Who’s Liable for Dog Bites in Illinois Pet-Friendly Shops?

 Posted on December 04, 2025 in Personal Injury

While most of us assume that dog bites happen in parks or neighborhoods, as more pets enter public retail spaces, dog bites and knock-down injuries inside stores are becoming more common. Shoppers tend to believe that if a store is "pet-friendly," it must have safety rules in place. Unfortunately, many Illinois stores allow dogs inside without enforcing leash rules, temperament requirements, or even capacity limits.  

The friendliest dog can become startled in tight quarters and snap at another shopper. In particular, pet-friendly stores can be hazardous for children who move quickly and are at or near the dog’s eye level. A calm dog at home can react very differently in a noisy, crowded retail environment where children rush to pet it. When an injury occurs, the victim of a dog bite can face confusing questions regarding whether the dog’s owner, the store, or both are liable for the injuries.

While Illinois dog bite laws (510 ILCS 5/16) impose strict liability on dog owners, this does not let stores off the hook. When retailers invite pets inside without proper controls in place, their own negligence may play a significant role in the resulting injuries to other shoppers. Understanding how liability works following a dog bite in a retail environment can help victims protect their rights and pursue full compensation. A highly skilled DuPage County personal injury lawyer can help you receive full damages for your dog bite injuries.   

Why Are Dog Bite Injuries in Illinois Stores Increasing?

More and more retail stores are implementing pet-friendly policies, even encouraging shoppers to bring their pets to hardware chains, home-goods stores, and other retail stores. Emotional-support and non-service animals add to the already high number of service dogs in stores. Unlike true service dogs, when people bring their pets into a store, there are no screening procedures and often a lack of training as well.

Illinois Imposes Strict Liability on Dog Owners

Strict liability for dog owners in the state means that when a dog bites without provocation, or attacks, bites, or injures someone who is lawfully in the place where the injury occurs, the owner is liable for the resulting damages. The victim is not required to show that the owner was negligent, and a prior bite history is irrelevant.

Owners are liable, period, unless the victim was actively provoking the dog. Provocation must be intentional and does not include simply walking past a dog, reaching to pick up an item near a dog, standing in line close to the dog due to crowding, or a child laughing or moving quickly near a dog.   

When the Store May Also Be Liable Following a Dog Bite

An Illinois retailer may share liability if they:

• Allow aggressive dogs (i.e., no store pet policies, or policies unenforced)
• Ignore warning signs of an aggressive dog (customer complaints, growling, or lunging)
• Create unsafe conditions for people and pets with overcrowded aisles, narrow walkways, or events encouraging high dog density (promotions or pet adoption days)
• Misrepresent the store as "safe" for dogs while lacking controls.

Why In-Store Bite Injuries Are More Difficult Than Outdoor Dog Bites

There are likely to be conflicting stories between the owner and the victim in an in-store dog incident, and store employees may consciously or unconsciously influence statements. Insurance disputes between the homeowners’ carrier and the store’s liability carrier are likely, along with questions about leash length, control, and foreseeability. Victims can potentially recover medical bills, plastic surgery expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent scarring, future medical expenses, and punitive damages in some cases.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

If you were bitten or knocked down by a dog inside an Illinois pet-friendly store, you could have a valid claim against the dog’s owner and the store. Consulting with an experienced Rock Island County, IL personal injury attorney from SpyratosDavis LLC is the best step you can take to protect your rights and your future. Our attorneys are highly focused on creating the best, smartest strategy for your unique situation. Call 630-810-8881 to schedule your initial attorney meeting.