What Happens If Your Child Is Bitten by a Dog at a North Dakota Park?

You’re spending the afternoon at the park, maybe in Fargo, Bismarck, or one of the smaller towns that dot North Dakota. Your child is on the playground, laughing, running, not a care in the world. Then, out of nowhere, it happens.

A dog lunges. There’s a bark, maybe a scream, and suddenly, everything changes.

Dog bites are traumatic, especially when a child is involved. However, after the panic and pain, you’re left with questions: Who’s responsible? What should you do next? How can you make sure your child gets the care and compensation they need?

Let’s take it one step at a time.

Get medical care right away

Before anything else, your child needs to be treated. Even if the bite looks minor, dog saliva can carry bacteria that cause serious infections. And bites to the face, hands, or joints often require more than a bandage, sometimes stitches or even surgery.

If the skin is broken, head to urgent care or the ER. Don’t wait.

Make sure the medical provider documents everything: where it happened, when it happened, and the extent of the injuries. That medical record may later serve as important evidence if you pursue legal action.

Identify the dog and its owner

If you can, try to get the following information on the spot:

• The dog owner’s name and contact info
• The dog’s vaccination history, especially rabies
• A photo of the dog and the scene
• Names and contact information for any witnesses

In North Dakota, rabies vaccination is required by law, and the owner should be able to provide proof. If they can’t (or won’t), you may need to go through a rabies treatment series as a precaution, which isn’t pleasant or cheap.

Report the bite to authorities

Even if the injury seems manageable, you need to report the bite. North Dakota requires dog bites to be reported to local authorities, usually the police department or animal control.

This step is important for a few reasons:

• It creates an official record of the incident
• It helps locate the dog for observation (for rabies risk)
• It may identify past complaints or attacks by the same dog
• It makes sure your case is taken seriously if you pursue legal action

The report can also trigger an investigation into whether the dog was properly restrained and whether the owner followed local leash laws.

Understand North Dakota’s dog bite law

North Dakota doesn’t have a specific “dog bite statute” like some states. Instead, liability for dog bites is governed by general negligence law and a legal theory known as “scienter,” or the “one bite rule.”

Here’s what that means:

• If the owner knew or should have known that their dog had a tendency to bite or act aggressively, they can be held responsible.
• If the bite happened because of the owner’s negligence, like letting the dog run loose in a park, they may still be liable even without prior attacks.

And when the victim is a child, courts tend to hold dog owners to a higher standard. Children, after all, are unpredictable and so are dogs. If you bring a dog into a public space, you’re expected to control it.

Can you sue the dog owner?

Yes. If the dog owner was careless or knew their dog was dangerous, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim on your child’s behalf. You can seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Future treatment (both physical and psychological)

In some cases, homeowners’ insurance may cover the claim. Other times, the dog owner may have to pay out of pocket.

This is where an experienced dog bite lawyer can help. They’ll gather the evidence, deal with the insurance companies, and make sure your child’s injuries aren’t minimized or ignored.

What about bites in public parks?

Public spaces like parks raise some unique questions. In North Dakota, local ordinances typically require dogs to be on a leash at all times in public areas. However, that’s not always the case, so know the leash laws for your area. If the dog was roaming off-leash, this could be a sign of negligence.

But what if the dog was in a designated dog park and your child entered that area? Or what if the park’s fencing or signage was not enough?

Depending on the circumstances, liability could extend beyond the dog owner:

• The city or municipality may be liable if it failed to maintain safe conditions (think broken gates, unclear signage, or poor lighting)
• A third party, like a dog walker or pet sitter, may be responsible if they were in control of the dog
• Another parent could be partially responsible if they allowed a small child to approach a strange dog unsupervised

Every case is different, but the bottom line is this: just because you were in a public space doesn’t mean no one’s responsible. It all comes down to who was supposed to be in control and whether they failed to protect others.

Keep records and document everything

If you’re considering legal action, documentation is your best friend.

Here’s what to gather:

• Medical records, ER discharge notes, and follow-up visits
• Photos of your child’s injuries (immediately and during healing)
• Witness statements or contact info
• The official bite report from the city or police
• Correspondence with the dog owner or their insurer

You might also want to start a journal of how your child is doing, especially if there are lingering fears, nightmares, or behavior changes. These non-physical impacts matter, too.

Don’t wait to speak with a dog bite lawyer

Dog bite cases involving children can be emotionally overwhelming. It’s tempting to wait until the dust settles. But here’s the thing: the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to build a strong case.

Evidence gets lost, witnesses forget, and the insurance company might try to settle quickly, before the full impact of your child’s injuries is even known.

Talking to a dog bite lawyer doesn’t mean you’re suing right away. It just means you’re protecting your child’s rights and exploring your options.

At Larson Law, we take these cases seriously. We know how to handle sensitive claims involving children, and we know how to push back when insurers try to downplay the harm.

Helping you protect your family

A dog bite is more than a physical wound. It’s a trauma, especially for a child. The scars may fade, but the fear can linger.

If your child was bitten by a dog at a North Dakota park, you’re not just dealing with medical bills. You’re trying to navigate the legal system, protect your family, and make sure this doesn’t happen to someone else’s child.

You don’t have to do it alone. Contact Larson Law today to speak with experienced dog bite lawyers who understand North Dakota’s laws and local ordinances.