What Is Pennsylvania’s ‘Dangerous Dog Law’?
Pennsylvania’s Dangerous Dog Law
Pennsylvania has a specific statute — commonly called the “Dangerous Dog Law” — that establishes a formal process for identifying, declaring, and regulating dogs that pose a proven threat to public safety. Found within the broader Pennsylvania Dog Law (3 Pa. C.S. § 459-507-A), this section of the law provides both a mechanism for protecting the public from known aggressive dogs and an important avenue for dog bite victims seeking accountability from dog owners.
What Makes a Dog ‘Dangerous’ Under Pennsylvania Law?
A dog may be declared dangerous in Pennsylvania if it has:
- Inflicted severe injury on a human being without provocation on public or private property
- Killed or inflicted severe injury on a domestic animal without provocation while off the owner’s property
- Attacked a human being without provocation
- Been used in the commission of a crime
A dog may also be declared dangerous if it has a known history of attacking people or animals, even if no single prior incident resulted in severe injury. The standard focuses on the dog’s proven propensity for aggression, not just a single event.
The Dangerous Dog Proceeding
After an attack or complaint, a magisterial district judge may hold a hearing to determine whether a dog should be declared dangerous. The dog’s owner has the right to present a defense. If the dog is declared dangerous, the owner must comply with strict requirements, including:
- Keeping the dog in a secure, locked enclosure
- Posting warning signs on the property
- Having the dog neutered or spayed
- Obtaining liability insurance of at least $50,000 covering attacks by the dog
- Microchipping the dog for identification
Why a Dangerous Dog Designation Matters in Your Case
If the dog that injured you had previously been declared dangerous, or if a prior complaint was filed and ignored, the owner faces much stronger liability exposure. A dangerous dog declaration creates a documented record that the owner knew their animal posed a risk — and continued to own the dog under whatever conditions the law imposed. Violation of those conditions, or failure to obtain the required liability insurance, is directly relevant to your claim.
The Erie dog bite attorneys at Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. investigate prior attack history, dangerous dog proceedings, and insurance coverage in every dog bite case. Contact us for a free consultation.
