Arizona Dog Bite FAQs
Arizona is one of the better states in the country to bring a dog-bite claim — but it also has one of the shortest deadlines. Here is what matters most.
Does the dog have to have bitten someone before?
No. Arizona applies strict liability, so an owner can be responsible for a first bite when you were lawfully somewhere you were allowed to be. You do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Read more →
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Arizona?
One year for the strict-liability claim — not two. That is the single most important thing on this page, because a claim that would otherwise be strong can expire while someone is still treating. Read more →
Why do I keep reading that it is two years?
Two years is Arizona's general injury deadline, and a separate negligence-based dog-bite theory may run on it. The strict-liability claim — usually the stronger one — does not. Treat a bite as a one-year case. Read more →
The owner says I provoked the dog.
Provocation is a recognized defense in Arizona, but it is narrower than owners assume and is a question of fact. Being near a dog, or startling one accidentally, is not the same as provoking it. Read more →
Who actually pays for a dog bite claim?
Usually the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance rather than the owner personally, which is why pursuing a claim rarely means going after a neighbor's savings. Read more →
My child was bitten. Is that different?
Yes. Children are bitten in the face and head more often, provocation arguments are weaker against a young child, and a settlement for a minor generally needs court approval. Read more →
Is scarring worth compensation?
Yes. Permanent scarring and disfigurement are compensable, and Arizona places no cap on those damages. Read more →
What does a dog bite lawyer cost in Arizona?
Nothing up front — contingency fee, free review. Given the one-year deadline, the free review is worth having early. Read more →
Still have questions about your crash?
A quick, confidential review can answer them — about two minutes, no cost, no obligation.