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Chicago Shih Tzu Dog Bite Lawyer
Shih Tzus are one of Chicago’s most popular companion dogs. You see them in Lincoln Park, along the Riverwalk, in apartment buildings in Wicker Park, and on sidewalks throughout the North Side. They look harmless, and most of the time they are. But a Shih Tzu bite can still break skin, cause infection, leave scars, and in the case of young children, cause serious facial injuries. If a Shih Tzu bit you or your child in Chicago, Illinois law gives you real rights, and Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is ready to help you use them.
Table of Contents
- Why Shih Tzu Bites Happen More Often Than People Expect
- Illinois Animal Control Act and What It Means for Your Case
- What Happens After a Shih Tzu Bite Under Illinois Law
- Injuries from Shih Tzu Bites and the Damages You Can Recover
- How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Builds a Strong Shih Tzu Bite Claim
- FAQs About Chicago Shih Tzu Dog Bite Lawyer
Why Shih Tzu Bites Happen More Often Than People Expect
Most people assume small dogs are safe dogs. That assumption gets people hurt. Like all dogs, Shih Tzus can exhibit biting behaviors, and factors such as fear, territoriality, pain, or poor socialization can drive a Shih Tzu to bite. The breed’s small size gives owners a false sense of security. Many Shih Tzu owners never invest in proper training because they figure a small dog cannot do real damage. That thinking is wrong.
Among identified breeds in one major study of dog bite injury data, Shih Tzus ranked second overall, accounting for 5.3% of identified bites, trailing only pit bulls. That is a striking number for a toy breed. The reason is partly popularity. Shih Tzus are everywhere in Chicago, from condo buildings in the Gold Coast to bungalows in Beverly. More dogs in more homes means more chances for a bite to happen.
Research published through the National Institutes of Health found that Shih Tzu bites are more common in children three years of age and younger, and that head and neck injuries are more common in younger children. Think about what that means practically. A toddler crouches down to pet a Shih Tzu at eye level. The dog feels cornered or threatened. The bite lands on the child’s face. What looks like a minor incident can result in stitches, scarring, nerve damage, and lasting psychological trauma.
Bites also happen in shared spaces. Elevators in River North high-rises, hallways in Lakeview apartment buildings, and common areas in condo developments throughout the city all create close-contact situations where a nervous or territorial Shih Tzu may snap without warning. The location does not change your rights under Illinois law. If you were bitten in a place where you had every right to be, the owner is responsible.
Illinois Animal Control Act and What It Means for Your Case
Illinois does not give dog owners a free pass just because their pet has never bitten anyone before. Under The Illinois Animal Control Act, specifically unlike states that require proof of negligence or a prior history of aggressive behavior (often referred to as the “one-bite rule”), Illinois law holds owners liable for injuries caused by their dogs, though certain defenses such as provocation and assumption of risk may apply.
The governing statute is 510 ILCS 5/16. It states that if a dog, without provocation, attacks or injures any person who is peaceably conducting themselves in any place where they may lawfully be, the owner is liable for the full amount of the injury. Three things matter under this law. First, the attack must be unprovoked. Second, you must have been somewhere you had a legal right to be. Third, the defendant must qualify as an “owner” under the statute.
That third point is broader than most people realize. In Illinois, a dog owner is defined as “any person having a right of property in an animal, or who keeps or harbors an animal, or who has it in his care, or acts as its custodian,” which means a person can be counted as a dog’s owner even if they are just dog-sitting for the weekend. So if a neighbor was watching someone’s Shih Tzu and that dog bit you in the hallway of your Bucktown apartment building, that neighbor may be liable under the Act.
While this standard makes it easier to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages compared to states requiring proof of negligence, it is important to understand that defenses may still be available to dog owners. An experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can evaluate these factors and put Illinois dog bite law to work for you.
What Happens After a Shih Tzu Bite Under Illinois Law
After a dog bite in Chicago, Illinois law sets a clear process in motion. Under 510 ILCS 5/13, the dog must be confined under the observation of a licensed veterinarian for a period of not less than 10 days from the date the bite occurred. This quarantine period exists to rule out rabies and protect public health. The owner cannot simply take the dog home and pretend nothing happened.
The law also requires action from the owner quickly. Mandatory reporting and rabies observation apply, and if a dog bites someone, the incident must be reported to the local administrator, and the dog must be confined for observation, usually 10 days. Under 510 ILCS 5/13(a-5), the owner must present the animal to a licensed veterinarian within 24 hours. The vet must document the dog’s clinical condition immediately and submit a written report that includes the owner’s name, address, the dog’s breed, age, sex, and microchip number.
These records matter for your case. The veterinary report, the animal control report, and any prior complaint history all become evidence. If the Shih Tzu that bit you had been reported before, or if the owner violated Chicago’s leash laws at the time of the attack, those facts can strengthen your claim. Under 510 ILCS 5/15, if a dog has a documented history of aggression and has been found dangerous on three separate occasions, it can be classified as a “vicious dog” under Illinois law. That classification carries serious legal weight in civil proceedings.
