Bite History
What Is a Bite History?
A bite history is a record that a pet has bitten a person or another animal before. It doesn’t make a pet “bad”, it’s just a way for pet professionals and insurers to understand behavior, manage risk, and keep everyone safe.
Think of it like a doggie behavior report card. It shows what happened, how it was handled, and what’s changed since.
Why It Matters for You
Pet Care Insurance (PCI) excludes coverage for individual dogs with a documented history of aggression or biting. This doesn’t apply to any breed as a whole (we don’t believe any dog is “aggressive by nature”). The goal is to help pet pros stay safe and manage risk.
Here’s why getting a dog bite history from your clients matters:
- Sets safe boundaries: Understanding behavior patterns helps you make informed decisions about the jobs you accept or services you feel comfortable providing
- Shapes safety protocols: If you choose to care for a dog with a past incident, knowing their background helps you plan handler ratios, use the proper safety equipment, and have important conversations about liability with clients
- Leads to better claim outcomes: Clear documentation shows you took reasonable steps to manage known risks, which is crucial if an incident happens later
- Keeps business running smoothly: Honest screening helps you accept the right pets for your business and avoid surprises
- Builds client trust: Discussing safety openly shows professionalism and care, not fear
Why Do Insurers Ask About Dog Bite History?
Insurers review bite history to understand how recent, serious, and well-managed past incidents with an individual dog were. This is not about “yes or no” answers. We get that a lot of factors affect why a pet might bite and whether they really are a risk to your safety and others’.
| Factor | What It Tells Your Insurer |
|---|---|
|
When it happened |
Recent bites carry more weight than old, isolated incidents |
|
Who/what was bitten |
Human vs animal and the severity of the injury or treatment (for example, a nip isn’t treated the same as a serious bite) |
|
Context |
Whether it was provoked or unprovoked, on- or off-leash, and on-site or in transit |
|
Aftercare |
Training completed, behavior plan, muzzle use, or equipment changes |
|
Safety measures |
Your sincere effort to minimize risk with proper handler ratio, route planning, separate zones, or client disclosures |
Pro tip: Some landlords and public event locations like parks may ask about bite history before approving your insurance or use of their facilities. Knowing the history of the animals in your care is part of showing that you manage risks responsibly.
How Pet Pros Should Handle Bite Histories
Here are some tips for having dog bite history discussions and documenting behavior professionally:
- Get it in writing: Ask clients for a written disclosure describing what happened.
- Record supporting info: Include vaccination status and vet records if relevant.
- Document safety measures: Note agreed-upon steps, like using muzzles or establishing separate play zones.
- Update your service agreement: Add bite history and “hold harmless” language to your contract (it helps to have an attorney look this over). This can reduce your risk of being responsible for paying if an animal in your care bites someone.
- Keep detailed logs: Record each appointment, note any behavioral changes, and complete incident reports if something new happens.
- Communicate calmly: Stay factual, not emotional, if there’s an incident. Being prepared with the right paperwork and a plan ahead of time helps you stay focused and professional in the moment.
Pro tip: PCI’s downloadable Pet Care Liability Waiver Template offers an example of how to document dog bite history in writing. You can find it free on your user dashboard homepage. When you create your own waiver, make sure to review your local rules. An attorney can help you get the right wording to fit your business, your insurance, and state laws.
Big Takeaway
While PCI can’t insure individual dogs with a history of aggression or bites, we believe every pet deserves fair consideration and a safe, well-prepared caregiver. It’s about awareness, not blame.
A bite history provides a framework for good documentation, open communication, and clear safety steps that keeps you, pets in your care, and your business protected.
Keep Sniffing Around
- General Liability
- Animal Bailee Coverage
- Professional Liability
- Exclusion
- Incident Report
- Indemnification
Kyle Jude | Program Manager
Kyle Jude is the Program Manager for Pet Care Insurance. As a dedicated program manager with 10+ years of experience in the insurance industry, Kyle offers insight into different coverages for small business owners who are looking to navigate business liability insurance.
Kyle Jude is the Program Manager for Pet Care Insurance. As a dedicated program manager with 10+ years of experience in the insurance industry, Kyle offers insight into different coverages for small business owners who are looking to navigate business liability insurance.