Seattle’s 8-Foot Leash Rule: What Dog Owners Should Know
Seattle treats a dog as "at large" if it isn't on a leash 8 feet or shorter. Here's how retractable leashes catch owners off guard.
Liability & Law
Washington’s strict liability standard, who qualifies as an “owner,” and where the law gets complicated.
10 posts
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Washington Dog Bite Claim?
Most Washington dog bite claims must be filed within three years (RCW 4.16.080(2)). Children's deadlines are tolled under RCW 4.16.190. Here's what that means.
Is There a “One Free Bite” Rule in Washington?
Washington abolished the "one free bite" defense. Under RCW 16.08.040, a dog's clean history doesn't shield the owner from liability for the first bite.
Bites @ Breweries: Who’s Liable?
A dog bite at a Seattle taproom can mean claims against both the owner and the business. Here's how strict liability and premises liability stack up.
Washington’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law, Explained
Washington's strict liability statute holds dog owners responsible for bites regardless of the dog's history. Here's what RCW 16.08.040 requires and what it doesn't.
Does a Dog Owner Have to Pay My Medical Bills in Seattle?
Under RCW 16.08.040, Seattle dog owners are liable for bite injuries — but recovery runs through insurance, and the early "MedPay trap" can cost you your claim.
What Everett Dog Attacks Reveal About Off-Leash Liability and Owner Accountability
Dog attacks in Everett and throughout Snohomish County follow a pattern that attorneys who handle Washington injury cases…
The Landlord Question: When Can You Hold a Property Owner Responsible After a Tenant’s Dog Attack?
Landlords aren't automatically liable for a tenant's dog in Washington. Here's the narrow legal path where a property owner can still be held responsible.
Rover, Wag, and the Question of Who Is Actually Responsible When a Dog Walker’s Charge Bites Someone
When a Rover or Wag dog bites someone, Washington law usually still points to the owner — but the insurance issues get complicated fast.
Provocation Defense: What Washington Dog Bite Attorneys Actually See in Court
Washington's provocation defense rarely succeeds in court. Here's what the law actually requires — and why most bite victims have less to worry about than they think.