Why Do Some Dog Owners Behave Strangely After a Dog Bite Incident? The Psychology Behind Evasion and Victim Blaming

John J. Malm & Associates Personal Injury Lawyers

When someone is injured in a car accident, the process of resolving the claim is typically straightforward. Defendants exchange insurance information, cooperate with investigators, and often express concern or regret. But when a dog bite occurs, dog owners can behave in ways that seem strange—denying responsibility, avoiding accountability, or refusing to cooperate. For victims, this behavior can be both baffling and deeply frustrating.

At its core, all that’s typically needed from the dog owner is simple: acknowledgment of the incident and cooperation in identifying their insurance company. At John J. Malm & Associates, we do not aim to sue the dog owner unless it is absolutely necessary. Instead, we strive for amicable resolutions through negotiated settlements with the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance company in order fairly compensate the injured party. Unfortunately, dog owners often make this straightforward process unnecessarily protracted and contentious.

The Patterns We’ve Seen Over Decades Representing Dog Attack Victims

For decades, our Illinois injury law firm has witnessed almost every imaginable response to a dog bite incident or litigation. Initially, dog owners often express supportive and contrite sentiments, such as apologizing profusely and offering to cover medical bills. These early conversations can give victims hope that resolution will come quickly and amicably.

However, as the days pass, the tone often shifts. Text messages become defensive, with statements like, “I’m not sure my dog did anything wrong,” replacing earlier apologies. Then, communication starts to dwindle. Phone calls are ignored, and even friends, neighbors, and family members stop returning messages. The dog owner’s behavior changes from supportive to evasive, deflecting blame and avoiding the issue altogether.

For victims, this retreat can be emotionally painful, compounding the insult of abandonment with the physical wounds that are still healing. It is often at this point that we receive the call from a frustrated and hurt client who doesn’t know how to proceed. They share their disappointment and confusion: “They were so apologetic at first, and now I can’t get them to respond to me at all.” This retreat, deflection, and evasion is unfortunately all too common, and it highlights the psychological toll that dog bite incidents take—not just on victims, but on dog owners themselves.

Examples of Dog Owners Acting Strangely After Their Dog Has Attacked

  1. Denial and Aggression: In one case, a dog owner initially denied even owning a dog after his pet attacked our client in a public park, despite clear evidence. He then hired multiple lawyers—one to threaten sanctions and another to later admit the dog was present but still deny responsibility, refusing to provide insurance information.
  2. Evasion of Service: In another case, a dog owner actively avoided being served legal papers after a serious attack. He even hired an attorney to argue we had served the wrong person, despite clear evidence. This deliberate delay wasted time and prolonged the victim’s suffering.
  3. Shifting Blame: A child was attacked by a dog, yet the owner argued the child had provoked the incident by “running too fast” or “being too loud.” Despite evidence of the dog’s unprovoked aggression, the owner prioritized deflecting blame rather than working toward a fair resolution.

What do these cases have in common? Rather than simply cooperating to identify insurance coverage, the dog owners’ actions made the process more contentious than it needed to be. This not only prolonged the resolution but also created unnecessary emotional stress for everyone involved.

The Emotional Bond: Why Dogs Are More Than Just Pets

For many owners, dogs are family. The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that 85% of dog owners consider their pets to be part of their family, reflecting the deep emotional support and even a sense of identity dogs provide. Interactions with dogs release oxytocin—the “bonding hormone”—strengthening this connection and making dogs indispensable to their owners’ emotional well-being.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, this bond deepened. Pet adoptions surged as millions of people turned to dogs for companionship during isolation. The ASPCA reported that nearly 23 million U.S. households adopted a pet during the pandemic, with many owners citing their pets as critical sources of emotional comfort in an uncertain world. Additionally, a study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that over 70% of pet owners reported feeling closer to their animals during the pandemic, highlighting the increasing role of pets in reducing stress and loneliness.

Studies show owners often anthropomorphize their dogs, seeing them as full-fledged family members. This integration makes it difficult for owners to accept that their beloved pet could harm someone. When a dog bites, owners frequently experience cognitive dissonance, struggling to reconcile their dog’s perceived gentleness with the reality of the attack. To ease this conflict, they may deny, downplay, or shift blame, complicating the claims process.

Research published in Frontiers in Psychology suggests this distress can lead to defensiveness, withdrawal, or avoidance, as owners fear legal liability or public judgment. For victims, these reactions add emotional frustration to an already difficult situation, underscoring the need for legal guidance and clear communication to ensure a fair resolution.

Shame and Social Stigma of An Aggressive Dog

Beyond emotional attachment, dog owners often fear the shame and stigma associated with owning a dog that bites. Society tends to judge aggressive dogs—and their owners—harshly, assuming negligence or irresponsibility. For someone who views their dog as a cherished family member, this judgment can feel deeply personal.

