What If the Dog Owner Lies About the Incident?

Being attacked by a dog is traumatic enough. Then the owner tells you it was your fault, claims the dog has never bitten anyone, or insists the attack barely happened the way you described. Dog owners lie after bites, and it happens more than most people realize. If you were bitten in Chicago, whether near Millennium Park, in a Logan Square apartment building, or on a Wicker Park sidewalk, you need to understand what those lies mean for your case and how the law protects you. Working with an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer gives you the best shot at cutting through dishonesty and recovering the full compensation you deserve.

Table of Contents

• Why Dog Owners Lie After a Bite Incident
• The Illinois Animal Control Act Limits How Much a Lie Can Help an Owner
• How Evidence Exposes a Lying Dog Owner
• What Happens When an Owner Lies to Animal Control
• How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Fights Back Against Dishonest Dog Owners
• FAQs About What to Do When a Dog Owner Lies After a Bite in Chicago

Why Dog Owners Lie After a Bite Incident

The reasons are simple: money and fear. A dog bite claim can trigger a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, and owners know it. They also worry about their dog being classified as dangerous or even euthanized. So they minimize. They claim you provoked the animal. They say the bite was a scratch. They tell animal control the dog has a clean history when it does not. These are not just moral failures. In many cases, they are violations of Illinois law.

Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, specifically 510 ILCS 5/26, making any misrepresentation in regard to any matter prescribed by the Act is a criminal offense. A first offense is a Class C misdemeanor. A repeat offense rises to a Class B misdemeanor. Every single day the person continues to fail to comply counts as a separate offense under the statute. That means an owner who lies to animal control investigators, hides a prior bite history, or gives false information about the dog’s vaccination status is not just creating a civil liability problem. They are potentially committing a crime.

Common lies include claiming you provoked the dog, saying the dog has never shown aggression before, denying ownership of the animal, or insisting you were trespassing on private property. Each of these false claims is designed to destroy one of the three elements you need to prove under 510 ILCS 5/16: that the attack was unprovoked, that you were lawfully present, and that the person was the owner or keeper of the dog. Knowing what the lies target helps you and your attorney build the evidence to counter them.

The Illinois Animal Control Act Limits How Much a Lie Can Help an Owner

Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, specifically 510 ILCS 5/16, if a dog attacks or injures a person without provocation, and that person was lawfully present in the location where the attack occurred, the owner is liable for the full amount of the injury. There is no requirement to prove the owner was careless. There is no “one bite” rule in Illinois. However, there are important defenses available to dog owners, including provocation and assumption of risk.

This matters enormously when an owner lies about the dog’s history. Even if they successfully convince animal control that the dog never bit before, that lie does not eliminate their civil liability. The liability standard under 510 ILCS 5/16 applies whether the dog has bitten a hundred people or none. What the owner cannot escape by lying is the fact that the bite happened, that you were where you had a right to be, and that you did not provoke the attack.

The lies that do the most damage in a civil case are the ones targeting provocation. If an owner falsely claims you were taunting or threatening the dog, that goes directly to one of the main defenses available under Illinois law. Provocation is assessed using what Illinois courts call a “reasonable dog” standard, meaning courts look at whether a normal dog would have reacted aggressively given the circumstances. A skilled dog bite lawyer in Chicago knows how to challenge a false provocation claim with witness statements, surveillance footage, and medical evidence that tells the real story of what happened.

How Evidence Exposes a Lying Dog Owner

Lies fall apart when they run into hard evidence. Chicago is a city full of cameras. Security footage from businesses along North Michigan Avenue, Ring doorbells in Lincoln Park, and traffic cameras near busy intersections like Western and Milwaukee can all capture an attack. If an owner claims the bite never happened the way you described, video evidence can prove otherwise. If they claim you were trespassing, a timestamped photo of you standing on a public sidewalk destroys that story.

Animal control records are another powerful tool. Under 510 ILCS 5/13, when a dog bites someone, the incident must be reported, and the dog must be confined for observation for at least 10 days. The owner is required to present the animal to a licensed veterinarian within 24 hours of a documented bite. The veterinarian must submit a written report to the animal control administrator that includes the owner’s name, address, species, breed, and condition of the animal. These records create a paper trail. If an owner claims the dog has no prior bite history, prior animal control reports can prove them wrong.

Neighbors are often willing to talk. A dog that has lunged at people in Humboldt Park or chased joggers along the Lakefront Trail has probably been noticed. Veterinary records can reveal a history of behavioral issues. Prior complaints filed with Chicago Animal Care and Control at 2741 S. Western Avenue can surface through a records request. When a case involves prior complaints, that documented history can significantly strengthen your claim, because it shows the owner knew the animal posed a risk and did nothing to prevent the attack.

Witness testimony is equally valuable. People waiting for the CTA, walking through Grant Park, or sitting outside a restaurant on Randolph Street may have seen exactly what happened. Their accounts, gathered quickly before memories fade, can directly contradict an owner’s false version of events. A thorough investigation, started as early as possible after the bite, is the best way to lock in the truth before the owner has time to build a more convincing story.

What Happens When an Owner Lies to Animal Control

Animal control investigations in Chicago are handled through Chicago Animal Care and Control, and Cook County has its own animal control process for incidents outside city limits. When a bite is reported, investigators interview witnesses, examine the dog, and review any prior complaints or dangerous dog determinations. An owner who gives false information to these investigators is not just lying to a neighbor. They are obstructing an official process.

