Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Illinois
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: 510 ILCS 5/16 (Animal Control Act, strict liability); SOL: 735 ILCS 5/13-202 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from Date of bite/injury, under 510 ILCS 5/16 (Animal Control Act, strict liability); SOL: 735 ILCS 5/13-202.
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Illinois law sets a hard deadline of 2 years to file a dog bite lawsuit. The controlling statute is 510 ILCS 5/16 (Animal Control Act, strict liability); SOL: 735 ILCS 5/13-202, 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.
Illinois Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Bite | 2 years | 510 ILCS 5/16 (Animal Control Act, strict liability); SOL: 735 ILCS 5/13-202 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | 735 ILCS 5/13-202 |
| Credit Card Debt | 5 yrs | 735 ILCS 5/13-205 |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | 735 ILCS 5/13-212(a) |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | 740 ILCS 180/2 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/13-202 |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | 735 ILCS 5/13-202 |
| Defamation | 1 yr | 735 ILCS 5/13-201 |
| Breach of Contract | 10 yrs | 735 ILCS 5/13-206 |
| Medical Debt | 5 yrs | 735 ILCS 5/13-205 |
When the Clock Starts
In Illinois, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on Date of bite/injury. Illinois 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 local government entities have a shortened 1-year SOL under 745 ILCS 10/8-101, not the standard 2-year period
Illinois imposes strict liability under the Animal Control Act; the plaintiff must not have provoked the animal and must have been lawfully present. Claims against local governmental entities are subject to a 1-year SOL under 745 ILCS 10/8-101.
Source: 510 ILCS 5/16 (Animal Control Act, strict liability); SOL: 735 ILCS 5/13-202, official Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 2 years | 510 ILCS 5/16 (Animal Control Act, strict liability); SOL: 735 ILCS 5/13-202 |
| Wisconsin | 3 yrs | Wis. Stat. § 174.02; SOL: § 893.54 |
| Iowa | 2 yrs | Iowa Code § 351.28 |
| Missouri | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 273.036 |
| Kentucky | 1 yr | KRS § 258.235(4) |
| Indiana | 2 yrs | Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Illinois?
You have 2 years from Date of bite/injury, under 510 ILCS 5/16 (Animal Control Act, strict liability); SOL: 735 ILCS 5/13-202.
Can I still sue after 2 years in Illinois?
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?
Illinois 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 local government entities have a shortened 1-year SOL under 745 ILCS 10/8-101, not the standard 2-year period
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Sources
- Official 510 ILCS 5 Animal Control Act - Illinois General Assembly
- Corroborating Justia - 510 ILCS 5/16
- Corroborating Nolo - Illinois 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 Illinois attorney.