No Strict Liability for Medical Expenses from Dog Bites (PA)

In Pennsylvania, 3 P.S. § 459-502(b)(1) of “Dog Law” provides the following for bite victims: “Any cost to the victim for medical treatment resulting from an attacking or biting dog must be paid fully by the owner or keepers of the dog. The Commonwealth shall not be liable for medical treatment costs to the victim.” The question becomes whether the statute imposes strict liability on dog owners for medical expenses resulting from dog bites.

In Warner v. Campbell, the plaintiff filed suit in the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County after he was bitten by the defendants’ dog. The defendants filed preliminary objections to count III of the amended complaint which sought a claim for medical expenses resulting from the dog bite based on the Pennsylvania statute—that according to the plaintiff—imposed strict liability for those expenses.

The court relied on Rosenberry v. Evans and statutory interpretation in making its decision. The court reasoned that while the statute appears to provide a claim for strict liability on its face, the court in Rosenberry found that proof of the owner’s negligence is required to succeed in a cause of action against dog owners for injuries sustained by their dogs. In other words, Pennsylvania does not impose absolute or strict liability upon dog owners for dog bites.

The court also reasoned that the statute is worded to make clear that while the Commonwealth will pay detention costs when the dog’s owner is unknown, the Commonwealth is not responsible for medical expenses to the victim. Additionally, sections 531 and 532 of the statute provide a private causes of action to owners of sheep for damages resulting from dogs “chasing or worrying sheep.” The court held that since the legislature did not provide a similar cause of action for victims of dog bites, the legislature did not intend to do so. As a result, the court sustained the defendants’ preliminary objections and dismissed count III of the amended complaint based on strict liability.

Thanks to Eric Clendening for his contribution for this post.  If you have any questions, please email Paul at