Jackson

Dog Bite Attorney

Fighting for Dog Attack Victims in Hinds County

A dog attack happens in seconds. What it leaves behind — torn skin, nerve damage, a child who’s now afraid of every dog on the block — can last a lifetime.

If you or your child was bitten by a dog in Jackson, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and the pain the attack caused. Insurance companies rarely make that easy. We do.

Timbs Injury Law, PLLC is a Jackson personal injury lawyer firm built to go after negligent dog owners and the insurance companies protecting them.

Call 601-775-5553 now for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we recover for you.

Mississippi Dog Bite Law: What You Need to Know

Mississippi does not have a strict liability dog bite statute like many states. Instead, Mississippi follows a common law “one-bite rule,” established in Poy v. Grayson, 273 So. 2d 491 (Miss. 1973). This doesn’t mean an owner gets a free pass on the first bite — it means you have to prove the owner knew, or reasonably should have known, that the dog had dangerous or vicious tendencies.

How You Prove “Vicious Propensity” Without a Prior Bite

You don’t need proof the dog bit someone before. Prior aggressive behavior is enough, including:

• Lunging or snapping at people
• Growling or charging fences and gates
• A history of chasing pedestrians, joggers, or mail carriers
• Breed-specific training for aggression or guard duty

Negligence Per Se: When a Leash Law Violation Proves Your Case

Jackson’s animal control ordinances (Code of Ordinances, City of Jackson, Chapter 18 — Animals) require owners to keep their dogs under control and prevent them from becoming a public nuisance. Mississippi Code Ann. § 21-19-9 authorizes municipalities like Jackson to enforce these leash and at-large restrictions. When a dog owner violates a local leash law and that violation leads directly to your injury, it can establish negligence per se — meaning the violation itself serves as evidence of negligence, separate from the one-bite rule.

When a Dog Bite Becomes a Premises Liability Case

Dog attacks don’t just happen in a stranger’s front yard. They happen at apartment complexes, rental properties, and businesses that allow animals on-site. When a landlord, property manager, or business owner knows a dangerous dog is present and fails to take reasonable precautions, they can share liability alongside the dog’s owner. If your attack happened on a commercial or rental property, our team — which also works as a premises liability attorney in Jackson — can evaluate whether the property owner is also on the hook.

Common Injuries From Jackson Dog Attacks

Dog bite injuries are frequently more severe than people expect, especially in attacks involving children or larger breeds. Injuries we regularly see include:

• Severe lacerations requiring stitches or surgical repair
• Puncture wounds that carry a high risk of infection
• Nerve damage, sometimes causing lasting numbness or loss of function
• Soft tissue and muscle damage from crushing bite force
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement, particularly with facial or hand injuries
• Bacterial infections, including risk of rabies exposure requiring post-exposure treatment
• Psychological trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, and a lasting fear of dogs

Establishing Fault: How We Build Your Case

Dog bite claims live and die on evidence. We move quickly to secure:

• Jackson Animal Care and Control records — prior complaints, bite history, and quarantine or impoundment records tied to the dog
• Police reports documenting the attack and any prior incidents
• Medical records from Jackson-area providers, including UMMC and St. Dominic, documenting the full extent of your injuries and treatment
• Photo evidence of the wound, the location, and any fencing, leash, or containment failures
• Neighbor and witness statements confirming the dog’s history or the circumstances of the attack

Provocation and Comparative Fault

Insurance companies often try to argue the victim provoked the dog. Mississippi follows a pure comparative negligence standard under Miss. Code Ann. § 11-7-15, meaning even if you’re found partially at fault, you can still recover compensation — it’s simply reduced by your percentage of fault. We push back hard against provocation claims, especially in cases involving young children who couldn’t reasonably be expected to know how to safely approach an unfamiliar dog.

Insurance Coverage for Dog Bite Claims

Most dog bite claims in Mississippi are paid through the dog owner’s insurance, not out of their personal savings:

• Homeowners insurance policies typically include liability coverage for dog bites, which can help pay for the victim’s damages
• Renters insurance policies frequently include similar liability protection for tenants who own dogs
• Some policies exclude specific breeds or dogs with a bite history — a detail insurers rarely volunteer, but one we know to look for

Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages

Damage Type	Category	What It Covers
Medical Bills	Economic	Emergency treatment, wound care, hospitalization, follow-up visits
Lost Income	Economic	Wages missed during recovery, including time off for surgeries and treatment
Plastic Surgery / Scar Revision	Economic	Reconstructive procedures to repair disfigurement or reduce scarring
Pain and Suffering	Non-Economic	Physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life from the attack

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statute of limitations for a dog bite claim in Mississippi?

Under Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49, you generally have three years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit in Mississippi. Waiting can also make it harder to preserve animal control records and witness memory, so it’s best to act quickly.

What if the dog belongs to a friend, neighbor, or family member?

This is one of the most common concerns we hear. In most cases, a claim is filed against the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy, not their personal bank account. Filing a claim doesn’t mean suing your friend out of their savings — it means holding their insurance company to the coverage they’re already paying for.

Do I have a case if the dog has never bitten anyone before?

Possibly, yes. Mississippi’s one-bite rule doesn’t require a prior bite — only that the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. Growling, lunging, or a history of aggressive behavior can be enough to establish liability.

Talk to a Jackson Dog Bite Lawyer Today

You don’t have to figure out animal control records, insurance policies, and comparative fault arguments on your own. Megan Timbs and her team will handle that fight so you can focus on healing.

• Visit us at: 5 Lakeland Circle, Jackson, MS 39216
• Call: 601-775-5553
• Or schedule a free consultation online

Free consultation. No fee unless we win.