If you were bitten by a pit bull in Maryland, get medical care, report the attack, identify the dog owner, take photos, and avoid giving a recorded statement to the insurance company before understanding your rights. Pit bull attacks can cause deep puncture wounds, torn tissue, nerve damage, infection, scarring, emotional trauma, and long-term medical needs.
This page explains what to do after a pit bull bite, how Maryland dog bite law works, when the dog owner may be responsible, and how a Maryland dog bite lawyer can help you pursue compensation.
| Step | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Get medical care | Have the wound cleaned and examined as soon as possible. | Dog bites can become infected and may need antibiotics, stitches, or rabies evaluation. |
| 2. Report the attack | Contact animal control, the health department, or the proper local authority. | A report creates a record and may help confirm vaccination or rabies risk. |
| 3. Identify the dog owner | Get the owner’s name, address, phone number, and insurance information if available. | The owner’s homeowners or renters insurance may apply. |
| 4. Take photos | Photograph the wounds, torn clothing, location, dog, leash, fence, or open gate if safe. | Photos help prove the severity of the attack and where it happened. |
| 5. Call a lawyer | Speak with a Maryland dog bite lawyer if the injury required medical treatment. | A lawyer can protect your claim before the insurance company disputes it. |
What Should You Do Immediately After a Pit Bull Bite?
After a pit bull bite, your first priority is safety and medical care. Move away from the dog, call for help, and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if the wound looks small, a dog bite can push bacteria deep into the skin and increase the risk of infection.
After getting medical help, try to identify the dog owner, report the attack, take photos, and keep all records related to the bite. These steps can protect both your health and your legal claim.
When Should You Get Medical Care?
You should get medical care after a pit bull bite if the skin is broken, the wound is deep, bleeding does not stop, the bite is on the face, hand, neck, or joint, or you do not know whether the dog is vaccinated. You should also seek care if you notice redness, swelling, warmth, pus, fever, chills, increasing pain, or red streaks near the wound.
A doctor may clean the wound, check for infection, prescribe antibiotics, recommend a tetanus shot, or evaluate whether rabies treatment is needed. Prompt treatment also creates medical documentation that may be important if you later file a dog bite claim.
What Steps Should You Follow for Wound Care After a Pit Bull Bite?
According to Cleveland Clinic guidance for dog bite care, immediate wound cleaning and medical attention are important. If you are bitten, take these steps:
- Move to safety and get away from the dog.
- Wash the wound with warm running water and mild soap for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Use a clean cloth to slow bleeding.
- Apply antibiotic cream if available.
- Cover the wound with a sterile bandage.
- See a doctor as soon as possible.
- Change the bandage as directed and watch for signs of infection.
Do not ignore a pit bull bite because it looks small. Puncture wounds can trap bacteria under the skin and may become infected without proper medical care.
Should You Report a Pit Bull Attack to Animal Control?
You should report a pit bull attack to animal control, the local health department, or the proper local authority. Reporting the bite can help officials confirm vaccination information, evaluate rabies risk, document the attack, and take steps to prevent future injuries.
A report can also support your dog bite claim. It may identify the dog owner, show where the attack happened, confirm witness information, and create an official record of the incident. For more detail, read our guide on whether doctors have to report dog bites in Maryland.
Can You Sue After a Pit Bull Bite in Maryland?
Yes, you may be able to sue after a pit bull bite in Maryland if the attack caused injury and the dog owner, landlord, property owner, or another party may be legally responsible. Maryland law does not require every dog bite victim to prove that the dog previously bit someone before.
Under Maryland Courts and Judicial Proceedings §3-1901, evidence that a dog caused personal injury or death creates a rebuttable presumption that the owner knew or should have known the dog had vicious or dangerous propensities. In addition, a dog owner may be liable when a dog causes injury, death, or property loss while running at large, unless a legal exception applies.
