- U.S. homeowners insurers paid $1.57 billion on 22,658 dog-related injury claims in 2024, up 18.9% from 2023.[1]
- The average U.S. dog bite claim paid out $69,272 in 2024, an 18.3% jump from 2023 and an 86% climb since 2015.[1]
- Oregon is not a pure strict liability state. ORS 31.360 imposes strict liability for economic damages only; pain and suffering still requires proof the owner knew the dog was dangerous.[3]
- Oregon’s statute of limitations for a dog bite personal injury claim is two years from the date of the bite under ORS 12.110.[4]
Bitten by a dog in Portland? Call (971) 339-8080 or get your free consultation online. Available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Reviewed by James Loren, Senior Partner, Goldberg & Loren. Published August 10, 2023. Last updated April 25, 2026.
If a dog bit you in Portland, Multnomah County, or anywhere in the metro area, the first question most victims ask our firm is simple: “Do I actually have a case?”
The answer depends on where the bite happened, what the dog’s history was, and whether you’re seeking reimbursement for medical bills or broader compensation for the physical and emotional aftermath.
Oregon’s dog bite law is not what most victims expect.
This is an April 2026 update of our original 2023 post. We replaced older 2013–2019 figures with current 2024 data from the Insurance Information Institute, the CDC, and Multnomah County Animal Services, and corrected our earlier description of Oregon’s liability rules.
How often do dog bites happen in Portland?
Dog bites are climbing nationally at a pace few people realize. In 2024, U.S. homeowners and renters insurers handled 22,658 dog-related injury claims, up 18.9% from 19,062 in 2023 (Insurance Information Institute and State Farm, April 2025).[1]
Average payouts have risen 86% since 2015 as medical costs, settlements, and jury awards have all grown.
Oregon-specific bite reporting is fragmented. The Oregon Health Authority collects reports under ORS 433.345, but most data lives at the county level with Multnomah County Animal Services, Clackamas County Dog Services, and Portland Police Bureau.[5]
MCAS’s Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report shows field officers responded to 7,728 urgent calls including bite investigations, with total dog intake at 3,158: the highest since 2012.[6]
The regional and national surge in surrendered and stray dogs correlates with higher bite reporting, because animals with unknown histories are overrepresented in incidents.
What does Oregon’s dog bite law actually require?
Oregon imposes strict liability for economic damages only under ORS 31.360.[3] A bite victim does not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous to recover medical bills, lost wages, and other objectively verifiable monetary losses.
This is where an earlier version of this article was imprecise, and it’s worth setting the record straight. Oregon is not a pure strict liability state for dog bites.
The reality is more nuanced, and the difference matters enormously for what a victim can recover. The statute specifically removes the foreseeability defense for these damages.
The exact statutory language: “the plaintiff need not prove that the owner of the dog could foresee that the dog would cause the injury; and the owner of the dog may not assert as a defense that the owner could not foresee that the dog would cause the injury.”
For non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring, loss of enjoyment of life), Oregon still applies the common-law “one-bite rule.” The victim must prove the owner knew or reasonably should have known the dog had a propensity to attack.
That usually means showing prior incidents, warning signs like growling or lunging, or a dangerous dog designation by local animal control.
| Type of damages | What they cover | What victim must prove |
|---|---|---|
| Economic | Medical bills, surgery, lost wages, future medical care | The dog caused the injury (strict liability under ORS 31.360) |
| Non-economic | Pain, suffering, emotional distress, scarring, disfigurement | Owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous (scienter / one-bite rule) |
A victim can also pursue a straight negligence theory: showing the owner violated Portland’s leash law (negligence per se) or failed to supervise the dog around children. When negligence or scienter is proven, non-economic damages come back on the table.
What breeds are most involved in Portland dog bite reports?
Breed-specific statistics in Portland come mostly from a 2015 Oregonian analysis of Multnomah County bite reports, which found pit bulls ranked first in Portland-area bite investigations since 2010 (Oregonian/OregonLive, March 2015).[8] That data is now more than a decade old, so treat it as a historical reference rather than a current picture.
More recent breed data comes from DogsBite.org’s aggregation of Level 1 Trauma Center studies from 2011 to present, which consistently finds pit bulls overrepresented in severe bite injuries nationally.[9]
The organization is an advocacy group, so weigh their framing accordingly, but the underlying peer-reviewed trauma studies they cite are methodologically sound.
