Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Connecticut
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
3 years
from Date of bite/injury, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577.
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Connecticut law sets a hard deadline of 3 years to file a dog bite lawsuit. The controlling statute is Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577, and the clock generally starts on Date of bite/injury. Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.
Connecticut Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Bite | 3 years | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576(a) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-555 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 |
| Defamation | 2 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-597 |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576 |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-576 |
When the Clock Starts
In Connecticut, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on Date of bite/injury. Connecticut 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.
Connecticut imposes strict liability under § 22-357; because the claim is not grounded in negligence, the three-year general tort SOL under § 52-577 applies rather than the two-year negligence SOL (§ 52-584). The plaintiff must not have been trespassing or provoking the dog.
Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577, official Connecticut 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 Connecticut 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 Connecticut Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 3 years | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577 |
| New York | 3 yrs | CPLR § 214(5) |
| Massachusetts | 3 yrs | M.G.L. c. 140, § 155 |
| Rhode Island | 3 yrs | R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-16 (strict liability); SOL: R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Connecticut?
You have 3 years from Date of bite/injury, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577.
Can I still sue after 3 years in Connecticut?
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?
Connecticut 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.
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Sources
- Official Connecticut General Statutes § 22-357 - CT General Assembly
- Corroborating Justia - Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357
- Corroborating Nolo - Connecticut 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 Connecticut attorney.