Rhode Island Dog Bite Laws: Owner Liability and Deadlines

Rhode Island has a dog bite statute, but it only covers certain situations; other cases follow traditional common-law rules.

Rhode Island dog bite law at a glance

Question	Answer
Type of rule	Strict liability outside the owner's enclosure
Main statute	R.I. Gen. Laws 4-13-16
Repeat incident	Double damages; dog may be destroyed
Filing deadline	3 years (Justia)

What Rhode Island law says

4-13-16 covers bites outside the owner's enclosure or on a highway.
Ignoring a court order to confine the dog can lead to triple damages for later injuries (4-13-19).
Anyone harboring a dog is liable as if they owned it (4-13-17).

Strict liability vs. the one-bite rule

The statute imposes liability only in the situations it lists. Outside those situations, injured people rely on the common law: showing the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous (the "one-bite" rule) or that the owner was negligent.

Dangerous dog rules in Rhode Island

A vicious dog approaches people in an attacking manner, has a known tendency to attack, or bites without provocation (4-13.1-2).
Vicious dogs must be kept in a locked enclosure at least 6 feet high, secure on all sides, top and bottom.
Exceptions apply when the victim was trespassing, teasing or committing a crime.

Deadline to file a claim

Justia's 50-state survey lists 3 years as the general personal injury deadline (statute of limitations) in Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island Dog Bite Laws