A person who is injured by dog bites while in a public place or while legally on someone else's property can sue for the injuries suffered.

In New Jersey, the owner of a dog can be held strictly liable for the injuries suffered by anyone bitten. Strict liability means that a court will not accept any defense in a dog bite case when there is proof that:

• The person being sued is the actual owner of the dog causing the injury;
  
• The dog did in fact bite, scratch or otherwise hurt the person who is suing;
  
• The dog bite happened in a public place or in a private place, such as someone’s home or yard, where the plaintiff was legally allowed to be, i.e., not trespassing; and
  
• The person who is suing did not provoke the dog into biting.