Dog-on-dog attacks are one of the more common calls I get, and they generate a lot of confusion about who is responsible and what happens next. Maine law addresses attacks on other animals, not just people. Here is what the statute says, what you can do as the owner of an injured dog, and what I can and cannot do as the responding officer.
To report a dog attack in Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner, West Paris, Stoneham, or the Oxford County Unorganized Territories, call Oxford County Dispatch at 207-743-9554, Option 0.
What Maine Law Says
Under Maine Title 7, Section 3962-A, an animal owner whose animal kills or injures livestock, poultry, domestic rabbits, or pets through the owner’s negligence commits a civil violation. The victim may also pursue a civil action under Section 3961 for damages. Together, these statutes establish the framework for recovery when a dog attacks another animal.
There is an important exception. Under §3962-A, the owner or keeper is not liable if they can establish that the animal that was killed or injured provoked the attack, or that the attacking animal was leashed or otherwise controlled on the owner’s own property at the time of the attack. If either of those conditions applies, liability does not attach under §3962-A or §3961.
What to Do Right After an Attack
- Get your dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Bite wounds are deceptive. What looks minor on the surface can involve punctures, tissue damage, or infection that is not visible without an exam.
- Document everything before you leave the scene if you can. Photos of your dog’s injuries, photos of the attacking dog, and the location all matter.
- Get the other owner’s name and contact information. If they refuse to provide it, note a physical description and any identifying information about the dog.
- Call dispatch and report the incident. This creates an official record, which is important if you pursue damages or if the attacking dog has prior incidents on file.
How to Pursue Damages
Your path to recovering veterinary costs runs through civil court, not through my office. I can document the incident and the other dog’s history, and that documentation can support your case. But I cannot order another owner to pay your vet bill. That requires a civil claim.
Keep all your veterinary records and receipts. If your dog dies as a result of the attack, the value of the animal may also be recoverable. Maine courts handle these as civil matters.
Small claims court is often the practical option for vet bills under $6,000. For larger amounts or serious injuries, you may want to consult an attorney.
What I Can Do
When I respond to a dog attack, I investigate the incident and document my findings. I check whether the attacking dog has prior complaints on file. If the dog meets the threshold for a dangerous dog complaint under Maine’s Dangerous Dog law (7 § 3952-A), I can initiate that process. A dangerous dog complaint is filed in court, and if the court agrees, it can result in confinement requirements, muzzling orders, or in serious cases, euthanasia.
I can also issue a civil violation summons for dogs at large if the attacking dog was off its owner’s property without control at the time of the attack. That is a separate charge from the dangerous dog process and carries its own fines.
What I Cannot Do
I cannot make another owner pay your vet bill on the spot. I cannot seize a dog solely because it attacked another dog unless there is an immediate ongoing threat to public safety or a court order authorizing seizure. I cannot guarantee a specific outcome from the dangerous dog process since that is decided by a judge, not by me.
What I can do is build a documented record. That record matters more than most people realize, both for your civil claim and for any future enforcement action if the attacking dog has additional incidents.
When the Attack Happens On Your Property
If another person’s dog enters your property and attacks your dog, the situation is the same from a liability standpoint. The attacking dog’s owner is responsible for your damages, subject to the provocation and control exceptions noted above.
Maine law also allows a person to use reasonable force to stop a dog that is attacking a person or another animal during a sudden unprovoked assault under §3961. That does not mean lethal force is always justified, and the facts of each situation matter. If you had to intervene physically to stop an attack, document that and report it through dispatch.
Related Posts
For information on owner liability when a dog bites a person, see Maine Dog Bite Law (7 § 3961). For the dangerous dog process, see Dangerous Dogs (7 § 3952-A). For the at-large law, see Dogs at Large (7 § 3911).
For more on Maine animal laws, see the Animal Control FAQ.
