One minute you’re walking near your neighbor’s yard, and the next, their dog lunges without warning, leaving you injured and unsure what to do. You didn’t provoke it, and you weren’t trespassing — but now you’re dealing with pain, medical bills and questions about your legal options.
You have the right to hold the owner accountable
In New Hampshire, the law holds dog owners strictly liable for bites that happen while the animal is under their care. If a neighbor’s dog injured you while off-leash, you can sue and ask compensation for your injuries.
The law doesn’t care if the dog had a clean history or never showed signs of aggression. What matters is that the dog caused you harm and the owner failed to control it, even if it happened for the first time.
That responsibility doesn’t change based on where the bite happened
New Hampshire’s strict liability rule applies when a dog injures someone who’s lawfully present, even in public spaces or on someone else’s property. The location alone won’t deny your claim — whether the bite happened in your yard, a shared driveway or on a sidewalk, the owner still carries responsibility. What matters is that you had a lawful reason to be there and the dog wasn’t under control.
If the dog had a habit of roaming freely or if there were prior complaints, that kind of pattern can strengthen your case. However, cases involving shared or unclear boundaries require stronger evidence to show where the incident occurred and how the dog got loose.
Documentation matters in dog bite claims
You will need more than just your word to back up what happened and show that you didn’t provoke the dog, especially if your neighbor tries to shift the blame. Make sure to take photos of the injury and the scene, and ask neighbors if they saw anything or have noticed the dog off-leash before.
Additionally, save all medical records and receipts tied to your treatment or follow-up visits. If the dog’s off-leash behavior has come up before, document that too to help support your version of events. And make sure your actions didn’t escalate the situation, since that could reduce your amount of compensation. If you needed stitches, missed work or now avoid walking past that house, keep a record — it all adds weight to your claim.
Defenses from the owner could limit your recovery
Your neighbor might claim you provoked the dog or crossed into their space when the bite occurred. These arguments don’t block your case entirely, but they could reduce your payout if the court agrees.
New Hampshire applies the modified comparative fault rule, which lowers your compensation when you share part of the blame. For example, if you are found 20 percent at fault for approaching the dog too quickly, you would lose 20 percent of your final award. Navigating that kind of pushback is not easy, and it helps to reach out to someone who understands how these cases unfold.
What to do after an off-leash dog bite
A bite from a neighbor’s dog leaves more than just a wound — it disrupts your day, your peace of mind and your ability to move forward. You don’t have to let that slide or carry the burden on your own. Document everything, get medical care and talk to someone who knows how these claims work from start to finish. If you want to recover your costs and make the next step easier, it starts with knowing your rights.