Dog Bite Laws & Reporting in Illinois (Including Chicago)

Illinois has some of the strongest dog bite laws in the country.

Under the Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5), the state follows a strict liability rule: if a dog bites you, the owner is usually responsible. You don’t need to prove the dog bit someone before or that the owner acted negligently.

Doctors are required to report bites to public health, and victims should report to local animal control. Time matters—if you wait too long, the statute of limitations could bar your claim.

Protect yourself now: seek medical care, report the bite, document your injuries, and talk with a lawyer about your legal rights.

Who pays medical bills → Medical Bills, Insurance & Settlements
Filing a dog bite lawsuit → Dog Bite Lawsuit Deadlines & Strategy

Illinois Dog Bite Law

Illinois is a strict liability state. That means if a dog attacks, the dog owner is responsible for your injuries if:

You were lawfully on the property (public space or private property with permission).
You did not provoke the animal.

There’s no “one-bite rule” in Illinois. In some states, owners are off the hook until the dog shows a history of aggressive behavior. Not here. In Illinois, the very first bite is enough for a dog bite claim.

This protects the dog bite victim, who may face steep medical expenses, lost wages, and lasting problems like scarring or disfigurement. It also discourages owners from ignoring dangerous dogs that show aggressive behavior.

When Owners Are Liable

A neighbor’s dog attacks while you walk down the street.
A delivery driver gets bitten while dropping a package on the owner’s property.
A child bitten at a friend’s house, even if the dog was usually “friendly.”

When Owners Might Defend

Trespassing: entering property without permission.
Provocation: hitting, teasing, or threatening the animal.

These defenses are often stretched by an insurance company to avoid paying. That’s why evidence is critical. Photos, witness statements, prior complaints to animal control, and medical treatment records all help prove your side of the story.

If you suffered serious injuries like lacerations, broken bones, or permanent scarring, Illinois law is clear. You can pursue civil damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even emotional distress.

Chicago & Local Ordinances

Illinois law applies statewide, but cities like Chicago add their own rules.

Key Local Rules in Chicago

Leash laws: dogs must be leashed in public.
Muzzling: required for dogs declared vicious.
Registration and microchip: mandatory for dangerous breeds or repeat offenders.
Fines: owners face escalating penalties for repeated violations.

Local animal control contact in Chicago: Chicago Animal Care & Control (CACC) handles follow-up investigations for animal bites that occur within city limits. If a bite happens, the first step is to file a report by calling 311 Non-Emergency or visiting your local police district. The information from that report is then shared with both Cook County Animal & Rabies Control and CACC.

Not in Chicago? Your city or county may have its own code. Local animal control offices can provide contact information and reporting steps.

Mandatory Reporting: Do Doctors Have to Report?

Yes. In Illinois, medical providers are required to report animal bites. When you receive medical treatment for a bite, your doctor or ER staff will file a report with local animal control. This protects public safety by creating a record of the bite and triggering vaccination checks on the animal.

Reports include:

Victim’s name and contact information.
Dog owner’s details if known.
Circumstances of the dog bite incident.

This step may feel stressful, but it’s important. It allows authorities to check vaccination status, track dangerous dogs, and prevent future animal attacks.

Victim Reporting Steps

Victims should file their own report so there’s an official record for both public safety and any future dog bite claim.

Here’s how:

Get immediate medical attention. Even small bites can lead to infection. Ask the doctor for a copy of the official bite report.
Report to animal control or police. This step creates a legal record under Illinois dog bite laws. Without it, proving your case may be harder later.
Photograph the incident. Capture physical injuries, torn clothing, and the location. If it’s safe, get a photo of the dog.
Collect key information. Secure the dog owner’s name, address, and proof of vaccination. Get witness names and contact information too.
Save paperwork tied to the incident. Hold onto medical bills, the commercial invoice for treatment, and any letters from the insurance company.

