An off-leash dog bites the leg of a 62-year-old in Schwandorf!

An off-leash dog bites the leg of a 62-year-old in Schwandorf!

A disturbing incident occurred on Tuesday, January 14, 2026, in Schwandorf. At around 4:30 p.m., a 62-year-old woman was walking with her dog in a green area on Senefelderstrasse when an off-leash dog attacked her and bit her on the leg. The attacking dog belongs to a 39-year-old man from Schwandorf, who also lives in the area.

The situation initially seemed harmless until the man's dog, which was off-leash, attacked the woman's dog. In an effort to protect her own dog, the woman placed herself protectively between the two animals and then allowed the other dog to bite her. Fortunately, the Schwandorf police station recorded the incident in its press report and was officially informed.

The legal framework

There are over 12 million dogs living in Germany, and while most are loyal, they can become aggressive in certain situations. There are around 28,000 bite injuries every year, with a shocking proportion of victims being young people, including many children under the age of six. In principle, dog owners are liable for the actions of their four-legged friends, which means that they are obliged to pay compensation in the event of a bite. This is often covered by dog ​​liability insurance, as Fachanwalt.de reports.

In the case of injuries caused by dogs, it is important to act quickly: the person affected should immediately consult a doctor, note the details of the dog owner and the insurance company and, in the event of more serious injuries, inform the police. The amount of compensation can vary depending on the severity of the injury and any permanent damage and is regulated in the German Civil Code (Section 253 Paragraph 2 BGB). But as is often the case, individual circumstances are crucial to the outcome of such a case.

Consequences of the incident

Incidents like the one in Schwandorf clearly show that the responsibility of a dog owner is far-reaching. In many federal states, dog liability insurance is even mandatory to cover the financial consequences of such an incident. The insurance can cover both the treatment costs for injuries and possible claims for compensation for pain and suffering, which can provide significant relief for the injured party.

After the incident became known, the 62-year-old woman should seek legal advice as soon as possible in order to pursue potential claims for damages if the dog owner is not prepared to fulfill his obligations. Legal protection insurance can often provide support in such cases and legal aid can be applied for for low-income earners.

It remains to be hoped that such incidents will be avoided in the future and that both dog owners and pedestrians will adopt a responsible attitude towards animals. In any case, it shows how important it is to keep dogs on a leash in public spaces to minimize potential dangers and ensure everyone's safety.