What Are The Most Common Injuries For A Dog Bite?

Q: What if the dog was on a leash when it bit me?

A leash does not prevent a claim. Missouris strict liability law focuses on whether the dog bit you without provocation while you were lawfully present.

What Do Dog Bite Injury Levels Mean for a Missouri Claim?

Dog bite injury levels describe how severe a bite is, and in Missouri, a higher level usually means more medical treatment, more documentation, and a larger potential claim against the dog's owner.

The Dunbar scale ranks dog bites from Level 1 (no skin contact) to Level 6 (fatal).
Missouri holds dog owners strictly liable for unprovoked bites to people who are lawfully where they are.
Scarring, nerve damage, and emotional harm can all factor into compensation.

The scale describes the wound, but the full value of a claim depends on how the injury affects your life.

Doctors, animal behaviorists, and insurance companies often use the dog bite severity scale to describe the severity of a bite. If you or your child was bitten in Missouri, knowing where your injury falls on that scale can help you understand what comes next.

The scale, though, stops at the wound. It does not explain what a bite means for your medical care, your scars, or your right to compensation. This guide walks through each level and connects it to what matters for a Missouri dog bite claim.

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Key Takeaways about Dog Bites and Injury Claims

The Dunbar Dog Bite Scale sorts bites into six levels based on skin contact, puncture depth, and the number of bites.
Missouri law makes dog owners strictly liable for unprovoked bites to people on public property or lawfully on private property.
Damages owed by a dog owner may be reduced if the injured person shares fault for the incident.
Arm and hand injuries are common because people instinctively raise their arms to protect themselves.
Most Missouri personal injury claims, including dog bite claims, must be filed within five years.

What Is the Dunbar Dog Bite Severity Scale?

The Dunbar Dog Bite Scale is a six-level system that classifies dog bites by the extent of damage caused by the dog's teeth. Veterinarian and animal behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar developed it, and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers publishes the official version.

The scale looks at measurable details, such as whether the teeth broke the skin and how deep the punctures went compared to the length of the dog's canine teeth. That makes it more objective than a description given in the fear and confusion of an attack.

Insurance adjusters and medical providers may refer to the scale when they evaluate a bite. It is a useful starting point, but it is not a legal standard in Missouri.

The Six Dog Bite Levels and What Each Means for Your Claim

Each level describes a different kind of injury, and each raises different questions for a potential claim.

Level 1: Aggressive Behavior With No Skin Contact

At Level 1, the dog growls, snaps, or lunges, but its teeth never touch the skin. Missouri's strict liability law covers bites, so a Level 1 incident usually will not support that type of claim.

Injuries can still happen, though. If a dog knocks someone down and they break a wrist or hit their head, a claim based on the owner's carelessness may be possible.

Level 2: Skin Contact Without a Puncture

At Level 2, the dog's teeth touch the skin but do not puncture it. There may be bruising, small nicks less than one-tenth of an inch deep, or slight bleeding.

Level 2 injuries often heal without lasting damage. Still, photos of the bruising and a quick medical visit create a record if the injury turns out to be worse than it looked.

Level 3: One to Four Shallow Punctures

Level 3 involves one to four punctures from a single bite, with no puncture deeper than half the length of the dog's canine teeth. There may also be tearing in one direction if the person pulled away.

Punctures can become infected, so medical care matters here. At this level, medical bills, follow-up visits, and any scarring become part of the claim.

Level 4: At Least One Deep Puncture

At Level 4, at least one puncture from a single bite goes deeper than half the length of the canine teeth. There may be deep bruising from the dog holding on, or tearing in both directions if the dog shook its head.

These bites can damage muscle, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. Surgery, physical therapy, and permanent scarring are more likely, which can significantly increase the value of a claim.

Level 5: Multiple Deep Bites or Repeated Attacks

Level 5 is a multiple-bite incident with at least two Level 4 bites, or more than one attack with at least one Level 4 bite in each. These are sustained attacks, and they often cause severe injuries.

People who survive a Level 5 attack may need reconstructive surgery and long-term care. Emotional trauma, including fear of dogs or leaving the house, is also common and belongs in the claim.

Level 6: A Fatal Attack

Level 6 means the attack took the person's life. When this happens, Missouri law allows certain family members to bring a wrongful death claim.

No amount of money can make up for that loss. A claim can, however, hold the owner accountable and give the family resources for the future.

Common Injuries From Dog Bites

Common injuries from dog bites range from minor scrapes to life-changing injuries. Dog bite injuries and attacks often involve more than one type of harm at the same time:

Puncture wounds and lacerations that may need stitches or surgical repair
Infections from bacteria in the dog's mouth
Nerve and tendon damage, especially in the hands and forearms
Broken bones from the bite itself or from being knocked to the ground
Facial injuries, which are especially common when children are bitten
Scarring and disfigurement that may need revision surgery
Emotional trauma, such as anxiety, nightmares, or post-traumatic stress

A bite that looks minor on day one can become serious if infection sets in. That is one reason prompt medical care matters for both health and any future claim.

