Wisconsin's dog bite statute imposes strict liability
against dog keepers/owners if their dog causes injury to another.
Wisconsin Stat. § 174.02(1) states:
(1) Liability for injury. (a) Without notice. Subject to s.
895.045 and except as provided in s 895.57(4), the owner of a dog
is liable for the full amount of damages caused by the dog injuring
or causing injury to a person, domestic animal or property.
An owner is generally liable regardless of measures taken to
prevent the harm. In addition, if the "bite" in question
involved "sufficient force to break the skin and cause
permanent physical scarring or disfigurement," an owner who
"was notified or knew that their dog previously injured or
caused injury to a person, domestic animal or property," will
be strictly liable for two times the amount of damages at issue.
Wis. Stat. § 174.02(1)(b). Given the strict liability standard
imposed and the potential for quasi-punitive damages, dog bite
cases can be difficult
