Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Arizona
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: A.R.S. § 11-1025 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: A.R.S. § 12-542 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date of bite/injury, under A.R.S. § 11-1025 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: A.R.S. § 12-542.
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Under A.R.S. § 11-1025 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: A.R.S. § 12-542, you have 2 years from Date of bite/injury to file a dog bite lawsuit in Arizona. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Arizona-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
Arizona Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Bite | 2 years | A.R.S. § 11-1025 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542(1) |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548(A) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542; § 12-611; § 12-612 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | A.R.S. § 12-541(1) |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-548 |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | A.R.S. § 12-548 |
When the Clock Starts
In Arizona, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on Date of bite/injury. Arizona 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: 180-day written notice required under A.R.S. § 12-821.01 for claims against Arizona public entities
Arizona imposes strict liability on dog owners regardless of prior knowledge of viciousness. The two-year personal injury SOL under § 12-542 applies; minority tolling available under § 12-502.
Source: A.R.S. § 11-1025 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: A.R.S. § 12-542, official Arizona 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 Arizona 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 Arizona Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 2 years | A.R.S. § 11-1025 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: A.R.S. § 12-542 |
| California | 2 yrs | Cal. Civ. Code § 3342 (strict liability); SOL: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 |
| Nevada | 2 yrs | NRS 11.190(4)(e) |
| Utah | 4 yrs | Utah Code Ann. § 18-1-1; SOL: § 78B-2-307 |
| New Mexico | 3 yrs | NMSA 1978 § 37-1-8 |
| Colorado | 2 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-102 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Arizona?
You have 2 years from Date of bite/injury, under A.R.S. § 11-1025 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: A.R.S. § 12-542.
Can I still sue after 2 years in Arizona?
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?
Arizona 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?
180-day written notice required under A.R.S. § 12-821.01 for claims against Arizona public entities
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Sources
- Official Arizona Revised Statutes § 11-1025 - AZ Legislature
- Corroborating Justia - A.R.S. § 11-1025
- Corroborating FindLaw - Arizona Dog Bite Laws
- 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 Arizona attorney.