First and foremost, the victim of a dog bite has a potential claim against that dog’s owner. Oregon law states that if the dog’s owner knew, or should have known, that their dog had violent tendencies or was dangerous, they can be responsible for the injuries and expenses the dog caused. Some refer to this as the “one-bite” rule, suggesting that an owner will not be responsible if it is the first time their dog bites someone. But this is not necessarily true, because a dog can show it is dangerous by trying to bite someone, acting aggressively, or attacking someone without biting them. In these situations, the dog owner should know the dog is dangerous even if it has never actually bitten anyone. Also, some dog breeds are considered “inherently dangerous” and can lead to owner responsibility more automatically. Finally, if the dog was not known to be previously dangerous, you still have a potential claim, but it will be more limited  as to what you can recover (for example, medical expenses or other economic losses not including pain and suffering).

Yes, because some breeds are considered automatically “dangerous” in Oregon and therefore the owner is expected to know they are likely to bite or harm someone.

You can still bring a claim against the dog’s owner for any injuries caused by that dog, not just dog bites. Many people are hurt by being knocked over by dogs or trying to avoid a dog bite or aggressive dog. These cases are handled similarly to actual dog bites.

If the dog bite breaks the skin or you have any reason to suspect the dog may have rabies, you must report it to animal control for the county in which you live or where it happened.