If you were bitten near Millennium Park, in a parking garage in the Loop, or in a retail space on Michigan Avenue, the reporting process is the same. Contact Chicago Animal Care and Control, seek medical treatment immediately, and preserve every piece of documentation you can. A dog bite lawyer can guide you through the investigation process and make sure nothing critical slips through the cracks.
Injuries from Shih Tzu Bites and the Damages You Can Recover
People sometimes downplay a Shih Tzu bite because the dog is small. But a bite that breaks the skin is a serious medical event regardless of the dog’s size. Puncture wounds carry bacteria deep into tissue. It is estimated that 15% to 20% of dog bite wounds become infected, with occasional cases of meningitis and endocarditis leading to death. A Shih Tzu bite to a child’s face can require stitches, plastic surgery, and leave permanent scarring. A bite to a hand or finger can damage tendons and affect grip strength for life.
Infection is one of the most serious risks. Capnocytophaga and Pasteurella bacteria are commonly found in dog mouths, and either can cause severe illness if the wound is not treated quickly and properly. Beyond physical injury, many bite victims, especially children, develop lasting fear of dogs and anxiety in situations where dogs may be present. These psychological effects are real, documented, and compensable under Illinois law.
Under 510 ILCS 5/16, the owner is liable for the full amount of the injury. That includes medical expenses, both current and future. It includes lost wages if you missed work. It includes pain and suffering. It includes any permanent disfigurement or scarring. If a child was bitten, it may also include the cost of psychological counseling and any impact on the child’s quality of life going forward.
Insurance companies handling these claims often offer quick, low settlements before you know the full scope of your injuries. Do not accept a settlement before you understand what your case is worth. The dog bite lawyer team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can assess the full value of your claim, including damages that are easy to overlook, and fight for every dollar you deserve.
How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Builds a Strong Shih Tzu Bite Claim
Building a successful dog bite claim in Chicago requires more than knowing the law. It requires gathering the right evidence fast, before it disappears. Surveillance cameras in apartment lobbies and retail stores are often overwritten within days. Witnesses forget details. Animal control records get harder to access over time. Acting quickly is not just smart, it is necessary.
At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, the team works to secure all relevant documentation from the start. That means obtaining animal control reports, veterinary quarantine records, any prior bite complaints against the same dog, and medical records that document the full extent of your injuries. If the bite happened in a shared building space, like a hallway in an Evanston condo or an elevator in a South Loop high-rise, liability may extend beyond the dog’s owner to include a property management company or landlord. These third-party liability angles matter and can significantly increase the compensation available to you.
The firm also handles the insurance side. Insurance companies may attempt to minimize payouts or deny claims. Adjusters are trained to find reasons to reduce what they pay. They may argue you provoked the dog, that your injuries are not as serious as claimed, or that your medical treatment was excessive. Having legal representation from the beginning sends a clear message that you are not going to be pressured into accepting less than you deserve.
Illinois gives dog bite victims two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. That deadline sounds distant, but evidence fades fast. If you or your child was bitten by a Shih Tzu anywhere in Chicago or the surrounding Cook County area, contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for a free consultation. The dog bite lawyers at the firm handle these cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they recover money for you. Reach out to the dog bite lawyers serving the greater Chicago area today, and make sure your rights are fully protected. You can also speak with the team’s dog bite lawyer serving Oak Lawn and nearby communities throughout the south and southwest suburbs.
FAQs About Chicago Shih Tzu Dog Bite Lawyer
Can I file a claim if the Shih Tzu that bit me had never bitten anyone before?
Yes. Illinois does not use the “one-bite rule.” Under 510 ILCS 5/16, the owner is liable for your injuries even if the dog had a perfect history before the attack, though defenses such as provocation may apply. You do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. You only need to show the attack was unprovoked, you were somewhere you had a legal right to be, and the defendant qualifies as an owner under the statute.
What if the Shih Tzu that bit me belonged to a neighbor who was just watching it for someone else?
Illinois defines “owner” very broadly. Anyone who keeps, harbors, or acts as custodian of a dog can be held liable under The Illinois Animal Control Act. If your neighbor was dog-sitting and that Shih Tzu bit you, your neighbor may be liable even though they do not legally own the dog. An attorney can help identify all potentially responsible parties.
My child was bitten on the face by a Shih Tzu. Is that a stronger case than an adult bite?
Facial bites on children are among the most serious dog bite injuries. They often require stitches, plastic surgery, and can leave permanent scarring. They also carry a significant risk of psychological trauma. These factors, including future medical costs, disfigurement, and emotional harm, all increase the value of a claim. Illinois law allows full recovery for all of these damages.
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Chicago?
In Illinois, the general statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including dog bites, is two years from the date of the injury. However, you should not wait. Evidence like surveillance footage, animal control records, and witness recollections become harder to preserve as time passes. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after the attack to protect your claim.
What does it cost to hire Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for a Shih Tzu bite case?
Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handles dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. That means there are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless the firm recovers compensation for you. Your initial consultation is free. You can discuss the details of your case, understand your options, and make an informed decision without any financial obligation.
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