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Chicago Chow Chow Dog Bite Lawyer
A Chow Chow attack can happen fast, and the injuries are serious. Whether you were bitten near Millennium Park, outside an apartment building in Lincoln Park, or on a sidewalk in Wicker Park, Illinois law gives you the right to hold the dog’s owner fully accountable. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we help injured victims across Chicago pursue the compensation they deserve after Chow Chow dog bite attacks.
Table of Contents
- Why Chow Chow Bites Are Especially Dangerous
- The Illinois Animal Control Act and Chow Chow Attacks
- What Happens After a Chow Chow Bite in Chicago
- Damages You Can Recover After a Chow Chow Attack
- How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Handles Chow Chow Bite Cases
- FAQs About Chicago Chow Chow Dog Bite Lawyer
Why Chow Chow Bites Are Especially Dangerous
Chow Chows are not your average family dog. Originally bred in China for hunting, herding, and guarding, Chow Chows have developed a strong protective nature over the centuries. That protective instinct does not simply disappear in an urban setting like Chicago. When a Chow Chow feels its territory is threatened, it can strike without warning, and the results can be devastating.
Chow Chows are often cited as a breed to be cautious around, largely due to their strong-willed and territorial nature, and they rank among the breeds most frequently involved in bite incidents in various studies. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Chow Chows are among the breeds most frequently represented in serious biting incidents. That is not a coincidence. Their physical build, combined with a deep distrust of strangers, makes them a real danger in public spaces.
Chow Chows tend to be aloof and suspicious of strangers by temperament, which can translate into aggressive behavior if the dog feels threatened or if someone encroaches on its territory. Think about a child reaching out to pet a Chow Chow on the 606 Trail, or a delivery worker approaching a door in Pilsen. Neither person is doing anything wrong. Yet that instinctive territorial response can result in a serious bite, deep puncture wounds, nerve damage, or even facial injuries requiring reconstructive surgery.
A study on dog-specific risk factors found that Chow Chows were more likely to bite non-household members, particularly children under 12. This matters in Chicago, where dogs share parks, elevators, hallways, and crowded sidewalks with the public every day. If you or your child was bitten by a Chow Chow, the law is on your side.
The Illinois Animal Control Act and Chow Chow Attacks
Illinois does not give dog owners a free pass the first time their dog bites someone. Under Chicago personal injury lawyer standards and The Illinois Animal Control Act, the owner is responsible from the very first incident. However, this is not true strict liability as there are defenses available to dog owners, such as provocation and assumption of risk.
Under 510 ILCS 5/16 of The Illinois Animal Control Act, if a dog attacks or injures any person without provocation, and that person is lawfully present in any place, the dog’s owner is liable for the full amount of the injury. This means that a dog owner can be held liable for injuries caused by their dog regardless of whether the dog has shown previous signs of aggression. You do not need to prove the owner was careless. You do not need to show the dog had bitten before. You simply need to show you were where you had a right to be, you did nothing to provoke the attack, and the dog bit you.
To hold the dog owner liable, the victim must prove the dog attacked, attempted to attack, or injured the victim; the victim was lawfully present on public or private property; and the victim did not provoke the dog. That framework applies whether you were bitten in Grant Park, on a CTA platform, or outside a condo building in the South Loop.
The definition of “owner” under 510 ILCS 5/2.16 is also broad. An “owner” means any person having a right of property in an animal, or who keeps or harbors an animal, or who has it in their care, or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits a dog to remain on any premises occupied by them. That means a landlord who knew a tenant kept a dangerous Chow Chow, or a dog sitter watching the animal for the weekend, could potentially share liability for your injuries.
What Happens After a Chow Chow Bite in Chicago
After a Chow Chow attack, the steps you take in the first 24 to 48 hours can make or break your legal claim. Your first priority is medical care. Even if the wound looks minor, Chow Chow bites can cause deep tissue damage and carry a real risk of infection. Get to a hospital or urgent care center right away, whether that is Northwestern Memorial, Rush University Medical Center, or your nearest emergency room on the North Side.
Reporting the bite is also required under Illinois law. Under The Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/13 and 5/13.5), any dog that bites a person must be reported to the local animal control administrator. Once reported, the dog must be confined for observation. Under 510 ILCS 5/13, the biting animal is subject to a confinement period of typically ten days to ensure it is observed for signs of rabies, and only a licensed veterinarian can release the animal early, with failure to comply resulting in penalties for the owner.
Additionally, under 510 ILCS 5/13(a-5), the owner must present the dog to a licensed veterinarian within 24 hours of the documented bite. The veterinarian must record the animal’s clinical condition immediately and submit a written report to the animal control administrator. These records become important evidence in your personal injury claim. They document the dog’s history, condition, and the owner’s compliance with state law.
Take photos of your injuries before treatment if possible. Collect the name and contact information of the dog’s owner and any witnesses. If the attack happened near a business or intersection with surveillance cameras, like along Michigan Avenue or in the Fulton Market District, note that too. Your dog bite lawyer in Chicago can work to preserve that video evidence before it is overwritten.