A study published in Anthrozoös: A Multidisciplinary Journal of the Interactions of People and Animals found that dog owners often experience guilt and shame after a bite incident, even when the circumstances were beyond their control. To protect their reputation and bond with their pet, many deny responsibility or shift blame. The American Kennel Club (AKC) reports that 75% of dog owners would go to great lengths to shield their pet from public scrutiny, leading to avoidance behaviors or outright denial

This emotional conflict causes owners to prioritize protection over resolution, making cooperation difficult. Victims and legal professionals must recognize these psychological barriers and approach cases with clear communication and empathy to diffuse defensiveness and facilitate fair outcomes.

Dog bites can result in significant financial and legal consequences, which also drive strange behavior from owners. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 4.5 million dog bites in the U.S. annually, with over 800,000 requiring medical attention. Hospital stays for dog bite injuries average $18,200—nearly 50% higher than other injury-related stays.

Additionally, dog bite liability claims accounted for over $800 million in payouts in 2022, with the average claim costing $64,555. Faced with the prospect of higher insurance premiums or personal liability for damages, some owners panic and act evasively, even when a cooperative resolution would likely minimize costs and stress for all parties.

What Dog Owners Should Do When They Receive a Letter from an Attorney?

Receiving a letter from an attorney representing a dog bite victim can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to stay calm and not panic. The goal is simply to establish communication, identify your insurance company, and work toward a fair resolution.

Here are three practical steps to take if you find yourself in this situation:

  1. Don’t Panic or Evade: In most jurisdictions, dog bite cases fall under strict liability laws, meaning the owner is responsible for injuries caused by their dog regardless of whether the dog has shown aggression before. Evading the issue or becoming combative won’t change this fact.
  2. Call Your Insurance Company and Report the Incident: If you haven’t already done so, contact your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance company and report the incident. Provide them with all the details, including any communication you’ve received from the victim’s attorney. The insurance carrier is there to handle claims like this and will take over the process on your behalf. Cooperation at this stage can make the resolution smoother and faster for everyone involved.
  3. Let Your Insurance Company Handle the Claim: Once the insurance carrier is involved, they will work to resolve the claim through a negotiated settlement. If they cannot reach a settlement, your insurance policy will typically cover the cost of legal representation to defend you. That’s what insurance is for—providing financial protection and peace of mind in situations like this. Rely on your carrier to guide you through the process and handle the legal aspects, so you don’t have to face them alone.

Steps to Take If You’ve Been Injured in a Dog Attack

If you’ve been injured in a dog attack and are encountering resistance from the dog owner, there are steps you can take to protect your rights.

Here are the key steps to take:

  1. Document the Incident: Take photos of your injuries, gather witness statements, and record all interactions with the dog owner. This documentation will be critical if the case progresses.
  2. Contact the Police: Call the police and local animal control to report the attack. Their investigation will help build evidence against the dog owner to use when making a claim for your injuries.
  3. Stay Calm: While it’s natural to feel angry or frustrated, maintaining professionalism can help de-escalate tensions and encourage cooperation.
  4. Consult an Attorney: An experienced Illinois dog bite attorney can help navigate the complexities of a dog bite claim and work to identify insurance coverage if the owner refuses to cooperate.
  5. Be Persistent: If the owner continues to evade responsibility, your attorney can take legal steps to ensure accountability while still pursuing a fair and amicable resolution.

By following these steps, you can protect your rights and increase the likelihood of a fair and timely resolution to your claim.

The Importance of Cooperation After a Dog Bite Incident

Dog bite cases don’t have to be adversarial. When owners acknowledge responsibility and work with their insurer, claims resolve faster and more fairly. Avoiding the issue only increases stress, legal costs, and delays for all parties involved.

“Our goal is not to create panic or escalate matters. We focus on securing fair compensation for victims while making the process as straightforward as possible for dog owners. Cooperation through insurance prevents costly litigation and unnecessary conflict.”- Naperville dog bite lawyer, John J. Malm

While the victim is not seeking to take your dog, accountability ensures medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages are covered. If a dog owner refuses to cooperate, legal action may be necessary, but our preferred approach is always an amicable resolution.

Why Should You Consult John J. Malm & Associates After a Serious Dog Bite?

At John J. Malm & Associates, our team of six award-winning attorneys—based in Naperville and St. Charles—has over 90 years of combined experience handling complex personal injury litigation, including dog bite claims. Our dedicated Illinois dog attack lawyers understand the emotional and psychological dynamics at play and strive to resolve these cases with professionalism and care. If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite incident, contact us today for a free consultation. Our goal is always to achieve a fair and amicable resolution for everyone involved.

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