St. Louis Dog Bite & Attack Attorneys

Holding Negligent Dog Owners Accountable in Missouri

Any dog can bite. It does not matter the breed, the size, or whether the owner thought their pet was friendly. When it happens, the injuries can be serious — puncture wounds, lacerations, nerve damage, broken bones, facial scarring, and psychological trauma that lingers long after the physical wounds heal.

Missouri law is clear: dog owners are responsible for the harm their animals cause. At Meyerkord Law Group, we know how to build these cases, including how juries actually think about them. Our $250,000 dog bite jury verdict did not happen by accident. It happened because we did the preparation work before we ever walked into the courtroom.

• Over $60 Million Recovered for our clients
• 30+ years of trial experience
• 24/7 free consultations — phone, text, email, or video

Call our St. Louis dog bite attorneys today at (314) 500-6000. Your call will be answered by an attorney ready to clarify your legal rights and schedule a free consultation.

Why Choose Meyerkord Law Group?

You have many choices when looking for help after a dog attack, but not every firm approaches these cases the same way. At Meyerkord Law Group, we treat dog bite claims with the same level of preparation and care that we bring to any serious injury case.

Because we are a family-led, boutique firm based in the St. Louis region, we limit the number of matters we accept so we can give each one the attention it deserves. That means you work directly with attorneys who know Missouri dog bite law, not just with case managers. We are available to answer your questions, explain the strategy at each stage, and adjust our approach based on what we learn from insurers, opposing counsel, and potential jurors.

Our willingness to take cases to trial, combined with decades of courtroom experience, also gives us leverage at the negotiation table. Insurers recognize when a claim is being handled by lawyers who are prepared to walk into the Civil Courts Building in downtown St. Louis or another local courthouse and present a compelling case. That reputation often leads to more serious settlement discussions and helps us pursue outcomes that reflect the full impact of a dog bite on you and your family.

Missouri Dog Bite Law

Missouri follows a strict liability rule for dog bites. This means a dog owner is responsible for injuries their dog causes, even if the dog had never shown aggression before, and even if the owner had no reason to expect an attack.

To recover compensation, you generally need to show:

• You were bitten or attacked by the dog
• You were in a public place or lawfully on private property at the time
• You did not provoke the animal

You do not need to prove the owner was careless or knew the dog was dangerous. The strict liability rule removes that burden, which is one reason these cases can be stronger than people expect.

What About Comparative Fault?

Dog owners and their insurers frequently argue that the victim provoked the dog or acted carelessly. Under Missouri's pure comparative fault rule, if they successfully assign you a percentage of blame, your recovery is reduced proportionally.

We anticipate these arguments from day one. Our team investigates the circumstances thoroughly, reviewing incident reports, witness accounts, and any prior complaints about the animal, to counter blame-shifting before it gains traction.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

In most cases, the dog owner is the liable party. But some situations are more complex. If you were bitten at a rental property, liability may extend beyond the owner to a landlord or property management company, particularly if they knew the dog was present and potentially dangerous. We review lease documents, local ordinances, and incident reports to identify every party that may share responsibility.

Dog owners also frequently carry homeowner's or renter's insurance that covers bite claims. We identify all available coverage so nothing is left on the table.

How We Win Dog Bite Cases

Dog bite cases have a unique dynamic in the courtroom. Jurors sometimes sympathize with the dog, or the owner, in ways that can work against an injured victim. Knowing this, we do not just show up and present the facts. We prepare.

Before our $250,000 dog bite jury verdict, our focus group work revealed something important: jurors did not want to blame or shame the dog. They wanted to hold the owner accountable for their responsibility to control their animal. That insight changed how we framed the entire case, and it changed the outcome.

This kind of preparation is standard practice at Meyerkord Law Group. We test our case narratives with real community members before trial, so we know exactly how to tell your story when it matters most.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dog attacks produce a range of injuries, some obvious, some that develop over time:

• Puncture wounds and lacerations requiring stitches or surgery
• Infection from bacteria introduced during the bite
• Nerve damage causing numbness, tingling, or loss of movement
• Broken bones, particularly in hands, arms, and face
• Soft tissue damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments
• Facial injuries and permanent scarring, especially common in children
• Psychological trauma, anxiety, and PTSD

Facial and psychological injuries deserve particular attention. Visible scarring affects how victims feel about themselves every day. PTSD and fear of animals can disrupt daily life in ways that are hard to quantify but very real. We document both, and we argue for compensation that reflects both.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

A dog bite claim in Missouri can include compensation for:

Economic Damages

• All medical bills related to the attack, including surgery and follow-up care
• Future treatment costs, including scar management or reconstructive surgery
• Lost wages during recovery
• Counseling and psychological support

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Emotional distress and PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life

What To Do After a Dog Bite

It's important to:

• Seek medical attention immediately, even wounds that seem minor can become seriously infected
• Report the incident to St. Louis Animal Control
• Photograph your injuries and the location where the attack occurred
• Get the dog owner's name, contact information, and insurance details
• Ask for witness contact information
• Do not give a recorded statement to the owner's insurer before speaking with an attorney

Contact us as early as possible. Evidence and witness recollections are strongest right after an attack.

Frequently Asked Questions