If you are bitten by a dog in New Jersey, you must get medical care right away and report the bite to the local animal control or health department. New Jersey uses strict liability under N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, so the dog owner is responsible even if the dog never bit anyone before. After you report the bite, take photos, get the owner’s information, and call The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore so we can move fast before evidence disappears.
Winter in South Jersey changes the way dog attacks happen. Dogs stay indoors longer. People visit homes for holiday events. Kids meet new pets. At The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore, our team of six lawyers and more than a dozen paralegals handles these cases across Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester Counties every day. Our owner, Eric Shore, has been handling dog bite cases since the mid 1990s, and January through March are always the busiest months.
What should I do right after a dog bite in New Jersey
Get medical care as soon as you can. Winter dog bites in Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Mount Laurel, and Camden often lead to fast infections. Even a small puncture wound turns into a serious problem within hours.
Reporting the bite is required in New Jersey
Every town has its own process. You must report the bite to local animal control or the town’s health department. This creates the official record and starts the rabies quarantine.
Common South Jersey contacts:
- Cherry Hill Animal Control: 856-424-1333
- Voorhees Animal Control: 856-627-1000
- Camden County Animal Shelter and Animal Control: 856-401-1300
- Gloucester County Animal Shelter: 856-881-2828
If you cannot reach animal control, call the non emergency police line in the town where the bite happened and ask for the incident number.
The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore uses these reports to track down the dog, the owner, and their insurance.
Gather evidence at the scene
Take photos of the wound, your torn clothing, and the dog if it is safe. Take a photo of the house or yard. Snow covers evidence fast. Get the owner’s name, address, phone number, and homeowners insurance. Most South Jersey homeowners have NJM, Allstate, State Farm, or Travelers.
Write down what happened while it is fresh.
New Jersey’s strict liability law
Under N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, the dog owner is responsible if the dog bites someone who is lawfully on public or private property. You do not have to prove negligence.
If you were invited to a friend’s home in Cherry Hill and their dog bit you, the claim goes through their homeowners insurance. It does not come out of their pocket.
If a loose dog knocked you down in Voorhees and you hurt your knee trying to escape, you still have a claim. The dog does not need to break the skin. We have settled many South Jersey cases where a person was never touched but was injured while avoiding an off leash dog. Mental trauma counts too. Eric Shore handled his first case like this decades ago, and we see more every winter.
Why insurance companies blame New Jersey victims
Adjusters repeat the same script in Camden, Pennsauken, Cherry Hill, and Mount Laurel. They call everything “provocation.”
You knocked.
You walked past the yard.
You reached out after the owner told you the dog was friendly.
You stepped on the porch.
The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore deals with this every day. We do not let nonsense stick.
Winter makes these cases harder in South Jersey
Dark evenings limit witnesses. Cameras record poorly in low light and overwrite footage in 30 to 72 hours. Snow hides tracks and blood. Adjusters use this to argue that you startled the dog.
This is why you should contact us early. Our team knows how to preserve what is left before it is gone.
What you can recover
- Medical bills.
- Rabies treatment.
- Plastic surgery for scarring.
- Lost wages.
- Pain and suffering.
- Therapy for fear of dogs or PTSD.
- Future medical care.
Kids bitten in the face often need long term care. Adults often need therapy after an attack. We see it all the time.
Common South Jersey winter scenarios
- Holiday gatherings in Cherry Hill.
- Storm doors that do not latch in Voorhees.
- Delivery drivers bitten in Camden or Pennsauken.
- Dogs cooped up indoors for long stretches of cold weather.
FAQ: New Jersey dog bite law in winter
Can I bring a claim if a dog bit me at a friend’s house in New Jersey
Yes. New Jersey law holds the dog owner responsible, and the claim is filed through their homeowners insurance. This is common in South Jersey holiday settings. If you were invited onto the property, you have a valid claim. The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore handles these cases often.
Do I have a case if a dog knocked me down but never bit me
Yes. New Jersey allows claims when a loose or uncontrolled dog causes your injury, even without a bite. We have settled many South Jersey cases like this. Falls count. Anxiety counts. Document the scene and report it right away.
What should I do if I was walking my dog and another dog attacked us
You still have a claim. If the other dog was loose, off leash, or the owner lost control, the owner is responsible. This comes up often in Voorhees, Haddonfield, and Mount Laurel. Report the attack to animal control and get the owner’s address.
Do I have to report the dog bite in New Jersey
Yes. Reporting is required. It starts the rabies protocol. Call animal control or the health department in the town where it happened and ask for the incident number. If you need help, The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore can guide you.
Should I talk to the insurance company
Not before you speak with us. Adjusters in New Jersey ask questions that sound harmless but are designed to lower your claim. Let our team deal with them.
Getting help
If you or your child suffered a dog bite this winter in South Jersey, reach out before you speak with any insurance company. The Law Offices of Eric A. Shore has handled these cases for more than 30 years. We know the rules. We know the reporting process. We know the tricks adjusters use.
Call 1 800 CANT WORK or visit 1800CANTWORK.com.
This is general information, not legal advice.
