What Happens If Your Dog Bites Someone in Las Vegas? Quarantine, Fines, and Liability

Owning a dog in Las Vegas comes with all kinds of responsibilities, but few situations are more stressful than finding out your dog has bitten someone.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a quick nip that barely breaks the skin or a more serious bite that requires medical care — the fallout can be significant. From mandatory quarantines and investigations by Animal Control to potential fines and civil lawsuits, dog bites are handled seriously here. It’s the kind of event that can rattle even the most experienced pet owners.

That’s why it’s so important to understand what happens after a bite, what the local rules require of you, and what steps you need to take to protect yourself, your dog, and the person who was injured. Knowing what to expect ahead of time can make an overwhelming situation a little more manageable.

Animal Control Investigation and Quarantine Requirements

Let’s start with what happens first: if your dog bites a person and the bite breaks the skin, Animal Control will be notified, either by the victim, a medical professional, or law enforcement. In Las Vegas, Animal Control will typically come out to investigate the incident and verify your dog’s vaccination records.

In nearly every case, your dog will be required to undergo a ten-day quarantine period to monitor for any signs of rabies. If your dog’s rabies vaccinations are up to date and there are no other immediate safety concerns, the quarantine can usually be completed at your home, provided you can securely confine your dog and comply with observation requirements.

If your dog is overdue for vaccination, or if Animal Control determines your dog poses a higher risk, the quarantine may take place at an approved facility such as the Animal Foundation, and you will be responsible for all associated boarding costs. During this time, your dog must not have contact with anyone outside your household, and you’ll need to monitor them closely for any symptoms of illness.

Fines, Citations, and Potential Criminal Charges

Beyond the quarantine, dog bites frequently result in citations or fines.

Even if your dog has never bitten anyone before, you could be cited for violations such as failure to control an animal, failure to vaccinate, or failure to license your dog with the city or county. These citations can carry fines that range from around $100 for minor infractions to several hundred dollars if multiple violations are involved.

If the bite was severe or if your dog was known to be aggressive, you could potentially face misdemeanor charges. While the majority of dog bite incidents don’t lead to criminal prosecution, it’s something to be aware of if the circumstances are more serious or if there’s a history of prior incidents.

Civil Liability and the One-Bite Rule

Nevada generally follows what’s known as the “one-bite rule.” This means that as an owner, you are not automatically considered liable the first time your dog bites someone, unless you knew or should have known your dog had a tendency to bite. However, if you were negligent — such as failing to leash your dog in a public area, allowing your dog to escape your property, or ignoring previous warnings — you could be held financially responsible.

The person who was bitten has the right to file a claim with your homeowners or renters insurance, or to sue you in civil court for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It’s worth noting that many insurance policies will cover dog bite liability up to policy limits, but some companies exclude certain breeds or dogs with a bite history. If you’re not sure how your coverage works, it’s a good idea to call your insurance company as soon as possible after the incident.

Dangerous or Vicious Dog Classification

In more serious cases, Animal Control has the authority to classify a dog as dangerous or vicious under local ordinances. A dangerous dog is typically one that has, without provocation, behaved aggressively or menaced people on two separate occasions within 18 months. A vicious dog is one that has killed or severely injured a person.

If your dog is classified in either category, you will be required to comply with a series of strict rules, including special confinement measures, posting warning signs, maintaining liability insurance, and, in some cases, muzzling the dog in public. If the dog is declared vicious, euthanasia may be ordered by the court.

These are extreme outcomes, but they do occur, especially if there’s a pattern of prior attacks or if the bite caused significant harm.

What You Should Do if Your Dog Bites Someone

If you ever find yourself in this situation, the best thing you can do is act quickly and responsibly. Make sure the person who was bitten receives any necessary medical care right away. Exchange contact information and provide copies of your dog’s vaccination records to the victim or to Animal Control.

You should also report the bite to Animal Control yourself, even if you believe the other party has already done so. Failing to report can lead to additional penalties. Cooperate fully with Animal Control’s investigation and quarantine requirements, and be prepared to show proof of licensing and vaccinations.

Finally, contact your insurance company to notify them of the incident and find out what your options are in terms of coverage and legal assistance.