When Summer Fun Goes to the Dogs: The Hidden Liability Risk Every Owner Should Know

The pitter patter of a four-legged friend running to the door to greet you when you come home, the joy of grabbing a puppaccino for Fido, or the belly laughs that ensue when your pup uses a pillow like a human are just tiny slices of the experience of becoming a pet guardian.

Summer may be one of the best seasons to enjoy life with a dog, from longer walks and trips to the dog park to community pool “swim days” for furry friends. It is often a time when many families decide to adopt or add a dog to the household.

That makes International Dog Day on August 28 a fitting moment to celebrate the joy dogs bring to our lives and to pause to reflect on the responsibilities that come with it. Even the best-trained dog could react unexpectedly to loud noises, stress or unfamiliar situations, and that one moment of reaction is why it’s well worth considering dog-related liability risks.

For high-net-worth families, the exposure could be greater than it appears. Larger homes, more frequent entertaining, household staff, and higher visibility may create more opportunities for an incident and higher potential costs if one occurs.

Dog-Gone-It Summer Scenarios

You could be found legally liable for the behavior of your dog in a variety of ordinary circumstances—from a guest at your home leaning in to greet your dog, to a package being delivered on your porch, to a dog knocking over a small child.

These “dog-gone-it” moments may be more likely in summer simply because there’s more activity: more visitors, more events, and more unplanned interactions.

And sadly, these types of scenarios are becoming more common. Let’s take a look at some recent statistics.

Arrf-Ful Statistics

Recent data underscores just how costly dog-related incidents are, and how they are on the rise. Consider the following:

• U.S. insurers paid $1.57 billion in dog-related injury claims in 2024, across 22,658 claims, with an average cost per claim of $69,272.
• In 2025, dog-related injury claim payouts increased to $1.86 billion, across 28,450 claims, with an average cost per claim of $65,450.
• Dog bites are a public health issue. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) notes that more than 4.5 million bites are reported each year in the United States.
• The average cost per claim increased 18% from 2023 to 2024, and over the last decade, it rose by 86%.
• Children are the most likely to be bitten.

While it may be hard to imagine your sweet pooch biting, attacking, or reacting in a negative way, the risk of not being covered is high—but avoidable.  As we head into summer, it’s worth taking time to think about how you’d be able to absorb and handle a dog-related incident to ensure it doesn’t turn into a significant financial loss or legal headache.
 

The Legal Landscape is No “Walk in the Park”

Nearly half of all households in the U.S. have a dog, but many may not be aware of the liability risk associated with the responsibilities of ownership. And it’s easy to see why, as it may vary based on where you live.

Dog-bite statutes (often strict liability): Owners may be automatically liable for injury or property damage caused by the dog, with limited exceptions (such as provocation or trespassing).

The “one-bite rule”: Liability depends on whether the owner knew, or should have known, the dog was likely to cause that type of injury.

Negligence Laws: Liability could arise if the owner doesn’t take reasonable steps to control or secure the dog.

Because laws differ by jurisdiction, two incidents that look similar on the surface may have very different outcomes depending on where you live and what happened.

Consider Umbrella Liability Coverage

For many households, an umbrella policy provides an extra layer of liability protection above homeowners or renters coverage. It may help address costs associated with covered claims involving injuries or property damage, including certain dog-related incidents. It also helps protect your wealth and legacy if an incident occurs.

It is also important to know how your underlying homeowners or renters policy treats dogs. Some homeowners and renters policies exclude certain dog breeds like pit bulls or rottweilers. If your policy includes a breed exclusion, it may provide no coverage for an incident involving an excluded dog breed. Reviewing your coverage before a claim happens helps ensure you aren’t surprised in the event you need to make a claim.

And dogs aren’t the only potential source of “pet liability.” Any animal could pose a risk if it injures someone or damages property, even exotic pets like Ed the Zebra.

If you’d like, reach out and schedule a risk review to understand how your current policies may respond to a dog-related incident, where gaps may appear, and what options you have to reduce exposure before summer gatherings get into full swing. Protect your summer fun with your furry best friend and maintain your peace of mind.