Arizona Dog-Bite Laws

Arizona’s Dog Bite Laws: An Introduction to Liability for Dog Bites.

A dog can be a man’s best friend. But sometimes dogs bite. In Arizona, dog bite laws impose strict liability on the owner of a dog that bites a person. Strict liability means the owner of the dog is responsible for injuries inflicted by their dog without respect to fault on the part of the owner.

Merits of a Lawsuit

While not an exhaustive list, here are some questions that can be used to determine the potential merits of a dog bite lawsuit.

How serious were the injuries? The severity of the injuries may determine the amount of potential recovery.

Do you know who owns the dog? Any legal claim must be brought against the dog’s owner.

Where did the incident occur? In strict liability states, like Arizona, you may only have to prove that you were bitten by a dog owned by another person, without provocation.

Beware! Dog bite statutes have a one-year statute of limitations.

In Arizona, if you have been injured as a result of a dog bite, you have one year to bring a lawsuit. In some cases, however, you may have two years. The length of time to take action for a dog bite injury depends on the law applied to your case.

Who pays damages resulting from a dog bite?

Dog bites can result in serious and permanent injury, and lead to expensive medical bills and lost wages. To protect oneself from liability a dog owner should have animal insurance. Additionally, homeowner and car insurance can help pay for damages resulting from a dog bite.

Tips for Avoiding Dog Bites.

About 4.7 million Americans suffer from dog bites each year. Here are just a few tips for avoiding dog bites:

Look for signs of anxiety—these signs can include: ears folded back, tenseness, or the whites of their eyes are visible.

Heed the yellow ribbon—if a dog is wearing a yellow ribbon on its collar or leash, this is a sign that the dog should be approached with caution.

Do not let kids chase dogs—chasing after a dog, primarily a dog that has walked away from a child that is bothering it, may make it feel the need to attack to protect itself.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury resulting from a dog bite, it is important to seek medical attention for your injury, obtain all documentation, and call an attorney immediately. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael Cordova are experienced in claims involving dog bites in Arizona.