Dog Attacks on Women in Maryland

Kellie T. Barnes, Attorney at Law can help you if you’ve been injured after a dog attack in Maryland.

Being bitten by a dog is one of those moments that turns a normal day into something overwhelming.

If you’re a woman recovering from a dog attack in Maryland, you don’t have to go through the next steps alone.

Our team is here to walk you through what comes next and what your options look like. Set up a free consultation today.

Should I Talk to a Lawyer After Being Bitten by a Dog?

Women reach out to a lawyer at very different points in the process.

Some call the same day because the fear hasn’t worn off and they don’t know what to do next. Others wait until the swelling gets worse, or after someone at work says, “You should probably get that checked out.” And many women hesitate because they don’t want to upset a neighbor, a friend, or a family member who owns the dog. All of that is normal.

But the reality is that you’re dealing with a lot of problems–on top of everything else. That’s when you should think about talking to our team. We’ll give you:

A clear explanation of your rights and options
An understanding who may be responsible under Maryland law.
An idea of what financial help you can get

Sometimes the biggest benefit isn’t legal at all—it’s having someone show you the next step so you don’t feel like you’re trying to go through everything alone.

What Information Should I Try to Hold On To After the Attack?

Very few people think about gathering evidence in the moment. Most women are worried about whether the wound is deep, whether the dog is still loose, or how fast they can get to urgent care. If you managed to grab anything at all, that’s great—but if you didn’t, that’s completely normal. We rebuild the story all the time using what we can gather after the fact. Still, certain things tend to be especially helpful:

Medical records from every visit. ER notes, urgent care records, follow-up appointments, prescriptions—each one helps document how the injury developed.
Any information about the dog or the owner. A name, an address, a house description, the dog’s color or size—even small details can help track down ownership.
Photos of your injuries. They don’t need to be taken right away. Pictures from later that evening or the next day can still show the severity.
Animal control report. You should call your local animal control to check the dog’s vaccination history, and they’ll know if the dog has a history of attacks. This is also a way of getting a neutral, official report of the attack itself.
Names of people who saw the attack or came outside afterward. Neighbors, passersby, delivery drivers—anyone who witnessed the aftermath can help confirm details about what happened
Clothing or items the dog tore or damaged. Shredded sleeves, ripped leggings, broken glasses—these help show the force of the attack.

It may feel strange to think of these things as “evidence.”

Try thinking of them as pieces of your story—we simply help put those pieces together.

How Does Maryland Law Handle Dog Attacks?

Maryland’s dog bite laws lean strongly toward protecting people who’ve been injured. In many situations, the state applies what’s known as strict liability.

That means if a dog injures you, the law starts from a simple place:

The owner is responsible, full stop.

They don’t get a free pass just because the dog has “never done that before,” or because the dog is usually gentle with family members. Under strict liability, the focus is on what happened to you—not the dog’s past behavior or whether the owner thought the dog was harmless. The only way that strict liability might not apply is if:

You were trespassing.
You intentionally provoked the dog.

Obviously, there’s wiggle room there. But the main point is that when you’re attacked by a dog, the owner is legally responsible. And that’s important when it comes to the actual process of getting financial help.

What Losses Can I Recover After a Dog Attack in Maryland?

Dog attacks aren’t just about a single wound. You’re often facing consequences that extend long past the initial injury. Things like scarring on your arms, legs, or hands that now make you self-conscious, sleep changes, or even just tensing up every time you hear a barking dog are all part of what’s called your “damages.”

And you can get financial help for these damages by:

Filing an insurance claim outside of court.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit.

Once filed, it’s about showing what you’ve specifically lost because of the dog attack. That can include costs for your:

Medical expenses, both now and in the future for permanent injuries or scarring
Lost income or a loss of earning potential
Repair/replacement costs for torn clothes, broken glasses, or other personal items damaged in the bite.
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Reduced quality of life
Scarring/disfigurement

Maryland generally gives you three years to file a dog attack claim.

But the sooner you get information, the easier it is to document how the attack has affected you.

Where Do Dog Attacks Commonly Happen to Women in Maryland?

You probably already know that a dog attack can happen anywhere you interact with a dog. But most of the time, they happen in places you’re familiar with–and even with dogs you’re familiar with. Here’s where dog attacks commonly happen to women like you:

Driveways, porches, and front yards. A dog slipping through a barely open front door is more common than most people think.
Sidewalks and neighborhood streets, especially in areas where homeowners let their dogs roam unfenced.
Parks and trails. Spots like Quiet Waters Park or Broadneck Park are popular for dog owners, but brings them into contact with you and others that also go there.
Apartment complexes and townhome communities. Shared hallways, parking lots, and grassy areas create unpredictable encounters.
Friends’ and relatives’ homes. Many women are bitten by dogs they’ve been around before—even dogs that previously seemed calm.

Where it happened doesn’t determine whether you have a claim. What matters is the dog’s behavior, the owner’s responsibility, and the impact on your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I file a claim after a dog bite in Maryland?

You generally have up to three years from the date of the bite, but starting sooner helps preserve evidence and locate the dog’s owner, especially if the attack happened in public spaces like parks or sidewalks.

What if I don’t know who owns the dog?

You can still file a claim—we help track down the owner using available records, witnesses, and local resources.

Do I have to call animal control to report my attack?

You don’t have to, but reporting to animal control is important because it makes an official record that can strengthen your claim and helps prevent future attacks.

Helping Women Injured in Dog Attacks in Maryland

Dog bites happen suddenly and can be scary, painful, and overwhelming. And they can happen anywhere you see a dog.

Whether it’s on a jog, shopping downtown, or simply walking in your own neighborhood, these attacks can leave you facing pain and confusion.

At Kellie T. Barnes, Attorney at Law, we take the time to explain your options, handle the legal details, and make sure your experience is understood. From gathering evidence to filing your claim, our goal is to make the process clear, manageable, and focused on helping you regain a sense of control and move forward.

Set up a free consultation today to get started.