Liability for bites that occur in dog parks is different than attacks that occur in other places since you enter fully aware dogs may be off-leash. Generally speaking, you assume the risk by entering the park—and oftentimes, you’ll see signs posted that establish this. However, the law states that every person can assume others will abide the law. If an irresponsible dog owner doesn’t follow the park’s rules and this leads to an attack, you, as the victim, have a case.

In every state, the owner of a dog that has a propensity for aggression is liable for injuries no matter what. If a pet owner knowingly brings a dangerous animal into a park, this qualifies as negligence and a reckless disregard for other people and animals. That pet owner can be held fully responsible for resulting injuries.

If the pet owner wasn’t negligent in any way, you may have a case against the city or county. Generally speaking, immunities protect government entities from claims—but this only applies if that entity actively enforces its own rules and regulations. If, for example, a dog owner frequently breaks the park’s rules, and the local animal control officers fail to take action once informed, you as a victim may have a case against the city or country.