Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Arkansas
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 (3-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
3 years
from Date of bite/injury, under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 (3-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies.
Advertisement
Under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 (3-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies, you have 3 years from Date of bite/injury to file a dog bite lawsuit in Arkansas. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Arkansas-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
Arkansas Deadlines for Related Claims
When the Clock Starts
In Arkansas, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on Date of bite/injury. Arkansas does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.
Advertisement
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.
Arkansas follows the common law one-bite rule; the plaintiff must prove the owner had prior knowledge of the dog's dangerous propensity. The three-year personal injury SOL under § 16-56-105(3) applies.
Source: Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 (3-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies, official Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 3 years | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 (3-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies |
| Missouri | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 273.036 |
| Tennessee | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-8-413; SOL: § 28-3-104 |
| Mississippi | 3 yrs | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49 |
| Louisiana | 1 yr | La. Civ. Code Ann. art. 2321 |
| Texas | 2 yrs | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003 |
| Oklahoma | 2 yrs | 4 O.S. § 42.1 (strict liability); SOL: 12 O.S. § 95(A)(3) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Arkansas?
You have 3 years from Date of bite/injury, under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 (3-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies.
Can I still sue after 3 years in Arkansas?
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?
Arkansas 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.
Advertisement
Sources
- Official Justia - Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 (no free official site)
- Corroborating FindLaw - Arkansas Dog Bite Laws
- Corroborating Animal Law Info - State Dog Bite Strict Liability 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 Arkansas attorney.