Dog bit your child?
Strict liability state.
Arizona is one of the strongest strict-liability dog-bite states in the country. The owner is liable, period. Free 5-minute consultation before homeowner insurance gets to you.
The owner said the dog had “never bit anyone.”
You were at a friend’s house, a neighbor’s yard, a Phoenix-area apartment complex, or walking on a public sidewalk. Maybe your kid was playing with a dog the family knew. The owner said the dog was “friendly.” Then it lunged. Bit your child’s face, your hand, your leg.
The dog owner is panicking. Their homeowner insurance company has been calling, sounding sympathetic. They will offer a small settlement and ask you to sign a release. Once you sign, the case is closed forever — including reconstructive surgery your child may need at age 18 to fix scarring.
Arizona’s strict-liability dog bite statute
Arizona is significantly stronger than the common-law “one bite rule” that applies in most states. The owner is liable regardless of the dog’s history.
Strict liability — A.R.S. § 11-1025
The owner is liable, regardless of the dog’s prior history or the owner’s knowledge. You don’t have to prove the dog was “known to be dangerous.”
1-year clock
The dog-bite statute of limitations is 1 year under A.R.S. § 11-1025. Common-law negligence has a 2-year clock. Calling early matters.
Provocation defense
The only defense available is provocation by the bitten person, and the burden is on the dog owner. Children under 8 are presumed legally incapable.
Homeowner insurance pays
Most claims are paid by the dog owner’s homeowner or renter policy ($100K-$300K typical liability coverage). Some policies exclude specific breeds.
Child cases need court approval
Any settlement involving a minor in Arizona requires court approval. We handle the minor’s-compromise process.
Don’t sign anything
Insurance pushes for fast settlement before the medical reality is clear. Facial scarring on children needs years to fully evaluate.
What to do in the first 72 hours
Get medical attention.
Even small puncture wounds carry infection risk. Hospital documentation creates the medical record.
Report to animal control.
Arizona requires bite reporting. The animal control report becomes evidence and triggers rabies-quarantine procedures.
Photograph everything.
The wound at time and at progression intervals (week 1, week 4). The dog. The location. Critical for full documentation.
Call us before settling.
Especially if the victim is a child. Settling early forecloses recovery for future revision surgery.
Wood Injury Law took over my case after another firm told me to take a low-ball settlement. They got me significantly more once they actually fought it. Worth every minute.
Questions clients ask on the first call
How much does it cost to hire Wood Injury Law?
Nothing upfront. Contingency fee, paid a percentage of recovery. If we don’t recover, you owe nothing in attorney fees.
How long do I have to file in Arizona?
Two years from the date of the wreck under A.R.S. § 12-542. Government cases require 180-day notice under A.R.S. § 12-821.01.
What if I’m partly at fault?
Arizona is a pure comparative negligence state under A.R.S. § 12-2505. You can still recover, reduced by your percentage of fault.
What if the at-fault party had no insurance?
Your own UM/UIM coverage under A.R.S. § 20-259.01 may pay your damages even when the at-fault driver carries no insurance.
What if I had a prior injury?
Arizona follows the eggshell plaintiff doctrine. A wreck that aggravated an existing condition still caused your current injury and is compensable.
How quickly should I call?
Today if you can. Earlier involvement means evidence preservation, no recorded-statement traps, and a clear strategy from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arizona a strict liability state for dog bites?
Yes. Under ARS 11-1020 and 11-1025, a dog owner is strictly liable for bites when the victim is lawfully on public or private property, regardless of prior vicious propensity. The one-bite rule does not apply to bite injuries in Arizona.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim?
One year under the strict-liability statute (ARS 11-1028), or two years under the common-law negligence theory (ARS 12-542). Use whichever fits, but file under the strict-liability statute within twelve months or you may lose that theory.
What if the dog was provoked?
Provocation is a defense under ARS 11-1027. Self-defense, trespass, or teasing can reduce or bar recovery. Courts apply a reasonable-person standard; a child cannot normally provoke a dog as a matter of law. Documentation and witness testimony decide these cases.
Does homeowners insurance cover dog bites?
Usually yes under the liability section of a standard HO-3 policy, unless the breed is excluded. Some insurers exclude specific breeds (rottweilers, pit bulls) or prior-bite dogs. Check the declarations. A renter's policy covers bites in rented homes too.
What should I do after a dog bite?
Seek medical treatment (rabies, tetanus, wound care). Report the bite to the county animal control, required in most Arizona counties. Photograph injuries and the scene. Get the owner's name, address, and insurance. Do not sign anything from the owner or their insurer.