Bitten or attacked
by a dog?
You do not have to stand alone.

Kentucky is one of the strictest states in the country when it comes to dog owners. Under Kentucky’s dog bite statute, an owner is responsible for the damage their dog causes — you generally do not have to prove the dog had bitten someone before, or that the owner knew it was dangerous.

20+Years fighting for victims
$0Upfront cost to you
FreeConfidential consultation
  • You may be entitled to compensation for:
  • Emergency care, wound treatment, and infection follow-up
  • Reconstructive and plastic surgery, including future scar revision
  • Permanent scarring, disfigurement, and nerve damage
  • Emotional trauma, anxiety, and PTSD — especially in children
  • Lost income and time away from work caring for an injured child
  • Wrongful death claims for families who have lost a loved one
Memberships & recognition
American Association for Justice Kentucky Bar Association American Bar Association Kentucky Justice Association

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Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
By submitting, you agree to be contacted by Satterley & Kelley PLLC. No attorney–client relationship is formed until a signed agreement is in place.

Our firm

Why Satterley & Kelley PLLC?

For more than 20 years, our trial lawyers have gone up against large corporations and their insurers on behalf of seriously injured Kentuckians — including children and families harmed by dangerous animals.

The Satterley & Kelley trial team — Louisville, Kentucky

The trial team — Louisville, Kentucky

  • We take on the insurance companies

    Most dog bite claims are paid by a homeowner’s or renter’s insurer — and those insurers fight hard to minimize scarring and trauma claims. We prepare every case as if it is going to trial.

  • Millions recovered for injured Kentuckians

    Verdicts and settlements won for people seriously injured by the negligence of others, and for families who lost a loved one.

  • No fee unless we win

    You pay nothing upfront. We advance all costs and collect a fee only if we recover for you.

What we investigate

What decides a dog bite claim

Most dog attacks are not a mystery — a gate was left open, a leash ordinance was ignored, or a dog with a history was left where it could reach a child. The work is proving who is legally responsible and finding the insurance that pays for it.

Who legally owned the dog

Kentucky defines a dog’s “owner” broadly — it can include someone who was keeping, harboring, or caring for the animal, not only the person whose name is on the license. More than one person may be responsible.

Where the insurance is

Homeowner’s and renter’s policies commonly cover dog bites, and some cover a dog that bit away from home. We identify every available policy, including exclusions the insurer may try to raise.

The dog’s history

Animal control complaints, prior bite reports, citations, and neighbors’ accounts of earlier incidents. A documented history strengthens a claim and can support additional damages.

Leash laws and containment

Louisville Metro and most Kentucky counties have leash, confinement, and dangerous-dog ordinances. A violation at the time of the attack is direct evidence that the dog was not being handled safely.

Cases we handle

Dog attack claims we take on

If you or your child was bitten or injured by a dog anywhere in Kentucky, we can review your case at no cost — including cases where the owner is a neighbor, a friend, or a family member and the claim will be paid by insurance.

Children bitten by dogs

Children are bitten most often on the face, head, and neck. These cases need careful handling now and an eye on surgery they may still need years from now.

Facial injuries & permanent scarring

Lacerations, avulsions, and disfigurement that require plastic surgery and, in many cases, revision procedures over time.

Severe and multiple-bite attacks

Crush injuries, muscle and nerve damage, degloving, and wounds requiring hospitalization or reconstruction.

Infection and rabies exposure

Serious wound infections, and the cost and ordeal of post-exposure treatment when a dog’s vaccination status cannot be confirmed.

Loose and off-leash dogs

Attacks by dogs running at large, escaping an unsecured yard, or handled without a leash in violation of local ordinance.

Delivery and service workers

Postal carriers, package couriers, meter readers, utility and repair workers bitten while lawfully doing their job on someone’s property.

Attacks at rental properties

Cases involving tenants’ dogs, where a landlord may in limited circumstances share responsibility under Kentucky law.

