Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Alaska
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: AS 09.10.070 (2-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date of bite/injury, under AS 09.10.070 (2-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies.
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The deadline to file a dog bite lawsuit in Alaska is 2 years, set by AS 09.10.070 (2-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies. It starts running on Date of bite/injury. This page covers the exceptions, the government-claim trap, and the steps to take before time runs out.
Alaska Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Bite | 2 years | AS 09.10.070 (2-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Alaska Stat. § 09.10.070(a) |
| Credit Card Debt | 3 yrs | Alaska Stat. § 09.10.053 |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | Alaska Stat. § 09.10.070 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Alaska Stat. § 09.55.580 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Alaska Stat. § 09.10.070(a) |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Alaska Stat. § 09.10.070(a) |
| Defamation | 2 yrs | AS 09.10.070(a)(1) |
| Breach of Contract | 3 yrs | Alaska Stat. § 09.10.053 |
| Medical Debt | 3 yrs | Alaska Stat. § 09.10.053 |
When the Clock Starts
In Alaska, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on Date of bite/injury. Alaska does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
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Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline
- Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
- Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
- Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.
- Government-claim trap: Claims against the State of Alaska follow the process under AS 09.50.250; same 2-year period
Alaska has no specific dog bite statute and follows the common law one-bite rule requiring proof of the owner's prior knowledge of the animal's dangerous propensity. The two-year personal injury SOL under AS 09.10.070 applies.
Source: AS 09.10.070 (2-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies, official Alaska statute · verified 2026-07
What to Do Before the Deadline Runs
- Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
- Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
- Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Alaska government defendants).
- If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.
How Alaska Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 2 years | AS 09.10.070 (2-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies |
| Washington | 3 yrs | RCW § 16.08.040; SOL: RCW § 4.16.080 |
| Oregon | 2 yrs | ORS 31.360 (strict liability); SOL: ORS 12.110(1) |
| California | 2 yrs | Cal. Civ. Code § 3342 (strict liability); SOL: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Alaska?
You have 2 years from Date of bite/injury, under AS 09.10.070 (2-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies.
Can I still sue after 2 years in Alaska?
Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.
What if the victim was a minor?
Alaska generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.
Is the deadline different for claims against the government?
Claims against the State of Alaska follow the process under AS 09.50.250; same 2-year period
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Sources
- Official Alaska Statutes § 09.10.070 - Alaska Legislature
- Corroborating Justia - AS 09.10.070
- Corroborating Animal Law Info - Alaska Dog Statutes
- Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify
This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Alaska attorney.