Good question, and I am sorry to hear what happened to you and your girlfriend. Ouch! Years ago, from a legal point of view, it was viewed that a dog would have no consequences for his first bite. In other words, if there was no warning that the dog had a history of biting, and no one was held responsible. However, times have changed.
The strength of your case depends if the dog had a history of biting others. The fact that the dog's owner did nothing, helps your case as well. And, since your girlfriend was also injured and she was in the "zone of danger," both of you can sue for emotional distress. It comes down to the extent of your injuries and the emotional distress this has caused you and your girlfiend.
You have nothing to lose in seeking the counsel of a local attorney to help you evaluate your case.
Answered on Mar 01st, 2021 at 6:08 PM