Missouri Dog Bite Laws

Missouri 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.

Missouri dog bite law at a glance

What Missouri law says

• RSMo 273.036 covers bites on public property or where the victim is lawfully on private property.
• Prior viciousness and the owner's knowledge are irrelevant.
• Damages are reduced by the victim's percentage of fault.
• Owners are also strictly liable for damage to property or livestock.

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 Missouri

• Missouri has no general statewide dangerous dog designation in chapter 273; keeping a dangerous dog is addressed in the cruelty chapter (578.024).
• Cities and counties regulate dangerous dogs by ordinance.

Deadline to file a claim

Justia's 50-state survey lists 5 years as the general personal injury deadline (statute of limitations) in Missouri. 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

1. Get medical care, even for a small puncture; bites can become infected.
2. Get the owner's name, contact details and the dog's rabies vaccination status.
3. Report the bite to local animal control or the health department; many places require it so the dog can be observed for rabies.
4. Photograph the injuries and the location, and write down witness names.
5. 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 Missouri leash laws.

Sources

1. Michigan State University Animal Legal & Historical Center: Missouri dog laws
2. Justia: Dog bite laws, 50-state survey
3. Michigan State University Animal Legal & Historical Center: Dog bite strict liability statutes