Dog Bite Laws in Arizona

Arizona's rule: strict liability

Arizona is a strict liability state for dog bites. Under A.R.S. 11-1025, the owner pays when the dog bites someone in a public place or someone lawfully on private property.

You do not have to prove the dog bit anyone before. The owner cannot defend the claim by saying the dog was always gentle.

Owners usually argue that you provoked the dog or were trespassing. That is why where you stood, and why you were there, matters from day one.

Since September 26, 2025, an owner whose dog bites you must give you their contact information. This comes from a 2025 change to the law. If the owner walked away, that broke the law, and your bite report can name them.

Your deadline to file in Arizona

An adult has 1 year from the bite to file in court under the dog bite statute, A.R.S. 12-541.

A claim based on the owner's carelessness has 2 years under A.R.S. 12-542. Attorneys in Arizona often file both claims. If your child was bitten, ask about the deadline on the call.

A bite by a public dog, such as a police dog, follows different rules. A claim against a city or county often needs a written notice of claim within months. Tell us on the first call.

Compare dog bite deadlines in every state.

What an Arizona claim pays, and who pays it

There is no Arizona average to quote. The state is not on Triple-I's top-ten list of states by claims.

Your claim's value starts with your medical bills and lost pay. A scar or a bite to the face raises it. Run your own numbers for a first look.

A homeowners or renters policy usually covers the owner's dog. You file with the owner's insurer, and it pays up to its policy limit.

Ask the owner for the insurance company name and policy number on day one. Learn how the insurance claim works.

What to do now in Arizona

• If the bite is serious, get emergency medical care first. A legal call never replaces a doctor.
• Then call us for a free review before the owner's insurer calls you.
• Report the bite to county animal care and control. Each Arizona county takes its own bite reports.
• Get the owner's name, contact information and insurance details.
• Write down the date of the bite, and keep a copy of the bite report.
• Note where you were standing, since being there lawfully is part of the claim.

The bite report records the owner's name, the dog's vaccine status and the date. Insurers and attorneys both rely on it.

Read more on what to do after a dog bite.