Related reading: What Happens After Reporting a Dog Bite

What to Do After a Dog Bite (Checklist + Next Steps)

Beyond the paperwork, victims need to focus on recovery and prevention. Here’s a broader checklist:

Get urgent medical care. Ask about rabies vaccination and tetanus shots if needed. Dog bite injuries can turn serious fast.
Confirm reports are on file. Doctors, police, and local animal control should all have records. Double check that your bite is logged.
Document every cost. Keep receipts, bills, and records of lost wages. These will matter if you claim civil damages for pain and suffering.
Check the dog’s history. Ask animal control if the dog has prior attacks, is microchipped, or has been labeled a dangerous dog.
Follow up on recovery. Track medical treatment, disfigurement, or emotional distress symptoms. Personal injury attorneys often use this documentation to strengthen dog bite cases.

Evidence You’ll Need Later

Your dog bite claim depends on proof.

Here’s what is helpful to gather:

Photos of wounds and physical injuries.
Medical records and medical expenses.
Proof of lost wages from your employer.
Witness statements and contact information.
Prior complaints to local animal control.
Surveillance video or doorbell footage showing the dog bite incident.

A strong record helps your personal injury lawyer push back against defenses and negotiate with the insurance company.

Dog Bite in Illinois FAQ

Is Illinois a one-bite state?

No. Illinois is a strict liability state under the Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5). That means a dog owner is responsible for injuries from the very first dog bite incident, even if the dog never showed aggressive behavior before. Unlike states that follow the “one-bite rule,” victims in Illinois do not have to prove that the dog was already known to be dangerous. If you were bitten, you likely have a valid dog bite claim, and the owner cannot argue they “didn’t know” the dog would attack.

What if the dog was leashed?

Leashing a dog does not erase responsibility. If a leashed dog lunges, pulls away, or bites, the dog owner is still liable for the harm. The law focuses on the injury to the dog bite victim, not on whether the owner had the animal on a leash. Even if the dog was under some control, victims can still recover damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages that come from the attack.

What if I was on private property?

Illinois law protects victims who are lawfully present on someone else’s land. If you had permission to be there—delivering packages, visiting a friend, or working a job—you are covered. The same protection applies if the attack happened on the owner’s property but you were there with a legitimate purpose. The only time protection may not apply is if someone trespassed or was engaged in illegal activity at the time of the dog bite incident.

What if my child was bitten?

Children are especially vulnerable in dog bite cases, and the courts recognize this. A child is less able to understand the risks of approaching an animal, and Illinois courts often view their actions differently than an adult’s. If your child suffered dog bite injuries, the law may allow stronger claims for emotional distress, disfigurement, and medical expenses. In severe cases, such as serious injuries to the face or permanent scarring, compensation may extend well beyond immediate medical treatment.

What if the owner says I provoked the dog?

Under the Illinois dog bite laws, owners can defend themselves by claiming provocation. But they must prove it. Simply walking near the dog, petting it, or making minor contact is often not enough to count as provocation. Courts look closely at what happened. If the dog owner argues that you provoked the animal, an experienced dog bite lawyer can help gather evidence—like witness statements or local animal control reports—to show that your actions did not justify the attack.

Do I need to report a dog bite to police or animal control?

Yes. Reporting is critical for both public safety and your case. Doctors in Illinois are required to report animal bites, but victims should also create their own record. File a report with law enforcement or local animal control. This not only helps track dangerous dogs and prevent future dog attacks, but it also strengthens your personal injury claim if you pursue compensation. A clear paper trail makes it harder for an insurance company or law firm defending the owner to dispute what happened.

Talk to a Chicago Dog Bite Lawyer

If you’ve experienced a dog bite in Illinois, you don’t have to face this alone. An experienced dog bite attorney can explain your options, gather evidence, and file your claim while you focus on healing. Palermo Law Group offers a free consultation to review your case, answer questions, and discuss the best path forward.

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