Dog Bite Laws by State (2026)
In strict-liability states, the owner is responsible even for a first bite. In one-bite states, you must show the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Select your state to see which rule applies.
Compare every state's dog bite rule
The classification below is a starting point. Each state guide explains statutory conditions, common defenses, shared-fault rules, and the filing deadline that applies to an injury lawsuit.
| State | Liability rule | General injury deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Hybrid rule | 2 years |
| Alaska | One-bite rule | 2 years |
| Arizona | Strict liability | 2 years |
| Arkansas | One-bite rule | 3 years |
| California | Strict liability | 2 years |
| Colorado | Hybrid rule | 2 years |
| Connecticut | Strict liability | 2 years |
| Delaware | Strict liability | 2 years |
| Florida | Strict liability | 2 years |
| Georgia | Hybrid rule | 2 years |
| Hawaii | Strict liability | 2 years |
| Idaho | One-bite rule | 2 years |
| Illinois | Strict liability | 2 years |
| Indiana | Hybrid rule | 2 years |
| Iowa | Strict liability | 2 years |
| Kansas | One-bite rule | 2 years |
| Kentucky | Strict liability | 1 year |
| Louisiana | Hybrid rule | 2 years |
| Maine | Hybrid rule | 6 years |
| Maryland | Hybrid rule | 3 years |
| Massachusetts | Strict liability | 3 years |
| Michigan | Strict liability | 3 years |
| Minnesota | Strict liability | 6 years |
| Mississippi | One-bite rule | 3 years |
| Missouri | Strict liability | 5 years |
| Montana | Hybrid rule | 3 years |
| Nebraska | Strict liability | 4 years |
| Nevada | One-bite rule | 2 years |
| New Hampshire | Strict liability | 3 years |
| New Jersey | Strict liability | 2 years |
| New Mexico | One-bite rule | 3 years |
| New York | Hybrid rule | 3 years |
| North Carolina | Hybrid rule | 3 years |
| North Dakota | One-bite rule | 6 years |
| Ohio | Strict liability | 2 years |
| Oklahoma | Strict liability | 2 years |
| Oregon | Hybrid rule | 2 years |
| Pennsylvania | Hybrid rule | 2 years |
| Rhode Island | Hybrid rule | 3 years |
| South Carolina | Strict liability | 3 years |
| South Dakota | One-bite rule | 3 years |
| Tennessee | Hybrid rule | 1 year |
| Texas | One-bite rule | 2 years |
| Utah | Strict liability | 4 years |
| Vermont | One-bite rule | 3 years |
| Virginia | One-bite rule | 2 years |
| Washington | Strict liability | 3 years |
| West Virginia | Strict liability | 2 years |
| Wisconsin | Strict liability | 3 years |
| Wyoming | One-bite rule | 4 years |
| Washington, D.C. | Hybrid rule | 3 years |
Bitten? Start with what to do after a dog bite and the dog bite settlement calculator.
General legal information, not legal advice. Claimelo is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines depend on your circumstances and may change. Consult a licensed attorney about your situation.