Wyoming Dog Bite Laws

In 2021, a Cheyenne boy named Henry was attacked by his neighbor's dog. Henry suffered multiple injuries, such as a cracked palate, a shattered eye socket, and a broken left jaw. The dog was found to have a history of aggression and was put to death 10 days after the incident, in compliance with Wyoming dog bite laws.

The incident serves as a reminder to locals in Wyoming that they should be careful of dogs’ tendency to attack even without provocation. Dog bites can result in serious medical expenses or death. The Insurance Information Institute reports that in 2022, U.S. insurers paid out over $1 billion in claims for dog-related injuries, with an average of $64,555 per claim.

In case a dog bites you or your loved one, you need to be aware of your legal rights under Wyoming dog bite laws in order to get compensation for your losses. 

This article gives a general summary of Wyoming's laws regarding dog bites, including how to hold a dog owner accountable for the injuries of a victim. It also provides information on how owners may defend themselves against dog bite claims.

Dog Owner Responsibilities in Wyoming

License

Wyoming Statutes § 15-1-103 authorizes city and town governments to impose licensing requirements for keeping dogs. 

For example, all dogs that reside in the City of Laramie must have a pet license, which can be obtained at the City Hall or Laramie Animal Shelter. The Town of Jackson also requires dogs starting at four months old and onwards to have licenses valid for one year. 

Rabies Vaccination

In Wyoming, state law does not mandate rabies vaccinations for dogs. However, each board of county commissioners has the authority to establish local rabies vaccination guidelines and restrictions. 

For instance, all residents in Teton County with dogs that are at least three months old must present a valid certificate proving the dog's rabies vaccination.

Running at Large

In Wyoming, every board of county commissioners has the power to pass laws pertaining to dogs running at large. Dogs that run at large in unincorporated areas of a county are considered a public nuisance, punishable by fines and dog impoundment. 

The City of Cheyenne, through City Ordinance Section 6.08.030, requires dog owners to keep their pets under control at all times. They must only allow their dogs to run freely on their property.

Leash Law

Dogs must be leashed in public places, unless in approved off-leash zones. Some of the off-leash public dog parks in Wyoming include the Sheridan Ave Dog Park and the Morad Park Off-Leash Area. 

Note that some local ordinances do not consider voice control and electronic collars as means of complying with leash requirements. 

This rule does not apply to guide dogs that work for persons with disabilities or to police dogs that are used for law enforcement purposes.

Keeping of Dangerous Dogs

It is illegal for anybody in Wyoming to keep any animal with aggressive or vicious tendencies. An aggressive dog is defined as one that intimidatingly chases or approaches a person, pet, or livestock without provocation. Any dog owner who receives a dangerous dog notice must abide by the laws in their municipality. 

Dogs that have attacked or bitten a person may be seized by the local animal control officer or county sheriff. 

Maximum Number of Dogs

The number of dogs an individual may own in Wyoming is not regulated at the state level, although there can be municipal or county-level limitations. 

For instance, the City of Cheyenne limits household dogs to four, while the City of Casper permits a person to own a maximum of three dogs. 

Breed-Specific Legislation in Wyoming

In Wyoming, there is no statewide dog breed prohibition; however, certain localities have restrictions. Breed Specific Legislation, or BSL, is a law that restricts or prohibits the ownership of a particular breed of dog. 

Doberman enthusiasts have reported online that Manderson town, for example, may include Dobermans in their list of prohibited breeds, which already includes pit bulls. Pit bulls were also banned in the Town of Ranchester once; however, this law was later repealed.

Liability Standards in Wyoming Dog Bite Cases

No Strict Liability

There is no strict liability law for dog bites in Wyoming. This implies that a dog owner is not automatically accountable for the harm that their pet has caused. If dog bite victims have proof that the owner knew or should have known about the dog's viciousness or history of aggressive conduct, they may be able to hold the owners responsible for their injuries.

Negligence

In accordance with Wyoming dog bite laws, a victim of a dog bite may pursue damages using a negligence claim. Damages refer to the monetary compensation that the court may award to the plaintiff.

A person is considered negligent if they fail to use reasonable caution in a given circumstance. Negligence also means the person did not act in a way that someone who is careful and prudent would have done in the same situation. 

If a dog owner violates an animal control law and their pet injures another person or animal, they are immediately considered negligent. 

However, if the defendant is not automatically negligent, a victim must establish the following elements to win their negligence claim:

• Duty of care. The plaintiff must establish that the dog's owner had an obligation to exercise reasonable control or restraint over the animal in order to keep it from endangering other people.

• Breach of duty. The plaintiff must demonstrate that the dog owner failed to exercise reasonable caution to keep the dog from biting or attacking.

• Causation. The plaintiff needs to show a clear connection between their injuries and the dog owner's breach of duty.

• Damages. The dog attack or bite must have caused the plaintiff to experience actual losses that must be compensated.

