My dog bit someone: the legal procedure, step by step
First, breathe: what this does not mean
You may feel responsible, or terrified at the thought of what comes next. One isolated aggressive reaction does not make your dog an aggressive dog. In the vast majority of cases, a bite is born of fear or a situation that boiled over, not of any deep-seated nastiness. It is rarely a bolt from the blue: micro-signals were almost certainly going unnoticed beforehand. Understanding the trigger is far more worthwhile than punishing yourself.
Before blaming his "temperament": a dog who bites "for no reason" often has a reason, and pain is frequently part of it. A vet visit to rule out a health problem is a genuine first step, not a waste of time.
The legal procedure, in order
Five steps that apply to any dog who bites a person, from the smallest to the largest, categorised or not.
Look after the victim first of all
Care comes first, responsibility comes afterwards. The person who was bitten sees a doctor.
Declare the bite to the town hall
It is an obligation for the owner, and for any professional who is aware of it (vet, trainer). The process is free.
Begin the veterinary health monitoring
Fifteen days under "biting dog" monitoring, with three visits to the same vet: within 24 hours, then by the 7th day at the latest, and finally on the 15th day.
Have the behavioural assessment carried out
By a vet listed for your département. It takes place during the monitoring period and its conclusions are passed on to the mayor.
Follow what the town hall asks of you
The mayor may ask you to take a 7-hour course and obtain the certificate of aptitude (attestation d'aptitude). Responding to this shows your good faith and protects your dog.
This monitoring targets rabies, it is not a punishment. It applies even to a dog whose vaccinations are perfectly up to date, and he is not vaccinated against rabies during these fifteen days. It is a safety net for everyone.
What to gather so you can move through the procedures with peace of mind.
0 / 5No, euthanasia is not the default answer
It is the number one fear, and the answer is clear: a dog who has bitten is not euthanised automatically. The behavioural assessment ranks the dog on a risk scale; even at the highest level, the vet only advises a rehoming or, as an absolute last resort, euthanasia, then passes the conclusions on to the mayor. Only the mayor can decide, through his policing powers, and only in serious, tightly regulated cases. A high risk level is not a death sentence: it is the signal that real work is beginning, with a behavioural vet and a trainer.
And what if my dog bit another dog?
In the moment: separate them without getting bitten
- Never put your hands or face between the two dogs, and do not grab collars or tails: the bite almost always gets redirected onto you.
- Interrupt from a distance: a loud noise, plenty of water (a bucket, a hose), a jacket thrown over their heads to break the visual.
- With two people, the wheelbarrow method: each person lifts one dog's hindquarters by the back legs and steps backwards while turning.
- On your own, slide a large, rigid object between them: a board, a lid, a chair.
Just after: let the pressure come down
- Separate the dogs into two spaces, door closed, while the adrenaline subsides.
- Do not handle them straight away: a dog still wound up can redirect his bite.
- Then check them over calmly, and head to the vet.
On the paperwork side
- Swap your contact and insurance details with the other owner.
- Your civil liability (responsabilité civile, often included in your home insurance) generally covers the damage caused to the other dog.
- If a person was also injured, the town hall declaration procedure applies.
You are not alone for what comes next
What you can handle yourself
- Declaring the bite to the town hall and arranging the veterinary monitoring.
- Making the home safe: teaching the muzzle gently, anticipating risky situations.
- Gathering the documents and notifying your insurer.
What calls for a professional, without delay
- Understanding why he bit and preventing a repeat: work for a behavioural vet and a trainer.
- An entrenched fear-based bite, a repeat, or a child in the household: get support quickly.
- Ruling out pain or a health problem that lowers his threshold: the vet first.
- Code rural et de la pêche maritime, art. L211-14-2 and L211-11 ("biting dog" obligations), Légifrance
- Decree of 21 April 1997 on the monitoring of biting animals (rabies framework), Légifrance (1997)
- Category 1 or 2 dog, factsheet F1839, service-public.fr
- Reisner et al. — Behavioral characteristics associated with dog bites to children presenting to a veterinary behavioral clinic (2011)
- AVSAB — Position Statement on the Use of Punishment for Behavior Modification in Animals (2021)
- Bite wounds in dogs and cats (infection, Pasteurella), Merck Veterinary Manual
Frequently asked questions
Does a dog who has bitten have to be euthanised?
No, it is not automatic. A bite triggers a path of assessment and support, not euthanasia as a matter of principle. Even at the highest risk level, the vet only advises: only the mayor can decide, in serious, tightly regulated cases. A high level is a signal to start work, not a death sentence.
What should I do if my dog bit someone?
The victim first: they see a doctor. Then you declare the bite to the town hall, your dog spends fifteen days under veterinary monitoring (three visits) and a behavioural assessment is carried out during that period. You are not alone: a vet and a trainer help you with what comes next.
How do I declare a dog bite to the town hall?
The declaration is made to the town hall of your place of residence, by you as the owner (any professional who is aware of it is also required to). The process is free and triggers the health monitoring and the behavioural assessment. It is not a punishment: it is what protects your dog and others.
My dog bit another dog, what should I do?
Separate the dogs without putting your hands between them, let the adrenaline subside, then have the injured dog examined by a vet (a bite wound does damage deep down). Swap your contact and insurance details with the other owner: your civil liability (responsabilité civile) generally covers the damage.
Is my dog at risk of being rehomed or taken away?
Only the mayor can order it, after the behavioural assessment and in regulated cases. Most of the time, it is enough to follow the requests (monitoring, sometimes a 7-hour course) and commit to serious work. Cooperating and showing your good faith is what best protects your dog.
How do I stop him biting again?
First rule out pain with the vet, as it lowers the tolerance threshold. Then deep work with a behavioural vet and a trainer: positive reinforcement and a marker word ("yes!"), never punishment, plus good management (a muzzle taught gently, risky situations anticipated).
How long does the veterinary monitoring of a biting dog last?
Fifteen days, with three visits to the same vet: within 24 hours, by the 7th day at the latest, then on the 15th day. It targets rabies and applies even to a dog whose vaccinations are up to date. He is not vaccinated against rabies during this period.
Finished this step?