Why Are Arm and Hand Injuries So Common in Dog Attacks?

Dog attack arm injuries are common because people naturally raise their arms and hands to protect their face and neck. That instinct can prevent worse harm, but it puts the forearms and hands directly in the dog's path.

The hands and forearms contain many small nerves, tendons, and bones packed closely together. A deep bite can affect grip strength, fine motor skills, and the ability to work, especially for people who rely on their hands for their jobs.

These injuries may require hand surgery and months of therapy. When we evaluate an arm or hand injury, we look closely at how it affects a client's ability to earn a living and handle daily tasks.

How Medical Documentation Shapes a Dog Bite Claim

Medical records are the backbone of a dog bite claim because they connect the bite to your injuries and treatment. Understanding why the medical record matters can help you take the right steps early.

Along with medical records, these details can help support your claim:

Photos of the wound on the day of the bite and as it heals
The dog owner's name, address, and the dog's vaccination information
Names of anyone who saw the attack
Receipts for medical care, prescriptions, and travel to appointments
A daily note about pain, sleep, missed work, and activities you had to give up

That daily note captures what we call lifestyle impact. A scar on a child's face or a hand that no longer grips a tool the same way affects a person's life far beyond the medical bills.

How Does Missouri's Strict Liability Law Apply to Dog Bites?

Missouri holds dog owners strictly liable for bites in most situations, which means you generally do not have to prove the owner was careless. Under Section 273.036 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, an owner or possessor of a dog that bites someone without provocation is liable when the person bitten was on public property or lawfully on private property.

That includes guests on the owner's own property. It also applies regardless of whether the dog had ever bitten anyone before or whether the owner knew the dog could be dangerous.

A few conditions shape these claims:

Provocation: The law covers bites that happen without provocation, so an owner may argue the dog was teased or hit.
Lawful presence: The person bitten must have been on public property or lawfully on private property.
Shared fault: If the injured person shares fault, damages are reduced by that person's percentage of fault.

That reduction follows the same principle as Missouri's pure comparative fault rule, described in Section 537.765. Beyond liability for bites, Missouri and local ordinances also set out the owner's legal obligations, such as licensing and leash rules, which can come up in a claim.

Scarring, Disfigurement, and Other Damages in a Missouri Dog Bite Claim

Compensation in a Missouri dog bite claim may cover both financial losses and the personal impact of the injury. Depending on the facts, this can include medical expenses, future treatment such as scar revision surgery, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

Scarring and disfigurement can carry significant weight, especially on the face, hands, or other visible areas. For children, a scar may affect how they feel about themselves for years, and a claim can account for that long-term impact.

Most dog bite claims in Missouri must be filed within five years under Section 516.120. Waiting too long can mean losing evidence and the right to recover.

Who Pays for a Dog Bite Claim in Missouri?

In many cases, a dog owner's homeowners or renters insurance pays for a dog bite claim. These policies often include liability coverage for injuries caused by pets.

Some policies limit or exclude coverage for certain dogs, and some owners have no insurance at all. We review every possible source of coverage before deciding how to pursue a claim.

FAQs about the Dog Bite Severity Scale

Here are answers to a few more questions people ask about dog bite levels and Missouri claims.

Who decides what level a dog bite is?

There is no official agency that assigns a level. Doctors, animal control officers, and insurers may each describe the bite, and medical records and photos usually give the clearest picture.

Should I report a dog bite in St. Louis?

Reporting a bite creates an official record and helps confirm the dog's rabies vaccination status. In St. Louis City and St. Louis County, local animal control agencies handle bite reports.

Can I file a claim if a friend's or relative's dog bit me?

Yes, you can. Many people hesitate because they know the owner, but the claim is usually paid by the owner's homeowners or renters insurance rather than from their own pocket.

What if the dog was on a leash when it bit me?

A leash does not prevent a claim. Missouri's strict liability law focuses on whether the dog bit you without provocation while you were lawfully present.

Can a parent file a claim for a child's dog bite?

Yes. A parent or guardian can pursue a claim on behalf of a child, and Missouri courts typically must approve dog bite settlements for minors.

Talk to Powell Law Firm About Your Dog Bite Injury

A dog bite can leave physical and emotional scars that last long after the wound closes. Missouri holds dog owners strictly liable in most bite cases, and Powell Law Firm can help you understand what that means for you.

We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, and we treat every client with the same care, regardless of the size of the case. Call (314) 293-3777 any time, day or night, or request a free consultation. There are no fees until we win.