Arizona Dog Bite Laws

The state of Arizona has one of the strictest dog bite statutes in the United States.

Dog bites are one of the most common causes of injury in Arizona each year, and in order to protect you and your family, it is important to consult with a personal injury lawyer to learn about dog bite laws in Arizona and how you can get compensation if you are a victim.

What is the Arizona Dog Bites Law?

When it comes to dog bites, Arizona dog bite laws consists of strict liability.

Under AR.S. 11-1025 through 11-1027, even if a dog owner is unaware of an attack by their dog, they can still be held liable for any injuries and damages that resulted from a dog bite.

Negligence or no knowledge of the dog bite is not required for a case to be filed against the owner.

AR.S. also states that if a victim lawfully or unlawfully enters a private property, the owner may still be responsible for a victim who is attacked by their dog.

One loophole to this is if there are clearly posted signs stating that there is a viscous dog on the premises, then the charge of trespassing, if the victim entered the property unlawfully, would negatively impact any claim made for injury.

Being on a private property lawfully means someone was invited as a guest onto the property, or if they were invited onto the property for work required by state or local ordinances.

How do Arizona Dog Bite Laws Differ from Other States?

Many states have a “one free bite” policy for dog bites, meaning that the first time a dog bites a victim, the owner may not be liable.

Arizona does not follow this policy, and no matter how many times a dog has bitten someone, whether it is the first or the third, they can still be held completely liable for damages.

Also hand-in-hand with owner liability for dog bites is caretaker liability.

This means that if the owner is not present at the time of the attack, both the person looking over the dog and the owner can both be charged for the damages.

There is one circumstance, however, where the owner cannot be held liable for a dog bite. This is if it is determined that the dog bite was a result of the victim provoking the dog, thus causing the incident.

Looking for a Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me?

For more information on protecting your rights as a dog owner or dog bite victim, contact the Tucson personal injury attorneys at Thrush Law Group.