25/03/2025
The Cost of Training and Going to Court – A Breakdown of Expenses 💰⚖️
If your rescue dog bites someone or another dog, the financial fallout can be devastating. 💸 Many adopters think they can handle issues on their own—until they find themselves in a legal battle they never saw coming.
Between training, lawyer fees, and potential damages, dealing with a dog bite case can easily cost thousands of dollars. 📉
Let’s break down the real expenses involved.
🐕 Training Costs – The First Line of Defense
If your dog shows aggression, training is often the first (and best) step to prevent further issues. But effective training isn’t cheap. 💵
Initial Behavior Assessment – $325+ for a one-time evaluation 📝
Private Training Sessions – $150–$300 per session (multiple sessions required) 🏫
Board & Train Programs – $3,500–$8,000 for 2–4 weeks of intensive correction 🏕️
Court-Ordered Training – $1,500–$5,000 (if mandated by the court) ⚖️
Behavioral Equipment (Muzzles, Crates, Fencing, Signage, etc.) – $200–$1,000 🚧🐶
💰 Total Estimated Training Costs: $500 – $10,000+
⚖️ Legal Costs – What Happens When You Go to Court?
Once a bite case enters the legal system, costs skyrocket. 📈 You may need a criminal defense attorney and a civil attorney if you're sued.
📌 Criminal Court Costs (Negligence & Dangerous Dog Designation)
👨⚖️ Attorney Fees – $3,000–$10,000+
🏛️ Court Fees & Fines – $500–$5,000
🚨 Quarantine Costs (If Dog Isn’t Vaccinated) – $500–$2,000
📌 Civil Court Costs (Victim Lawsuits & Damages)
📑 Civil Attorney Fees – $5,000–$15,000
💵 Victim Damages (Medical, Therapy, Lost Wages, Pain & Suffering, Property Damage) – $10,000–$100,000+
⚠️ Total Estimated Legal Costs: $8,000 – $100,000+
📊 Final Cost Breakdown
Expense Estimated Cost Range 💰
🏫 Training (Initial & Court-Ordered) $500 – $10,000+
⚖️ Criminal Attorney Fees $3,000 – $10,000+
🏛️ Criminal Court Fees & Fines $500 – $5,000
🚨 Quarantine Costs $500 – $2,000
📑 Civil Attorney Fees $5,000 – $15,000
💵 Civil Damages & Settlements $10,000 – $100,000+
🏡 Home Modifications & Equipment $200 – $1,000
💼 Lost Wages & Additional Costs Varies
💸 Total Estimated Cost: $8,000 – $100,000+
📢 The Takeaway
Rescue contracts make you responsible for everything, yet none of this burden is borne by the rescue. 🤷♂️
💡 If you adopt a dog, understand the risks. Are you financially prepared for the possibility of a bite case? Because once it happens, you can’t go back.