One year, if you want to use Arizona's strict liability dog bite law. Claims under that statute count as "liability created by statute," and Arizona gives those only one year to file. A negligence claim against the owner has the usual two years, but it's harder to win, because you have to prove the owner was careless. That means someone who assumes "two years" may lose the easier claim without realizing it.
Arizona's dog bite law is one of the more favorable in the country for injured people. The owner is responsible even if the dog never bit anyone before. But that advantage comes with half the normal time to use it. Here's how the two deadlines work, why the choice between them matters, and what to do in the first few weeks.
What Is Arizona's Dog Bite Law?
Arizona uses strict liability for dog bites. Under A.R.S. § 11-1025, the owner of a dog that bites someone in a public place, or someone lawfully on private property (including the owner's own property), is liable for the damages, regardless of whether the dog was vicious before or whether the owner knew it could be. There's no "one free bite" in Arizona, and the Animal Legal & Historical Center's state-by-state table shows how Arizona's bite and dog-at-large statutes compare with other states.
A 2025 amendment added another requirement: the owner, or whoever was caring for the dog, must give the bitten person the owner's contact information. That makes it easier to identify who to pursue.
The main defense is provocation. Under A.R.S. § 11-1027, proof that the injured person provoked the dog is a defense, judged by whether a reasonable person would expect the conduct to provoke a dog. Police and military dogs also have a narrow exception in certain situations.
Why Is the Dog Bite Deadline One Year Instead of Two?
Because of where the claim comes from. Arizona's general statute of limitations for injuries, A.R.S. § 12-542, gives two years. But Arizona has a separate one-year limit for liability created by statute, and the Arizona courts' self-help center lists it alongside other one-year deadlines in its statutes of limitation guide. Since strict dog bite liability exists only because of A.R.S. § 11-1025, it falls under that shorter window.
Nolo's summary of Arizona injury deadlines puts it plainly: suits under the strict liability dog bite statute must be filed within one year, while negligence claims get the two-year rule. Since most dog bite cases include both claims, the practical deadline is one year.
| Strict Liability (A.R.S. § 11-1025) | Negligence (A.R.S. § 12-542) | |
|---|---|---|
| Filing deadline | 1 year | 2 years |
| What you must prove | The owner's dog bit you where you were lawfully present | The owner or handler was careless and caused your injury |
| Who you can sue | The dog's owner only | Owners, dog walkers, pet sitters, and others responsible |
| Injuries covered | Bites | Bites, knockdowns, scratches, falls |
| Main defense | Provocation | Your own share of fault reduces the award |
Why Does the Choice Between Strict Liability and Negligence Matter?
Because the one-year claim is usually the stronger one. With strict liability, you mainly show the owner's dog bit you where you had a right to be. You don't have to prove the dog was dangerous, the owner knew it, or the owner did anything wrong.
After one year, that option generally disappears. You're left with negligence, which means proving carelessness, such as:
- The dog was off-leash in violation of a local leash law
- The owner knew the dog was aggressive and didn't restrain it
- A gate or fence was left open or poorly maintained
- A walker or sitter lost control of a dog they knew was reactive
Negligence claims can succeed, but they're more work to prove and easier for an insurer to dispute. Under Arizona's comparative fault statute, A.R.S. § 12-2505, your recovery is also reduced by any share of fault a jury assigns to you.
When is negligence the only option?
In some cases, negligence is the only route even within the first year. Arizona's strict liability statute applies only to the owner and only to bites. If a dog walker or pet sitter had the dog, or the dog knocked you down without biting, negligence may be the main claim. Nolo's guide to Arizona dog bite laws notes that a separate statute, A.R.S. § 11-1020, also makes owners and people responsible for a dog liable for injuries it causes while at large, including non-bite injuries like being knocked over.
What If a Government Dog or Public Property Was Involved?
Then a third, even shorter deadline may apply. Claims against an Arizona city, county, state agency, or public employee require a written notice of claim within 180 days under A.R.S. § 12-821.01, and the lawsuit must follow within one year. That can come up with a bite at a public facility, or a police dog bite outside the statute's protected situations. Here's how Arizona's 180-day notice of claim works and what happens if you miss it.
What Should You Do in the First Weeks After an Arizona Dog Bite?
The deadline is a year, but most of what decides the case happens in the first few weeks.
1. Get medical care. Bites are prone to infection, and this guide covers the infection signs to watch for after a dog bite. 2. Get the owner's information. Arizona now requires the owner or caretaker to give it to you. 3. Report the bite. In most of the county, including Phoenix, bites go to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, which investigates, places the dog in a 10-day quarantine, and can issue citations. Residents of several cities, including Mesa and Glendale, report to their local police department instead. 4. Photograph everything. Wounds, torn clothing, the location, and the dog. 5. Find out about insurance. Many dog bite claims are paid through the owner's homeowners or renters policy. Here's more on how homeowners insurance covers dog bites. 6. Mark your calendar. Count one year from the bite, and 180 days if any government entity is involved.
A claim with the owner's insurer doesn't stop the clock. If the case hasn't settled as the one-year mark approaches, the lawsuit usually needs to be filed to protect the strict liability claim.
How Can Meesha Moulton Law Help With an Arizona Dog Bite Claim?
Dog bite claims in Arizona are strong on the law but short on time. Meesha Moulton personally reviews every case, and consultations are free for personal injury matters, so you can find out which claims apply and which deadline controls before any of them run out.
Learn more about working with a Phoenix dog bite lawyer, or request a free consultation to talk through what happened.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Dog Bite Deadlines
What is the statute of limitations for a dog bite in Arizona?
It depends on the claim. A strict liability claim under Arizona's dog bite statute generally must be filed within one year of the bite. A negligence claim generally has two years. Because most cases include both, the practical deadline is one year from the bite.
Is Arizona a strict liability state for dog bites?
Yes. Arizona holds a dog's owner liable when the dog bites someone in a public place or someone lawfully on private property, even if the dog never showed aggression before. The main defense is provocation, judged by whether a reasonable person would expect the conduct to provoke a dog.
Can I still sue after one year for a dog bite in Arizona?
Possibly, but usually only for negligence. After one year, the strict liability claim is generally barred, and you would need to prove the owner or handler was careless, such as by violating a leash law. That claim generally must be filed within two years of the bite.
Does Arizona's dog bite law cover injuries that aren't bites?
Not the strict liability bite statute itself. If a dog knocked you down or scratched you, you may have a claim under Arizona's separate law for dogs at large, or a negligence claim. The deadline and proof needed depend on which claim applies.
Can I sue a dog walker or pet sitter in Arizona?
Yes, but usually through negligence rather than strict liability. Arizona's strict liability dog bite statute applies to the dog's owner. A dog walker, sitter, or other handler can be liable if they were careless, or under the dogs-at-large statute if the dog was loose while in their care.
Do I have to report a dog bite in Arizona?
Reporting is strongly recommended, and it creates an official record for your claim. In most of Maricopa County, including Phoenix, dog bites are reported to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, which investigates and places the dog in a 10-day quarantine. Some cities, including Mesa and Glendale, handle reports through local police.