Landlord Liability

If a landlord knew that a tenant's dog was aggressive, they could be held accountable if the guest was bitten while on their property.

Possible Defenses Against Dog Bite Claims

• Lack of knowledge. Dog owners may argue that they were unaware of their dog's chances of biting someone or another animal. An example of this is a 2003 dog bite case heard at a Wyoming district court favoring the dog owner’s lack of knowledge. However, the appellate court reversed the decision in favor of the dog bite victim. 

• Trespassing. A dog owner may claim that the victim was trespassing on their property when the incident occurred.

• Comparative negligence. Dog owners may argue that they are not responsible for the victim's injuries based on comparative negligence. Comparative negligence law states that if a victim bears more than 50% of the blame for their dog bite injuries, they will not be eligible to receive any compensation.

Statute of Limitations in Wyoming for Dog Bite Cases

There is a four-year statute of limitations for dog-bite injury cases in Wyoming. This means that a dog bite victim has four years from the date of the incident to bring a case against the owner. The victim will lose their right to pursue damages for their injuries if they do not submit their claim within the legal deadline.

Civil Penalties for Dog Bites in Wyoming

The Wyomingite pet owner whose dog has bitten some or another animal will be imposed with a fine of up to $200. The dog may also be put down or impounded for 10 days or more, depending on local regulations. In some cases, the quarantine could be extended if the state health officer finds that the dog has an illness that could spread to people.

Home quarantine is frequently permitted in Wyoming. However, the owner of the dog must be able to produce a certificate attesting to the animal's rabies vaccination from a registered veterinarian in order for the dog to be eligible for a home quarantine. 

Criminal Penalties for Dog Bites in Wyoming

In addition to civil penalties, there can also be criminal charges for pet owners in dog attack incidents, depending on the Wyoming area. A case in point is Pinedale, which imposes a misdemeanor on dog owners found guilty of such charges. Convictees also face fines of up to $750, plus additional legal fees. Furthermore, the owner's dog license will automatically be revoked, and no new permit will be granted for a year.

Anybody found guilty of breaking this law is required to take the offending animal out of the municipality and dispose of it humanely within 10 days. The animal control officer will seize the offending animal and dispose of it humanely if its owner fails to do so.

Reporting and Handling Dog Bite Incidents

Here's what to do in Wyoming if a dog bites or attacks you or a loved one: 

1. Your top priority should be tending to your wounds after the attack. Use warm water and soap to properly wash your wounds. If the bleeding stops, apply some antibiotic cream to the bite area. 

2. Seek medical assistance if the dog's rabies vaccinations are out of date, if the bite caused skin rips, or if the animal that bit you was a stray or wild animal. 

3. Notify your local law enforcement or animal control agency about the dog attack. Have them conduct an investigation and create an incident report. 

4. Take pictures of your wounds as well as the incident scene.

5. Get in touch with the owner and any witnesses who have seen the incident. 

6. As proof, save any bloody or ripped clothes, along with any reports or medical records pertaining to your treatment and injuries.

7. Consider hiring a dog bite lawyer, as they can assist you in the process of pursuing compensation for your damage. 

How To Find a Dog Bite Attorney in Wyoming

Dog bite victims may search online for a Wyoming personal injury lawyer who focuses on dog bite cases. When choosing a dog bite attorney, the victim should look for professionals who have a good track record, positive reviews from past clients, and extensive experience with cases comparable to theirs.

If a dog has bitten you, it is wise to contact a dog bite attorney because they can help with navigating the legal system, protecting your interests during the process, and securing fair compensation for medical bills.

Other Resources for Dog Bite Victims in Wyoming

Riverton Animal Control

The Riverton Police Department hires a full-time animal control officer, whose job it is to ensure the safety of residents and tourists in the area. Its personnel also maintain the welfare of animals by sheltering dogs and educating Riverton residents. Their responsibilities include capturing roaming pets or untamed animals and collaborating with the nearby animal rescue to bring back lost animals to their owners. Residents can use the online citizen request center or call 307-856-4891 to get in touch with the animal control officer.

Black Dog Animal Rescue

Promoting, supplying, and advocating for the needs of pet companions are some of Black Dog Animal Rescue’s goals. It provides a range of community services, including low-cost microchip implantation and pet boosters. All of Black Dog Animal Rescue's funding comes from foundation grants, adoption fees, and individual public donations. The organization is at 2407 E. 9th Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001, and can be reached at 307-514-4024. 

Campbell County Animal Control

The Campbell County Government's animal control officers handle a range of animal-related matters in the community. These matters include dog bites, abandoned animals, and cases of animal abuse, neglect, or cruelty. They offer refuge to any animal that has been abandoned, roaming, or confiscated. Additionally, they seize animals who have bitten people or dogs that are deemed dangerous. These officers can be reached at 307-682-7271 or its office at 950 W Warlow Drive, P.O. Box 518, Gillette, WY 82717.