For a broader explanation, read our main page on Maryland dog bite lawyers and our guide to Maryland dog bite laws.
Does Maryland Treat Pit Bulls Differently From Other Dogs?
Maryland state dog bite law does not single out pit bulls or treat one breed differently from another. Maryland dog bite claims focus on the facts of the attack, the dog owner’s responsibility, whether the dog was running at large, and whether any defenses apply.
However, local rules can vary. Some Maryland counties or municipalities may have breed-specific rules, permit requirements, or animal control ordinances. Check the county or municipality where the dog owner keeps the dog or where the attack happened, because local laws can change.
Are Pit Bulls Banned Anywhere in Maryland?
Maryland does not have a statewide pit bull ban. Prince George’s County previously had strict pit bull restrictions, but the county announced a 2026 pilot program that allows legal ownership, adoption, registration, and permitting for pit bull-type dogs when owners follow county requirements.
Because local ordinances can change, do not rely on outdated information about breed bans. Check the current county or municipal rules where the dog is kept, especially if the attack happened in Prince George’s County or another county with animal-control regulations.
What If the Dog Owner Says You Provoked the Dog?
The dog owner or insurance company may argue that you provoked the dog, trespassed, committed a crime, or caused the attack in some way. Maryland law recognizes defenses when the injured person was trespassing, committing certain criminal acts, or teasing, tormenting, abusing, or provoking the dog.
However, the insurance company cannot simply make that claim without facts. Witness statements, photos, animal control reports, medical records, and prior complaints about the dog may help show what actually happened.
Why Pit Bull Bite Claims Can Be Serious
Pit bull attacks can cause serious injuries because of the strength of the dog, the force of the bite, and the risk of repeated biting or shaking during the attack. Severe cases may involve torn tissue, broken bones, vascular trauma, nerve damage, facial injuries, scarring, infection, or the need for reconstructive surgery.
The value of a pit bull bite claim depends on the injury, medical treatment, scarring, lost wages, emotional trauma, insurance coverage, and whether the owner or another party disputes liability. Online statistics and settlement averages can be misleading because each case depends on its own facts.
Common Injuries From Pit Bull Attacks
Common injuries from pit bull attacks may include:
- Deep puncture wounds
- Facial and neck lacerations
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Torn skin, muscle, or soft tissue
- Nerve damage
- Vascular injuries
- Infections
- Hand, arm, leg, or foot injuries
- Emotional trauma, anxiety, and fear of dogs
Children can suffer especially serious injuries because dog bites often affect the face, head, neck, hands, and arms. If the bite caused permanent scarring, you may also want to review our guide on filing a disfigurement and scarring lawsuit.
Infection Risks After a Pit Bull Bite
Dog bites can be dangerous because bacteria from the dog’s mouth can enter the wound. A bite may become infected even if it does not look severe at first. Puncture wounds are especially risky because bacteria can become trapped under the skin.
Signs of infection may include redness, swelling, warmth, pus, fever, chills, worsening pain, or red streaks near the bite. If you notice these symptoms, seek medical care immediately.
How Are Pit Bull Bite Claims Usually Settled?
Many pit bull bite claims are resolved through settlement with the dog owner’s homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or another available policy. However, the amount of compensation depends on the facts of the case, the severity of the injury, medical treatment, scarring, lost income, emotional harm, insurance limits, and whether liability is disputed.
Do not assume that an online average applies to your case. A minor bite that heals quickly is very different from a serious attack involving surgery, permanent scars, infection, or trauma to a child. For related information, read our guide on the average dog bite settlement amount.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Pit Bull Attack?
Compensation after a pit bull attack may include emergency treatment, hospital care, stitches, surgery, infection treatment, rabies evaluation, plastic surgery, scar revision, counseling, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and future medical care.
The value of the claim depends on the seriousness of the injuries, how the attack happened, whether the dog had a history of aggression, whether the owner violated leash or animal-control rules, and the available insurance coverage.