Two caveats are worth keeping in mind. First, breed identification in bite reports is notoriously unreliable, with visual identification at the scene of an incident disagreeing with DNA testing 40–60% of the time.
Second, an individual dog’s risk comes down to socialization, training, and supervision far more than breed, which is why insurance underwriters increasingly focus on bite history rather than breed restrictions.
How much does a dog bite claim cost in 2025–2026?
The average U.S. dog bite claim paid $69,272 in 2024, up 18.3% from $58,545 in 2023, according to the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm’s April 2025 report.[1] That’s an 86.1% jump from 2015, driven by rising medical costs, larger settlements, and growing jury awards.
| Year | Average claim | Total U.S. claims | Total U.S. payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $37,214 | ~16,550 | $571M |
| 2019 | $44,760 | ~17,800 | $797M |
| 2023 | $58,545 | 19,062 | ~$1.12B |
| 2024 | $69,272 | 22,658 | $1.57B |
Source: Insurance Information Institute and State Farm annual dog-related injury claim reports (iii.org).
Those are averages. A serious Portland dog bite case involving reconstructive surgery, permanent scarring, or nerve damage can run well into six figures.
A bite to a child’s face, which often requires pediatric plastic surgery and years of follow-up, can settle for substantially more. The CDC reports the average dog bite hospitalization alone costs about $18,200, roughly 50% higher than other injury hospitalizations.
What do Multnomah County dog bite reports show?
Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) is the primary bite-tracking agency for Portland and surrounding unincorporated areas, with field officers responding to 7,728 urgent calls in FY 2024 (MCAS Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report).[6] MCAS investigates loose-aggressive animals, bite complaints, and dangerous dog designations.
Dog intake hit 3,158 animals in FY 2024, the highest number since 2012, reflecting a regional and national surge in surrendered and stray dogs that animal welfare groups link to post-pandemic housing and cost-of-living pressures.
Higher intake tends to correlate with higher bite reporting, because animals with unknown histories are overrepresented in incidents.
If a bite happens in Portland or unincorporated Multnomah County, MCAS will be the investigating agency. Reporting a bite to MCAS is legally required.
It triggers a rabies quarantine for the dog, a review of the owner’s compliance with leash and licensing laws, and a dangerous dog assessment if warranted.
What do Clackamas County dog bite reports show?
Clackamas County Dog Services handles bites in Oregon City, Milwaukie, Happy Valley, Gladstone, parts of Lake Oswego, and the rural parts of the county. Under the county’s rabies and animal bite guidance, bites must be reported within 24 hours to the county where the victim lives.[7]
Historical county-level data from Clackamas County Animal Services showed 241 reported bites in 2020 with 157 resulting in documented injuries. More current bite-specific counts are not yet published on the county’s public-facing pages.
If you were bitten in Clackamas County within the last two years, report the incident to Clackamas County Dog Services at 503-655-8628 even if you already saw a doctor. The bite record becomes part of the dog’s history for any future incident.
When do most dog bites happen in Oregon?
Dog bites cluster heavily in the summer months. The Oregon Health Authority’s most detailed published breakdown showed over 150 bites reported each month from March through September, with the peak falling in July (Oregon Health Authority bite reporting under ORS 433.345).[5]
That seasonal pattern has held consistently in every more recent state and national study we’ve reviewed.
The reason is straightforward. More dogs outside, more kids outside, more unfamiliar human–dog contact, and more hot-weather stress on animals that are not conditioned to heat.
What should you do immediately after a Portland dog bite?
The first 24–72 hours after a bite shape both the medical outcome and any future legal claim, and Oregon’s two-year statute of limitations under ORS 12.110 starts running from the date of the bite.[4] From what we’ve seen representing Portland victims, the claims that resolve well all follow a consistent pattern.
- Get medical care, even for bites that look minor. Dog mouths carry Pasteurella, Capnocytophaga, and Staphylococcus bacteria. Puncture wounds can infect deeper tissue quickly. An ER triage or urgent care visit creates the contemporaneous medical record any claim depends on.
- Identify the dog and its owner. Get the owner’s name, address, phone, and insurance carrier if possible. Photograph the dog. If the owner walks away, ask witnesses to identify them.
