Under Wis. Stat. 174.02, a Wisconsin dog owner is liable for the full amount of damages the dog causes, with no proof of negligence or prior history and no bite required. After notice of a prior unprovoked scarring bite, the owner owes double damages. Your own fault reduces the award.
Enter your estimated damages and a few quick facts about the incident.
Wisconsin's dog statute, Wis. Stat. 174.02, makes the owner liable for the full amount of damages a dog causes, and for twice the damages in the narrow circumstances of a repeat bite. A State Bar of Wisconsin article explains that no bite is required.
The Court of Appeals addressed double damages for a pack of dogs in Schroeder v. Kistner (2014), and the deadline is three years.
A local personal injury attorney can review your claim — many offer a free consultation.
This is an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Figures are based on the cited Wisconsin statutes. Confirm how these rules apply to your specific case with a licensed Wisconsin attorney.