Dog Bites on Commercial Property or Businesses

Understanding Dog Bite Incidents in Commercial Settings

Dog bites can happen anywhere—but when they occur on business or commercial property, the legal landscape becomes more complicated. Whether you were bitten in a retail store, veterinary clinic, office building, hotel, restaurant, or on the grounds of a shopping center, Tennessee law provides avenues for holding owners, handlers, and business operators accountable. These claims often involve premises liability, statutory obligations, and negligence—all of which may apply depending on where and how the incident occurred.

At the Law Offices of John Day, P.C., we help dog bite victims across Brentwood, Nashville, Murfreesboro, and throughout Middle Tennessee pursue full compensation when injured on commercial property. If you were attacked by a dog while lawfully on a business premises, you may have the right to seek damages not only from the dog’s owner but from the business itself or other responsible parties.

Legal Duties of Businesses Under Tennessee Law

In Tennessee, the primary statute governing dog bites is Tennessee Code Annotated § 44-8-413, which imposes strict liability on dog owners under certain conditions. Specifically, if a dog attacks a person who is in a public place or lawfully on private property—and the victim did not provoke the dog—the owner is responsible for any injuries caused. This statute applies broadly, including incidents on commercial property where the victim was legally present as a customer, contractor, guest, or visitor.

However, strict liability under § 44-8-413 applies only to the dog’s owner. In commercial settings, the person or business that controls the premises may also owe a duty to maintain safe conditions under a separate body of law known as premises liability. Businesses have a duty to exercise reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm to invitees—those lawfully on the premises for business purposes.

This duty includes protecting customers and guests from known dangers or hazards the business should reasonably discover. If a business allows a dog with a known history of aggression to remain on-site, or if it permits a pet-friendly policy without enforcing proper safety measures, it could be considered negligent if an attack occurs.

Common Scenarios Involving Commercial Property Dog Bites

Dog bites on commercial property can occur in a wide range of settings. Each situation raises unique legal questions depending on who owned the dog, who had control of the premises, and what steps were (or were not) taken to prevent the injury.

Retail Stores and Pet-Friendly Businesses
Many retail businesses allow dogs inside their stores or on their patios. Grocery stores, home improvement chains, clothing stores, and boutiques may promote pet-friendly policies to attract customers. If a dog attacks another customer while inside a store, the business may be held liable under negligence or premises liability theories—especially if there were no leash requirements or the dog had shown previous signs of aggression.

Veterinary Clinics, Boarding Facilities, and Groomers
While these businesses often have custody of animals as part of their service, they still owe a duty of care to patrons, employees, and visitors. A veterinary practice or kennel that fails to restrain a known aggressive dog may be liable for resulting injuries. If staff members fail to properly secure a dog during handling, or ignore warnings from owners about a dog’s temperament, both the handler and the business entity could face legal action.

Restaurants and Breweries with Outdoor Seating
Dog-friendly restaurants and bars are increasingly common, particularly in urban and suburban areas like Nashville. These businesses often allow dogs on patios or outdoor areas. If a business promotes itself as dog-friendly, it must take steps to ensure the safety of all patrons. Liability may arise if an owner fails to supervise their dog, or if the establishment lacks appropriate rules for leashing, distancing, or aggressive behavior.

Apartment Complexes and Multi-Use Developments
In mixed-use developments, where businesses operate alongside residential units, a dog bite in a shared or commercial area can involve both the tenant and the property manager. If a leasing office allows a known-dangerous dog into common spaces, or if a bite occurs in a public hallway or commercial lobby, the entity managing the property may face liability under Tennessee premises liability law.

Workplaces and Office Buildings
Some office environments allow employees to bring dogs to work. While such policies may boost morale, they also create liability risks. Employers or building owners may be liable if they allow dogs with prior incidents of aggression to be present, especially in areas accessible to clients, contractors, or other visitors.

The Role of Foreseeability and Prior Knowledge

One of the central issues in dog bite claims involving commercial property is whether the business or property owner knew—or should have known—that the dog posed a risk. Under Tennessee law, foreseeability is a key element in negligence. Courts will examine whether a reasonable business should have taken precautions, such as banning the animal, requiring leashes, posting warning signs, or separating customers from dogs in tight spaces.

Prior incidents of aggression, animal control complaints, staff knowledge of the dog’s behavior, or even customer complaints may all be used to demonstrate that the business knew the dog was dangerous. Tennessee courts have emphasized that foreseeability does not require an identical previous incident—only that a reasonable person could anticipate the risk based on available information.

