The Dunbar Bite Scale is often considered the standard for judging the severity levels of dog bites. This scale can play a role in your dog bite injury case. A San Diego dog bite lawyer may use this scale to determine how badly you were injured and what you should pursue in compensatory damages from a liable pet owner.
Below are details about each of the levels of Dr. Ian Dunbar’s Dog Bite Scale.
Level 1
This level of dog bite occurs when an animal acts aggressively without making contact with a victim. For example, a dog lunges at you, and you fall backward. In this situation, the dog may not have made any contact with you. However, you may suffer minor skin abrasions due to the animal’s actions.
Level 2
At Level 2, a dog makes contact with you but does not puncture your skin. This may happen if a dog nips at you or scratches you.
Level 3
You can experience a Level 3 bite if a dog punctures your skin in one to four places. Generally, this puncture may be no deeper than half the length of the animal’s teeth. If you pulled your hand away at the time of the dog attack, you may have lacerations in a single direction.
Level 4
Like a Level 3 bite, a Level 4 puncture may appear in up to four places. What sets a level 4 bite apart from others is that the puncture may be deeper than half the length of a dog’s teeth. In addition, you may notice deep bruising around the spot where the dog bit you. It is also possible that a dog bite leaves you with lacerations in both directions.
Level 5
At this point, you have suffered two or more Level 4 bites. Or you have been involved in multiple attacks and have experienced at least one Level 4 bite in each.
Level 6
A Level 6 dog bite is fatal or causes permanent disfigurement.
The Role of the Dunbar Dog Bite Scale
Veterinarians and animal behaviorists can use this scale to understand a dog’s aggression. The scale can help these professionals develop a training program specifically tailored to a dog’s behaviors.
For those who suffer a dog bite injury, a personal injury lawyer may incorporate the scale into their argument. They may utilize the scale in conjunction with medical records and photos of a dog bite victim’s injuries to highlight how badly this individual was hurt. Doing so may prompt the court to award compensatory damages for the victim’s medical bills and other losses.
Insurance companies may assess the scale as they decide how much money to offer a dog bite victim as part of a settlement. For example, a dog owner may have home or residential insurance that protects them financially if their pet attacks someone. Following an attack, the victim seeks compensation through an insurance claim. Next, the pet owner’s insurance carrier may rely on the scale to determine what is a reasonable settlement amount.
Alternatively, the dog bite victim’s lawyer may leverage the scale to prove to an insurance company that their client deserves compensation. The lawyer and their insurer may go back and forth as they negotiate a settlement. If no agreement is reached, the attorney may bring their client’s case to trial and use the scale to strengthen their argument.