Fatal attacks

Wrongful death claims for families who lost a loved one — most often a young child or an older adult.

What to do now

Three steps to protect your rights

Bite wounds heal and scar, memories fade, and dogs get moved or surrendered. What you do in the first days matters.

01

Get medical care and report the bite

Even a puncture wound that looks minor can drive a serious infection, so get treated and follow up. Report the bite to animal control or your local health department — that report starts the rabies observation process and creates an official record. Photograph the wounds before and during healing, and again after they scar.

02

Identify the owner — and be careful with the insurer

Get the owner’s name, address, and the dog’s rabies vaccination records, plus the names of anyone who saw it happen. When the homeowner’s insurer calls, you are not required to give a recorded statement. Early offers are often made before anyone knows what the scarring will look like or what surgery will cost.

03

Call Satterley & Kelley

Animal control files, prior complaints, veterinary records, and doorbell or security footage can disappear quickly, and the dog itself may be rehomed or euthanized. We move to preserve that evidence — and we will review a settlement offer you have already received, at no cost.

Why choose us

The Satterley & Kelley difference

For more than 20 years, our trial lawyers have represented injured people in Kentucky and across the nation — taking on Fortune 500 corporations, negligent property owners, and the insurers who defend them.

We find the coverage

Dog bite claims are usually paid by a homeowner’s or renter’s policy, not out of the owner’s pocket. We identify every applicable policy and push back on the exclusions insurers raise to deny these claims.

Scarring cases need patience

A scar is not finished healing when the insurer wants to close the file, and a child may need revision surgery for years. We work with treating and reconstructive physicians so the claim reflects the whole future, not just today’s bills.

Handled with discretion

The dog often belongs to a neighbor, a friend, or a relative. We understand that, and we handle these claims in a way that keeps the focus on the insurance policy that exists to cover exactly this.

No fee unless we win

You pay nothing upfront. We advance all case costs and only collect a fee when we recover compensation for you. There is zero financial risk in calling us today.

Kentucky law — what you need to know

Kentucky holds owners strictly liable

Under Kentucky’s dog bite statute, an owner is responsible for the damage their dog causes. Kentucky does not follow the “one free bite” rule — you generally do not have to show the dog had a history of aggression.

More than the owner may be liable

Kentucky’s definition of “owner” can reach a person keeping, harboring, or caring for the dog, and in limited circumstances a landlord who allowed the dog on the property. Identifying everyone responsible often means finding more available insurance.

Filing deadlines are short

Kentucky sets strict time limits on injury and wrongful death claims, and they run out faster than most people expect — though the rules differ when the person bitten is a child. Call early so the deadline that applies to your case can be confirmed.

Client testimonials

What our clients say

★★★★★
“The team at Satterley & Kelley did an amazing job representing my family on behalf of our father … The team fought hard and they fought fair, all while preserving our father’s memory. Beyond happy with what they were able to achieve for our family.”

— Todd Boyd

★★★★★
“He was always very professional, compassionate and informative while navigating this situation through its completion … He made me feel my situation and loss were important to him and patiently answered any questions that I had.”

— Kay Davis

★★★★★
“The professionalism and knowledge we witnessed from the Satterley and Kelley Firm is second to none. Wonderful, kind caring individuals. We are forever grateful for their assistance.”

— Vickie Cook

Case results

Millionsrecovered

In verdicts and settlements for injured Kentuckians and their families across a wide range of serious personal injury and wrongful death claims.

See our verdicts & settlements →

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different, and testimonials reflect the experience of individual clients.

Super Lawyers® 2025 American Association for Justice Kentucky Bar Association Kentucky Justice Association American Bar Association

Bitten or attacked by a dog?
Call us. Consultations are free.

We will honestly evaluate your claim, explain the strength of your case, and outline every legal option available to you — at absolutely no cost or obligation.

Call 855-385-9532 Contact Us Online

Available 24/7  ·  Free confidential consultation  ·  No fee unless we win