- Report the bite to animal control. In Portland, file a bite report with Multnomah County Animal Services. In Clackamas County, call Dog Services at 503-655-8628. Reporting is legally required and creates the official incident record.
- Photograph the injury at intervals. Day 1, day 3, day 7, day 14. Wounds, bruising, and scarring evolve over weeks, and visual documentation strengthens any claim for non-economic damages.
- Preserve torn clothing and keep every medical bill. Parking, mileage to appointments, over-the-counter wound care, and any time missed from work all add up.
- Talk to a personal injury attorney before giving a recorded statement. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize claims. Most Portland personal injury firms offer free initial consultations.
Seeking compensation for a Portland dog bite claim
Roughly 90% of dog bite claims resolve at the insurance stage without filing suit, with the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s carrier paying out under standard liability coverage of $100,000 to $300,000 per occurrence (Insurance Information Institute, 2025).[2] A smaller share require a lawsuit when the insurer denies coverage or lowballs the offer.
Recoverable damages include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity in severe cases, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and scarring and disfigurement.
In fatal attack cases, recoverable damages also include wrongful death damages such as funeral costs and loss of consortium for surviving family members. Keep in mind that non-economic damages (pain, suffering, scarring) require proof the owner knew the dog was dangerous, or proof of negligence like a leash-law violation.
Contact Goldberg & Loren’s Portland office for a free case review. We work on contingency. No fees unless we recover for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is liable if my neighbor’s dog bit me in Oregon?
Under ORS 31.360, the dog’s owner is strictly liable for your economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future care costs) regardless of whether they knew the dog was dangerous.
For pain and suffering, you’ll need to show the owner knew or should have known the dog had a history of aggression. The owner’s homeowner’s insurance almost always pays the claim, not the owner personally.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Oregon?
Oregon’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the bite under ORS 12.110.
For minors, the clock generally doesn’t start until they turn 18. Missing the two-year deadline almost always kills the case, so reach out to an attorney well before the anniversary of the bite.
How much is a Portland dog bite claim worth?
The national average dog bite claim paid $69,272 in 2024, up 18.3% year over year (Insurance Information Institute and State Farm, April 2025).[1]
Portland-specific claims vary widely. Minor puncture bites often settle in the low five figures, while serious cases involving scarring, reconstructive surgery, or child victims can exceed $100,000. The biggest drivers are medical costs, permanence of injury, and the strength of liability evidence.
Do I have to report a dog bite in Oregon?
Yes. Dog bites must be reported to county animal control within 24 hours under Oregon’s animal bite rules (ORS 433.345).[5]
Reporting triggers a rabies quarantine for the dog, creates an official record for any future incidents, and is usually a prerequisite for any insurance claim.
Does homeowner’s insurance cover dog bites in Oregon?
Standard homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies cover dog bite liability, typically up to $100,000 to $300,000 per occurrence (Insurance Information Institute, 2025).[2]
Some insurers exclude specific breeds or require bite-history disclosures at underwriting. After a first bite, renewal premiums often rise and some insurers add exclusions, which is why dog bite claims are one of the most common sources of homeowner’s insurance disputes.
Sources
[1] Insurance Information Institute & State Farm, US Dog-Related Injury Claim Payouts Hit $1.57 Billion in 2024. April 16, 2025. iii.org
[2] Insurance Information Institute, Spotlight on: Dog bite liability. 2025. iii.org
[3] Oregon Revised Statutes, ORS 31.360 — Proof required for claim of economic damages in action arising from injury caused by dog. oregon.public.law
[4] Oregon Revised Statutes, ORS 12.110 — Actions for certain injuries to person not arising on contract. oregon.public.law
[5] Oregon Revised Statutes, ORS 433.345 — Report of animal bites; rules; handling and disposition of animals. oregon.public.law
[6] Multnomah County Animal Services, Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report. multcopets.org
[7] Clackamas County Dog Services, Rabies and Animal Bites. clackamas.us
[8] Oregonian/OregonLive, Pit bulls are No. 1 in Portland-area bite investigations, data show. March 16, 2015. (Historical reference: data is now a decade old.) oregonlive.com
[9] DogsBite.org, U.S. Dog Bite Studies. (Advocacy aggregator: verify underlying trauma studies independently.) dogsbite.org
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