What Evidence Helps Prove a Pit Bull Bite Claim?
Helpful evidence may include photos of the bite wound, photos of torn clothing, medical records, animal control reports, vaccination information, witness statements, prior complaints about the dog, proof of lost wages, and insurance information.
If the dog had attacked someone before, escaped before, acted aggressively, or violated local leash or animal-control rules, that evidence may help prove the claim. If the attack happened on rental property, evidence that a landlord knew about a dangerous dog may also matter. For related information, read our guide on whether a landlord can be liable for a tenant’s pit bull attack.
How Long Do You Have to File a Pit Bull Bite Claim?
In many Maryland dog bite cases, the injured person has three years from the date the claim accrues to file a civil lawsuit, unless a different legal deadline applies. Usually, that means three years from the date of the bite or attack.
Waiting too long can hurt your claim. Witnesses may become harder to find, photos may be lost, medical records may become harder to organize, and the insurance company may argue that the delay weakens the case. For more details, read our guide on the statute of limitations on dog bite claims.
How a Maryland Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help
A Maryland dog bite lawyer can investigate the attack, identify the dog owner, and gather evidence. They can request reports and review medical records. They can also communicate with the insurance company and calculate the value of your injuries.
Legal help can be especially important if the attack caused scarring, infection, surgery, lost wages, emotional trauma, or a dispute about who was responsible. A lawyer can also help if the insurance company argues that you provoked the dog or that the owner should not bear liability.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What should I do first if I’m bitten by a pit bull?
Move to safety, get medical care, and report the bite. You should also identify the dog owner, take photos, and gather witness information. Avoid giving a recorded insurance statement before understanding your rights.
-
Should I go to the doctor after a pit bull bite?
Yes. You should get medical care after a pit bull bite, especially if the skin is broken, the wound is deep, bleeding continues, the bite is on the face or hand, or you do not know the dog’s vaccination status.
-
Should I report a pit bull attack to animal control?
Yes. Reporting the attack can create an official record and help confirm vaccination information. This allows officials to evaluate rabies risk, and document the dog’s behavior.
-
Can I sue after a pit bull bite in Maryland?
You may be able to sue if the bite caused injury and the dog owner, landlord, property owner, or another party may be legally responsible. The strength of the claim depends on the facts of the attack and available defenses.
-
Does Maryland treat pit bulls differently from other dogs?
Maryland state dog bite law does not single out pit bulls. However, some counties or municipalities may have local animal-control rules, permit requirements, or breed-specific ordinances.
-
What if the owner says I provoked the dog?
Provocation can be a defense in Maryland dog bite cases. However, the insurance company should have evidence to support that claim. Witnesses, photos, reports, and medical records may help show what happened.
-
Are pit bulls banned in Maryland?
Maryland does not have a statewide pit bull ban. Prince George’s County previously had strict restrictions, but in 2026 the county announced a pilot program allowing legal ownership, adoption, registration, and permitting when requirements are met.
-
How are pit bull bite claims settled?
Many claims are settled through homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or another available insurance policy. Settlement value depends on injury severity, treatment, scarring, lost income, emotional trauma, and liability disputes.
-
What compensation can I recover after a pit bull attack?
Compensation may include medical bills, hospital care, stitches, surgery, infection treatment, rabies evaluation, scar revision, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and future medical care.
-
Do I need a lawyer after a pit bull bite?
You should consider speaking with a lawyer if the bite required medical care, caused scarring, infection, lost wages, emotional trauma, or an insurance dispute.
Talk With a Maryland Dog Bite Lawyer After a Pit Bull Attack
If a pit bull bit you in Maryland, The Law Offices of Alex Poberesky, P.A. can help you understand your rights and next steps. Our team can review the attack, gather evidence, communicate with the insurance company, and pursue compensation for your injuries.
Call (410) 484-0400 to schedule a free consultation with our Maryland legal team.