How Premises Liability Applies

Business owners and occupiers owe a duty of reasonable care to invitees on their premises. This includes a duty to remedy or warn of dangerous conditions that are either known to the owner or should have been discovered through reasonable inspection. If a business allows dogs on the property, those animals are part of the environment that must be managed for safety.

If a dog’s presence creates a hazardous condition—due to lack of control, prior bites, or known aggression—the business may be liable for failing to take corrective action. The legal duty may include requiring muzzles or leashes, banning specific breeds, excluding dogs with known incidents of biting, or informing patrons of animal policies. Failure to implement such safety measures can support a claim for damages.

Shared Liability in Commercial Dog Bite Cases

Dog bite cases on commercial property often involve multiple potentially liable parties. Tennessee’s modified comparative fault system (T.C.A. § 20-1-119 and related provisions) allows a plaintiff to sue more than one defendant and permits a jury to apportion fault among all responsible parties. A dog’s owner, the business operator, and even a third-party contractor (such as a security firm) may each bear a percentage of liability.

If the injured person is found to be less than 50 percent at fault, they may still recover damages, though the amount will be reduced by their assigned share of fault. If they are 50 percent or more at fault, they cannot recover. For example, if a customer approached a dog after being warned and ignored signs posted by the business, their recovery may be reduced. However, such determinations depend heavily on the facts and must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

What Types of Damages Are Recoverable?

Victims injured by dog bites on commercial property may recover a wide range of damages under Tennessee law. These include:

• Emergency room and hospital bills
  
• Plastic or reconstructive surgery
  
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
  
• Lost income or reduced earning capacity
  
• Pain and suffering
  
• Mental anguish or emotional distress
  
• Permanent disfigurement or scarring
  
• Costs of future medical treatment
  
• Punitive damages in cases of reckless or egregious conduct
  

These injuries may involve deep puncture wounds, infections, nerve damage, broken bones from being knocked down, or psychological trauma. Children and elderly victims may experience heightened harm due to their vulnerability. We work with medical and economic experts to ensure damages are fully documented.

Real-World Example: Bite at a Pet-Friendly Brewery

One case our office handled involved a woman who was bitten at a popular brewery with a pet-friendly outdoor patio. Although the dog had never bitten anyone before, it had shown signs of aggression at prior visits—lunging at other dogs and growling at patrons. Several customers had reported the dog’s behavior to the staff, but the business took no action. When the dog later bit a customer seated nearby, the brewery attempted to disclaim responsibility.

Our team uncovered witness statements and internal messages confirming the brewery knew about the issue. We filed suit against the dog’s owner and the business, asserting negligence and premises liability. Ultimately, the client recovered compensation that covered her medical bills, plastic surgery, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

What to Do If You Are Bitten on Business Property

If you’ve been bitten by a dog on commercial property, your health and safety come first. Seek medical attention immediately, even for bites that seem minor. Document the injury by taking photographs and keeping all treatment records. If possible, get the names of the dog’s owner, any employees who witnessed the incident, and other patrons who saw what happened.

Report the incident to management and request a written incident report. If local animal control responds, ask for a copy of their findings. Then, contact a qualified personal injury attorney. Dog bite cases involving businesses can become complex very quickly. Early legal intervention allows us to preserve surveillance footage, obtain witness interviews, and demand records that may prove critical to your claim.

Why Choose the Law Offices of John Day, P.C.?

Our firm has represented dog bite victims across Tennessee for decades. Led by John Day, author of Day on Torts: Leading Cases in Tennessee Tort Law, we are one of the most respected personal injury law firms in the state. Our attorneys are recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association. We are dedicated to representing injury victims with integrity, thoroughness, and compassion.

We understand that being bitten by a dog in a public or commercial setting is not only physically painful but emotionally upsetting. You may be worried about who is responsible, whether you will be blamed, or how you will pay your medical bills. We are here to answer your questions, explain your rights under Tennessee law, and aggressively pursue your case.

Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog on commercial property or at a business location, you may be entitled to compensation. These cases often involve more than just the dog’s owner and require a thorough investigation into business practices, staff conduct, and premises management.

Call the Law Offices of John Day, P.C. today at (615) 742-4880 to schedule your free consultation. We serve clients throughout Brentwood, Nashville, Murfreesboro, and Davidson County. There is no fee unless we recover money for you. Let us put our experience and resources to work for you.