The Experienced Dog Bite Injury Attorneys at Ron Bell Fight to Protect Your Rights

Dog bite lawyers in New Mexico take the time to learn about your story, and how the incident surrounding your injury occurred. No matter the circumstances, these attorneys can help you understand your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve after a dog attack.

Dog bite attorneys in New Mexico can:

  • Help you file your claim.
  • Review your medical records after a dog bite.
  • Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
  • Help you understand your rights.
  • Help you calculate pain and suffering.
  • Conduct an investigation on the dog attack.
  • Interview potential witnesses to the dog attack.
  • Go to trial for you, if necessary.

Contact Ron Bell Injury Lawyers today for Your FREE Dog Bite Injury Case Evaluation

New Mexico Dog Bite Injury Lawyers You Can Trust

  • You Don’t Pay Until You GET Paid

    Hiring our team doesn’t cost you a penny, unless we get you a settlement or win your case and get YOU money.

  • We’re Here Every Step of the Way

    We’re ready to answer your questions to help you understand your rights as a personal injury victim.

  • Helping New Mexico Victims Since 1982

    Our team has served victims in Albuquerque, New Mexico for over 40 years, and we’re ready to help you.

You Don’t Pay Until You GET Paid

Hiring our team doesn’t cost you a penny, unless we get you a settlement or win your case and get YOU money.

We’re Here Every Step of the Way

We’re ready to answer your questions to help you understand your rights as a personal injury victim.

Helping New Mexico Victims Since 1982

Our team has served victims in Albuquerque, New Mexico for over 40 years, and we’re ready to help you.

Learn More About Dog Bite Injury

Different Levels of Dog Bites

New Mexico law doesn’t define a scale of dog bites; however, Dr. Ian Dunbar created a scale to help assess the severity of bites based on dog bite wounds. This scale is six levels and can ranges from a dog bearing its teeth to the death of the victim.

Level 1: Aggressive Behavior

A dog baring its teeth, acting obnoxious, or exhibiting aggressive behavior. In a Level 1 dog bite situation, the dog may snap at you, but no teeth-to-skin contact is made.

Level 2: Bite Occurred without Breaking Skin

A dog has made teeth-to-skin contact with a person, but no skin puncture has happened. In a Level 2 dog bite situation, you may bleed or have a scratch from the dog’s teeth, but there are no puncture wounds.

Level 3: 1-4 Puncture Wounds, No Deeper than Half the Length of the Dog’s Teeth

A dog’s teeth make contact and create puncture one to four puncture wounds that are less than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth. In cases where a victim pulls their hand away while the dog is biting, lacerations may be present.

Level 4: 1-4 Puncture Wounds, At Least One Puncture Deeper than Half the Length Dog’s Teeth

The dog’s teeth puncture the skin, and one or more of the puncture wounds is at least as deep as the dog’s canine teeth. Level 4 dog bites can include deep bruising around the broken skin or lacerations from the dog holding its bite or shaking its head.

Level 5: Multiple Bites with at Least Two Level-Four Bites

The dog has bitten more than once, with at least two of the bites reaching Level 4, or multiple dogs have bitten the victim, with at least one of the bites being a Level 4 bite.

Level 6: Victim Death

The bite has led to the death of the victim. The severity of the bite can change based on where the dog’s teeth created puncture wounds.

What to do After a Dog Bite

Get to Safety

Get away from the dog that is attacking in the safest way possible. Whether the owner restrains the dog or the dog runs away, do not take your eyes off the dog while you get to safety.

Assess the Wound

If the wound is bleeding, apply pressure and attempt to clean the wound. I the bleeding is persistent seek medical attention: either go to the emergency room or call 9-1-1.

Contact Animal Control/Report the Dog Bite

If you had a medical emergency with the dog bite, make sure the medical professionals contact the proper authorities.

If you witnessed or were a victim of a dog bite in New Mexico, report the aggressive dog to the City of Albuquerque by filling out this form.

Contact a Dog Bite Attorney in Albuquerque

Dog bites are traumatizing, but they can also cause permanent scarring and nerve damage. Injuries like these can lead to losses, including loss of wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. A dedicated dog bite injury lawyer can help you calculate your losses and determine fair compensation for your injury.

At Ron Bell Injury Lawyers, our experienced legal team will help you build your case, prove negligence of the dog owner, and get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.

Dog Bite Laws in New Mexico

In New Mexico, it’s against the law to “keep a dog known to be vicious. Thus, common law is the test of liability…” In most cases, New Mexico’s liability laws cover dog bite injury cases. This means that it is up to the victim (or plaintiff) to prove negligence of the owner in order to get recovery from injuries from a dog bite.

Why are Dog Bites So Dangerous?

Some dog’s jaws are capable of biting at 743 PSI (pounds per square inch). This amount of pressure can crush bones, and depending on the location of the bite, it could kill someone.

There are other elements that make a dog’s bite dangerous. Dog bites can easily become infected if wounds go untreated.

Articles About Dog Bites in New Mexico

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    Does Renters Insurance Cover Dog Bites in New Mexico?

    August 25, 2025

  • While your dog may be mild-tempered, there is still a chance he may bite. Here are a few ways to avoid dog bite injuries from your dog.

    5 Ways to Avoid Dog Bite Injuries

    February 25, 2025

  • Coronavirus Blog: Here’s What You Need to Know About Dog Bite Claims

    June 9, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bite Injuries

Nearly all dog bites are considered serious, as they reveal the aggressive nature of the animal that attacked. However, if you’ve been bitten by a dog, and it doesn’t seem that bad, it’s important to seek medical attention if the wounds become infected, or you start seeing sings of more severe injuries. For example, if you were bitten on the hand, you may experience tingling or loss of use in your fingers, you may be experiencing nerve damage. Contact your doctor to get the proper tests to ensure the dog bite didn’t lead to more serious injuries.

The owner of a dog who attacks a human in New Mexico can face third degree felony charges, especially if that owner knew that their dog had aggressive or dangerous tendencies.

While different factors are associated with dogs that bite (including training and treatment in the home), the top five breeds statistically known to be involved in attacks are pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds, Chihuahuas, and bully breeds.

Dog bites can be incredibly painful, even if they don’t break the skin. Dogs’ jaws are powerful, and bites can lead to permanent damage, depending on the location of the bite.

Dealing with trauma after a dog bite can be the same as dealing with any type of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Be sure to manage your symptoms by giving yourself coping mechanisms. Find your triggers and unpack what makes them triggers. Proper selfcare and mental health exercises are also important. Seek the help of a professional therapist with experience in PTSD and dog bite trauma.

According to Innovative Wound Care Specialists, bite wounds can “take up to 1 week to several months to heal and typically leave scarring.” Healing time may vary based on the severity of the wound and if it gets infected. Be sure to keep your wounds clean and seek medical attention if you don’t think they’re healing properly.

Level 1 and Level 2 dog bites make up 99% of dog bites, according to The Association of Professional Dog Trainers.