Will my tenant insurance cover me if my dog bites someone?

No one expects their beloved pet to bite—well, anyone, anyway. Dogs can bite for reasons beyond our control. Even if Buddy or Max wouldn't hurt a fly, they might bite a guest unexpectedly. What would happen then? You could be held responsible for your dog's actions, even if they were provoked by a guest.

Home, tenant, and condo insurance policies include civil liability coverage.

As a tenant, you can have tenant insurance – which usually includes liability coverage that can protect you if you are held responsible for damage to someone else's property or injury. This includes your dog. If your dog injures or damages property, you are at risk. However, there may be exceptions to this depending on where you live – in some cases, if a dog walker or sitter is in charge of your dog, liability will fall on them or both of you.

While your liability insurance will likely cover expenses related to dog bites, there are exceptions. Some dog bites won't be covered if the dog is from a "high-risk" breed—that is, dogs with a history of biting or breeds on your insurer's blacklist. Some providers don't have these exceptions, while others have a specific list. If you own a dog, you should familiarize yourself with the exclusions listed by your insurance company.

Blacklisted breeds may sometimes, but not always, include the following dogs:

• Pitbull terrier
• Akitas
• Mastiffs
• Rottweiler
• Cane Corso
• Doberman Pinscher
• Wolfdogs
• German Shepherds
• Doberman Pinscher

That being said, each company has its own list based on its assessment of the risk posed by certain dogs. It's possible that even a single dog bite incident could lead to a dog being blacklisted, even if some breeds don't appear particularly risky.

Preventing dog bites

The best way to avoid having to file a complaint is to prevent the bite in the first place. A growl is a gift. If your dog, or a dog you're interacting with, growls, it's telling you to back off. Dogs never bite without reason.

According to a study published in the journal "Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences," the primary cause of dog bites is the victim provoking the dog. Victims are more often children, who generally lack the ability to properly manage interactions with animals, especially dogs, which may be more sensitive than others.

Here are some tips to prevent dog bites:

• Take care of your dog's basic needs: food and water, exercise, basic grooming, health, etc.
• Have your dog examined by a veterinarian once a year. Sometimes, dogs that are normally easygoing bite because they are unwell or injured.
• If your dog has a history of biting, invest in a muzzle and muzzle conditioning.
• If your dog is uncomfortable around guests, put him in a separate room with toys and food while the guests are there - or confine him to a kennel if he is cage-trained or block him in with baby gates.
• Socialize your dog when it is young or when you first adopt it.
• Train your dog properly.
• Hire a professional trainer if your dog's behavior is unmanageable.
• If your dog is a young puppy and is particularly vocal, redirect him to a nearby toy.
• Defend your dog's space and advise people on the best way to interact with your pet - or not at all, if your dog is nervous or prone to overexcitement.
• Always supervise children who are around your dog.

What to do after a dog bite

If your beloved pet bites someone and you are held responsible, what do you do? In Canada, there are approximately 500,000 dog bites each year. While many—if not most—of these bites are preventable, accidents do happen. Here's what to do after a dog bite:

1. Immediately separate the dog and the person to prevent further injury. If necessary, you may need to keep the dog in a crate, tie it up, or put it in a separate room and close the door.
2. Consult a doctor immediately if the bite or bites are serious.
3. Treat the person who has been bitten. Wash the wound, stop the bleeding with paper towels or gauze, and apply pressure.
4. Check if your dog's vaccinations are up to date. If there's any chance your dog's rabies vaccination might not be current, this is something you should share with emergency medical care providers.
5. Obtain the statements and contact details of all witnesses.
6. If law enforcement arrives on the scene, step back and let them assess the situation. In a critical situation, they may need to temporarily remove the dog.
7. Contact your insurer.

As soon as you contact your insurer, explain the circumstances as clearly as possible. Tell them about the bite and give them as many details as you can. An agent or claims adjuster may come to speak with the injured party, who can then contact a lawyer.

Dog laws vary from province to province. Technically, owning a dog carries a significant liability risk, as owners can be sued. Liability can be determined by whether or not the owner knew their dog posed a biting risk. If the dog has no history of aggression, the owners may not be held responsible. This is also true if the bite was provoked.

Overall, owning a dog is a responsibility, just like owning a car. You are responsible for your dog's supervision, care, and handling. If you believe your dog may pose a potential biting risk or has a history of biting, contact a professional dog trainer for assistance.