#130 - Mike Agruss: A Nuanced Approach to Dog Bite Advocacy

Content Warning: This episode does include discussion of dog bites. When a dog bite happens, emotions run high—fear, guilt, anger, confusion. In today’s episode, host Emily Strong is joined by Mark Agruss, a personal injury attorney out of Illinois. For over two decades, attorney Mike Agruss has stood beside clients navigating those stressful moments, advocating not just for their rights, but for a fair and nuanced approach that considers both people and dogs. In this conversation, Mike shares how his own dog bite experience shaped his empathetic yet effective legal work, why insurance is a critical but often overlooked safety net, and the simple steps that can prevent life-changing incidents. We dig into dog bite statistics, what they do—and don’t —tell us, common misunderstandings about “dangerous breeds,” and the intersection of legal advocacy, prevention, and responsible pet guardianship. If you live with dogs, work with dogs, or love dogs, this episode will shift the way you think about safety, liability, and advocacy. TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways 1️⃣ Insurance is non-negotiable – Whether you own or rent, make sure your policy covers dog bites. It’s an inexpensive safeguard that can prevent devastating financial fallout. 2️⃣ Prevention is powerful – Simple management strategies—like giving dogs a quiet space away from parties or teaching kids respectful interactions—can stop most bites before they happen. 3️⃣ Dog bite cases are about insurance, not revenge – Pursuing a claim doesn’t mean targeting the dog or its owner; it’s about accessing the coverage that exists to help everyone move forward. For the full episode show notes, including the resources mentioned in this episode, go here . More from Pet Harmony Pet Parents: enrichment ideas and practical behavior tips 📸 Instagram & Facebook: @petharmonytraining Pet Pros: relatable moments and support for your work with pets and their people 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @petharmonypro 📬 Sign up for our weekly newsletter : https://petharmonytraining.com/join/ Subscribe & Review If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe and review. It helps more pet parents and pros find us—and makes our tails wag every time. Thanks for being here! 💛