Arizona Dog Bite Laws: Owner Liability and Deadlines

Arizona has a dog bite statute that makes owners liable without proof that they knew the dog was dangerous, subject to the defenses written into the law.

Arizona dog bite law at a glance

Question	Answer
Type of rule	Strict liability
Main statute	A.R.S. 11-1025
Defense	Provocation a reasonable person would expect to cause a bite (11-1027)
Filing deadline	1 year under the statute; 2 years for other claims (Justia)

What Arizona law says

A.R.S. 11-1025 makes owners liable for bites in public places or where the victim is lawfully on private property, including the owner's.
Prior viciousness and the owner's knowledge do not matter, and breed is not considered.
Provocation that would cause a reasonable person to expect a bite is a defense (11-1027).
Police and military dogs are exempt in specified situations.
An owner is also liable for injuries caused by a dog at large (11-1020).

Strict liability vs. the one-bite rule

Under a strict liability statute, the owner is responsible for the injury even if the dog never showed aggression before and the owner was careful. The victim does not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous; the main defenses are the ones written into the statute, such as provocation or trespassing.

Dangerous dog rules in Arizona

A.R.S. 11-1001(16) defines a vicious animal; vicious dogs may not run at large (11-1012(A)).
Owners of aggressive dogs must take reasonable care to prevent escape and keep control off the property; failing to control the dog off the property is a class 1 misdemeanor (11-1014.01).
A justice of the peace or magistrate can order euthanasia after a hearing (11-1014).

Deadline to file a claim

Justia's 50-state survey lists 1 year for claims under Arizona's strict liability bite statute and 2 years for other personal injury claims, such as negligence. The clock usually starts on the day of the bite. Different deadlines can apply to claims against a government agency or on behalf of a child, so confirm the deadline for your situation with a licensed attorney.

What to do after a dog bite

Get medical care, even for a small puncture; bites can become infected.
Get the owner's name, contact details and the dog's rabies vaccination status.
Report the bite to local animal control or the health department; many places require it so the dog can be observed for rabies.
Photograph the injuries and the location, and write down witness names.
Keep medical bills and records of missed work, and talk to an attorney before signing anything from an insurer.

If you own a dog that has bitten someone, follow any confinement order from animal control, keep the dog's rabies vaccination current, and consider working with a trainer or behaviorist. Leash rules are covered in Arizona leash laws.

Sources

This page summarizes state statutes for general information and is not legal advice. Laws change and cities and counties often add their own rules; check the current statute and your local ordinance, or ask a licensed attorney about your situation.

Arizona Dog Bite Laws