Massachusetts is one of the strongest states in the country for dog bite victims. Under Massachusetts law, dog owners are strictly liable when their dog bites or injures another person, with no requirement to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
Strict liability means you do not have to show negligence or prior dangerous behavior by the dog. You generally need to show three things: the defendant owned or kept the dog, the dog caused damage to your body or property, and you were harmed as a result.
The statute is not limited to bites. It covers any damage a dog does to a person's body or property. A large dog that knocks a visitor down can create the same liability as one that bites, and a dog that damages your belongings can create liability as well. If the dog is owned by a minor, the parent or guardian is liable in the owner's place.
Massachusetts law does provide two defenses for dog owners. First, the owner is not liable if the injured person was trespassing at the time of the attack.
Second, the owner is not liable if the injured person was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog. These defenses are narrow and fact-specific. A child under seven years old is presumed not to have been trespassing or provoking the dog, which places the burden on the owner to prove otherwise.
If the injured person contributed to the incident in some other way that does not fit these statutory defenses, Massachusetts' modified comparative fault rule may reduce the damages award. You may recover as long as you are less than 51% responsible. Any award is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Quincy's residential neighborhoods, parks, and waterfront areas at Quincy Shore Drive and Wollaston Beach see regular dog-related incidents. Encounters can happen on public sidewalks, in parks, at multi-unit housing where dogs have access to shared hallways and yards, or when a dog escapes a fenced yard.
When a bite happens on someone else's property, the premises liability lawyer in Quincy may also evaluate whether the property owner bears separate responsibility for allowing an unsafe condition on their premises.
| Legal Issue | Massachusetts Rule | Authority |
| Strict liability | Owner liable without proof of prior dangerous behavior | M.G.L. c. 140, § 155 |
| One-bite rule | Does not exist in Massachusetts | M.G.L. c. 140, § 155 |
| Trespassing defense | Owner not liable if victim was trespassing | M.G.L. c. 140, § 155 |
| Provocation defense | Owner not liable if victim teased or abused the dog | M.G.L. c. 140, § 155 |
| Child presumption | Child under 7 presumed not to have provoked or trespassed | M.G.L. c. 140, § 155 |
| Comparative fault | Victim less than 51% at fault may still recover | M.G.L. c. 231, § 85 |
| Filing deadline | 3 years from the date of the bite or attack | M.G.L. c. 260, § 2A |
Dog bites frequently cause lacerations, puncture wounds, nerve damage, scarring, and infection. Attacks that involve larger dogs can result in broken bones and traumatic injuries that require surgery and extended rehabilitation.
Compensation in a Massachusetts dog bite claim may include emergency and ongoing medical costs, plastic surgery or reconstructive procedures for scarring, lost wages during recovery, permanent scarring or disfigurement, property damage, and pain and suffering. Psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder after a violent attack, are also recoverable.
No. Massachusetts has strict liability under M.G.L. c. 140, § 155, so there is no one-bite rule. You do not need to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
Location generally does not change the strict liability analysis. As long as you were not trespassing and did not provoke the dog, the owner is liable regardless of where the bite occurred.
Yes, and children under seven have an additional protection: they are legally presumed not to have trespassed or provoked the dog, placing the burden on the owner to prove otherwise.
Three years from the date of the bite or attack under M.G.L. c. 260, § 2A. Acting quickly preserves evidence and witness availability.
If you or your child suffered a dog bite in Quincy, our team at Fiorentino Legal, P.C. is open to help you.
We handle dog bite injury cases across the state, and we can go over the details of your case and help you move forward. To learn more, reach out to our team at (781) 381-6101.
Last reviewed: September 2026
This post was reviewed by Attorney Christopher Fiorentino, licensed in Massachusetts since 2013.
Content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
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