Landlord Liability For Tenant Dog Attacks

February 16, 2026 | Posted in Uncategorized

You’ve been bitten by a tenant’s dog at a rental property. Now you’re wondering whether you can hold the landlord accountable, not just the person who owns the animal. It depends. The answer hinges on what the landlord knew and what they did about it.

When Landlords Can Be Held Responsible

Oklahoma law puts primary responsibility on the dog’s owner, that’s straightforward, but landlords aren’t automatically in the clear just because they don’t own the animal. Property owners can face liability when specific conditions exist. A landlord may be responsible if they:

• Knew the tenant’s dog had a history of aggressive behavior or previous bites
• Had the authority to remove the dog from the property, but didn’t act
• Allowed a tenant to keep a dog that violated the lease terms prohibiting certain breeds
• Maintained control over common areas where the attack occurred

Knowledge is the key factor here. If a landlord receives complaints about a dangerous dog and does nothing, they may share responsibility when someone gets hurt.

The Role Of Lease Agreements

Most rental agreements include pet policies. These outline rules for keeping animals on the property, and they matter more than you might think. When landlords enforce these policies selectively or ignore violations outright, they’re creating liability exposure for themselves. Let’s say a lease prohibits dogs over 50 pounds. The landlord knows a tenant keeps a large dog with aggressive tendencies, but doesn’t enforce the rule. That landlord has now assumed some responsibility for the risks associated with that animal. Similarly, landlords who collect pet deposits or pet rent acknowledge their role in permitting the animal on the premises. They can’t have it both ways.

Common Area Attacks And Premises Liability

Dog attacks in common areas raise different questions. We’re talking about hallways, parking lots, shared yards. Landlords typically maintain control over these spaces, and they’ve got a duty to keep them reasonably safe. If a landlord knows a tenant’s dog frequently roams common areas without restraint and someone gets bitten there, the property owner’s negligence becomes hard to dispute. A Sand Springs dog bite lawyer can evaluate whether premises liability claims apply to your situation.

Previous Incidents And Notice

Documentation matters. Written notices to property management about aggressive behavior, previous bite reports to animal control, and complaints from other tenants. All of this establishes that a landlord had notice of the danger. Without proof that the landlord knew about the dog’s dangerous propensities, holding them liable becomes much more difficult. This is why reporting concerning behavior to property management in writing is so important. Don’t just mention it in passing. Put it in an email or letter.

Insurance Coverage Considerations

Many landlords carry liability insurance that may cover dog bite injuries on their property. But these policies often contain specific exclusions for certain dog breeds or situations where the landlord had prior knowledge of dangerous animals. Tenants typically carry renters insurance too. It may include liability coverage for their pets. In serious injury cases, you might need to pursue claims against both the tenant’s and landlord’s insurance policies to obtain full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Building Your Case Against A Landlord

Proving landlord liability requires specific evidence. You’ll need to demonstrate that the property owner had actual knowledge of the dog’s dangerous nature and the ability to take action, but failed to do so. What counts as important evidence? Written complaints to the landlord. Photographs of the dog in common areas. Witness statements from neighbors about the dog’s behavior. Animal control reports. The lease agreement has its pet provisions. All of it.

Determining whether a landlord shares responsibility for a tenant’s dog attack involves analyzing multiple factors specific to your case. Wandres Law Injury and Accident Attorneys has experience handling complex dog bite claims where liability extends beyond the animal’s owner.

Getting Legal Help

Don’t assume the landlord bears no responsibility just because they didn’t own the dog. That’s not how Oklahoma law works. A Sand Springs dog bite lawyer can investigate the circumstances of your attack and identify all potentially liable parties to help you recover the compensation you deserve.