Under 510 ILCS 5/26, making a misrepresentation in connection with any matter covered by the Animal Control Act is a criminal offense. Obstructing or impeding an administrator or authorized officer enforcing the Act carries the same penalties. If an owner refuses to produce the dog for examination after a bite, that refusal is also a violation of the Act under 510 ILCS 5/17, which gives animal control administrators and law enforcement the authority to enter private premises (excluding residences) to apprehend a dangerous animal.

Beyond criminal penalties, an owner’s lies to animal control can backfire badly in civil court. If an owner is later found to have concealed a prior bite history or given false information during the investigation, that conduct can be used to show consciousness of guilt. Courts and juries take dishonesty seriously. An owner who lied to investigators will have a much harder time convincing a judge or jury that their version of the attack is credible. If the owner is ultimately found to be a reckless dog owner under 510 ILCS 5/15.5, a court can order the forfeiture of all dogs they own and prohibit them from owning a dog for up to 36 months for a first determination. These consequences give owners a strong incentive to lie, which is exactly why your attorney must move quickly to gather independent evidence before it disappears.

How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Fights Back Against Dishonest Dog Owners

When a dog owner lies, your case does not fall apart. The law gives your attorney powerful tools to uncover the truth. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we take dog bite cases seriously because we know how much is at stake. Injuries from dog attacks can include deep lacerations, nerve damage, infections, permanent scarring, and serious psychological trauma. You should not be left paying those costs because an owner decided to lie their way out of responsibility.

Our approach starts with a fast, thorough investigation. We gather surveillance footage before it is overwritten. We request animal control records and veterinary reports. We talk to witnesses while their memories are fresh. We work with experts when needed, including certified animal behaviorists whose testimony under 510 ILCS 5/15.1 can be relevant to determining whether a dog’s behavior was justified or whether the owner has a pattern of dangerous conduct. We also examine insurance coverage, because homeowner’s and renter’s policies often cover dog bite liability, and insurers have their own reasons to accept a false account if it helps them avoid a payout.

If you were bitten in Chicago, in suburban Cook County, or anywhere in the greater metro area, you have the right to pursue full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any permanent injuries. The Illinois Animal Control Act is on your side. A dishonest dog owner is not a dead end. They are a problem we know how to handle. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today for a free consultation. We handle dog bite cases throughout the Chicago area, and we do not collect a fee unless we recover compensation for you. If you need a dog bite lawyer in the suburbs or a dog bite attorney in communities like Berwyn, or even a dog bite lawyer serving downstate Illinois, our team is ready to help.

FAQs About What to Do When a Dog Owner Lies After a Bite in Chicago

Can a dog owner’s lie actually affect my injury claim in Illinois?

Yes, but not in the way the owner hopes. The Illinois Animal Control Act under 510 ILCS 5/16 establishes liability when a dog attacks or injures someone without provocation while that person was lawfully present, meaning you do not need to prove the owner was negligent or that the dog had a prior bite history. A lie about history does not erase the owner’s liability. However, a false provocation claim can complicate your case, which is why gathering independent evidence quickly is so important. Witness statements, video footage, and animal control records can expose the lie and protect your claim.

Is it illegal for a dog owner to lie to animal control in Illinois?

Yes. Under 510 ILCS 5/26, making a misrepresentation in connection with any matter covered by the Illinois Animal Control Act is a criminal offense. A first offense is a Class C misdemeanor, and a subsequent offense is a Class B misdemeanor. Every day the violation continues counts as a separate offense. Obstructing an animal control officer during an investigation carries the same penalties. These are not just civil problems for the owner. They are criminal violations under Illinois law.

What if the dog owner claims I provoked their dog when I did not?

Provocation is one of the main defenses available to dog owners under Illinois law, so false provocation claims are common. Illinois courts use a “reasonable dog” standard to evaluate provocation, asking whether a normal dog in the same situation would have reacted aggressively. If the owner’s claim is false, evidence like surveillance video, witness accounts, and your medical records can directly contradict their story. An attorney can also work with animal behavior experts to challenge the claim in court.

How do I prove the dog had a prior bite history if the owner denies it?

You can request records from Chicago Animal Care and Control or the Cook County Animal Control office. These agencies maintain records of reported bites, dangerous dog determinations, and prior complaints. Under 510 ILCS 5/13, bites must be reported and documented, creating a paper trail. Veterinary records, neighbor testimony, and prior police reports can also reveal a history the owner is trying to hide. An attorney can submit formal records requests and subpoena documents the owner will not voluntarily provide.

How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Chicago, Illinois?

In Illinois, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim, including a dog bite, is generally two years from the date of the injury. Missing that deadline typically means losing your right to compensation entirely. However, you should not wait two years to act. Evidence disappears, witnesses move, and surveillance footage gets overwritten within days or weeks. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after the attack so that evidence can be preserved and your case can be built while the facts are still fresh.

More Resources About Dog Bite Laws and Local Rules in Chicago

• What Happens After a Dog Bite in Chicago? (Step-by-Step Timeline)
• How Chicago Animal Control Handles Dog Bite Cases
• Chicago Dog Bite Reporting Requirements
• What to Expect from a Dog Bite Investigation
• Can a Dog Be Put Down After a Bite in Chicago?
• Chicago Leash Laws and Dog Bite Liability
• What Makes a Dog “Dangerous” Under Chicago Law?
• How Prior Complaints Affect Dog Bite Cases
• Can You Sue a Friend or Family Member for a Dog Bite?