal injury attorney.

🐾 The Six Levels of Dog Bite Severity (Dunbar Bite Scale)

Veterinarians and dog behaviorists often use the Dunbar Bite Scale, a six-level system that classifies dog bites based on the severity of injury. While it’s not a legal standard, it’s a helpful tool for:

  • Describing the bite to medical professionals or lawyers

  • Evaluating risk of future attacks

  • Determining the seriousness of your legal claim

Here’s what each level means:

Level 1: Aggressive Behavior Without Contact

  • The dog growls, lunges, or snaps but does not make contact with the skin.

  • No injury, but an obvious intent to threaten or scare.

✅ Legal Note: May be relevant in a premises liability or negligence claim if repeated.

Level 2: Skin Contact Without Puncture

  • The dog’s teeth make contact with skin but do not puncture.

  • May leave superficial marks, scratches, or bruises.

✅ Legal Note: Still considered a “bite” under California’s strict liability law (Civil Code § 3342) if there was fear, pain, or lasting impact.

Level 3: One to Four Punctures From a Single Bite

  • One or more puncture wounds, each no deeper than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth.

  • May include lacerations or bruising from the victim pulling away.

🚨 Legal Consideration: Medical treatment may be required. This is where most personal injury claims begin to carry substantial value.

Level 4: Deep Punctures and Potential Tearing

  • One or more punctures deeper than half the length of the canine tooth.

  • May involve bruising, tearing, or the dog clamping and shaking.

  • Often results in muscle damage, nerve injury, or infection.

✅ Legal Note: Strong claim for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and permanent damage. This is considered a serious injury in most California courts.

Level 5: Multiple Bites With Deep Injury

  • Multiple deep bites in one attack.

  • May involve multiple body areas or prolonged attack.

  • Often results in hospitalization, stitches, or surgery.

🚨 Legal Consideration: These are catastrophic injury cases with high compensation potential. Victims may be entitled to long-term medical care, plastic surgery, and even punitive damages in egregious cases.

Level 6: Fatal Dog Attack

  • The bite results in the death of the victim—typically a child, elderly adult, or disabled person.

  • Extremely rare but devastating.

🚨 Legal Action: Surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit under California law. Dog owners may face civil and criminal liability.

💼 When Does a Dog Bite Justify a Legal Claim?

Under California Civil Code § 3342, the law is clear:

“The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog, while in a public place or lawfully in a private place…”

✅ This means:

  • You do not need to prove the dog had a history of aggression

  • You do not need to show the owner was negligent

  • You can seek compensation even if it was the dog’s first bite

🧾 What Can You Be Compensated For?

If you’ve suffered a Class 2–6 dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Emergency care and surgery

  • Physical therapy or rehabilitation

  • Pain and suffering

  • Emotional trauma or PTSD

  • Permanent disfigurement or scarring

  • Lost income or future earning capacity

  • Psychological counseling

  • Loss of quality of life

📸 What to Do After a Dog Bite in California

  1. Seek medical care immediately

  2. Document the injury with photos from day one through healing

  3. Report the bite to local animal control or law enforcement

  4. Get the dog owner’s information (name, address, insurance)

  5. Call a personal injury lawyer to protect your rights

Let LawBrainard Help You Recover

Dog bites can cause lifelong damage—both physically and emotionally. At LawBrainard, we take dog bite cases very seriously and fight for full compensation for our clients, especially in cases involving scarring, trauma, or permanent injury.

📞 Text:  (310) 266-4115
🌐 Visit: www.LawBrainard.com
🗓 Schedule a consultation to evaluate your dog bite case today.

Christopher Brainard is a California personal injury attorney representing victims of dog bites and serious injuries. He provides compassionate, aggressive legal advocacy with a focus on full and fair compensation.

*This article/blog is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Christopher Brainard, Esq. An attorney-client relationship can only be formed through a written and signed agreement with Christopher Brainard. If you need legal advice about your specific situation contact us for a consultation.  [Christopher Brainard, 651 N. Sepulveda Blvd., #2010, Bel Air, CA 90049. Tel: (310) 266 - 4115.  Email: christopherbrainard@gmail.com].

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