Damages You Can Recover After a Chow Chow Attack
Chow Chow bites cause serious, lasting harm. A strong bite from this breed can tear muscle, damage nerves, fracture bones, and leave permanent scars, especially on the hands, arms, and face. The financial and emotional toll of these injuries is real, and Illinois law allows you to pursue compensation for all of it.
Recoverable damages in a Chow Chow dog bite case include medical expenses, both current and future. That covers emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and any ongoing treatment you need. If your injuries kept you out of work, you can also claim lost wages. For victims with serious disfigurement, such as facial scarring, the compensation can include future lost earning capacity as well.
Pain and suffering damages are also available. These cover the physical pain from the attack itself, as well as the emotional trauma that follows. Many dog bite victims, particularly children, develop anxiety, PTSD, and a lasting fear of dogs after a serious attack. Pain and suffering compensation covers physical pain and emotional trauma. These non-economic damages can be significant, and they deserve to be taken seriously.
In 2024, over 22,000 dog bite claims were filed in the U.S., costing insurers around $1.6 billion, with an average of about $69,000 per claim, a number that has been rising sharply in recent years. That average reflects how seriously courts and insurers treat these injuries. Many insurance companies include Chow Chows on their list of restricted breeds because of the breed’s bite history, and home insurers have been known to raise premiums or deny coverage for Chow owners. If the owner’s insurer tries to deny or minimize your claim, a skilled dog bite lawyer can push back and fight for full compensation.
How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Handles Chow Chow Bite Cases
Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has handled personal injury cases across Chicago and the surrounding area for decades. Our team understands Illinois dog bite law inside and out, and we know how to build a strong case on your behalf. We work with clients throughout the city, from Rogers Park and Andersonville to Hyde Park and Bridgeport, as well as in suburban Cook County.
When you contact us, we start by reviewing the facts of your case at no charge. We look at the circumstances of the attack, the identity of the owner, the dog’s history, and the extent of your injuries. If the Chow Chow had prior complaints filed against it, or if the owner violated Chicago’s leash laws, those facts strengthen your claim. Under 510 ILCS 5/15, a dog can be formally classified as dangerous or vicious, and that designation carries real legal weight in a civil case.
We also handle the insurance side of your claim. Many Chow Chow owners have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance that covers dog bite liability. Insurance companies may attempt to minimize payouts or deny claims. Our team knows the tactics insurers use, and we are prepared to counter them. We do not let adjusters lowball our clients or shift blame onto the victim.
The Illinois Animal Control Act gives you two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. That deadline matters. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and surveillance footage gets deleted. The sooner you speak with a dog bite attorney, the better your chances of building a complete and compelling case. If you or a loved one was attacked by a Chow Chow anywhere in the Chicago area, contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Victims attacked near Chicago landmarks like the lakefront path, Humboldt Park, or in the busy neighborhoods along the Blue or Red Line deserve real legal help. Our firm is ready to fight for you. Contact a dog bite lawyer at our firm to get started.
FAQs About Chicago Chow Chow Dog Bite Lawyer
Does Illinois law cover Chow Chow bites even if the dog never bit anyone before?
Yes. The Illinois Animal Control Act follows a liability standard under 510 ILCS 5/16. The dog’s owner is responsible for the full amount of your injuries even if the Chow Chow had no prior history of biting. You do not need to prove the owner was negligent or knew the dog was dangerous. You only need to show you were lawfully present, you did not provoke the dog, and the attack caused your injuries.
What if the Chow Chow that bit me belongs to my neighbor or a friend?
You still have the right to file a claim. Illinois law does not create an exception for dogs owned by people you know. Many dog bite claims are paid through the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, so pursuing a claim does not necessarily mean suing your neighbor out of pocket. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help you understand your options and handle the process professionally.
Can I recover compensation if the Chow Chow bite left me with permanent scarring?
Absolutely. Permanent scarring and disfigurement are recognized damages under Illinois law. If the bite left visible scars on your face, hands, or arms, you can seek compensation for both the physical impact and the emotional harm that comes with permanent disfigurement. The more serious and visible the scarring, the greater the potential value of your claim.
How long does a Chow Chow dog bite case take to resolve in Chicago?
The timeline varies depending on the severity of your injuries, whether the owner’s insurance cooperates, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Many cases resolve within several months through negotiation, while others take longer if litigation is necessary. Starting the process quickly helps preserve evidence and keeps all legal options open within Illinois’ two-year statute of limitations.
What should I do if the Chow Chow owner claims I provoked the dog?
Provocation is the primary defense dog owners use to avoid liability under Illinois law. However, the bar for proving provocation is high. Simply approaching the dog, making eye contact, or being near the animal does not count as provocation. If the owner makes this claim, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg will gather witness statements, video evidence, and other documentation to counter it and protect your right to full compensation.
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