Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Kansas
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: K.S.A. § 47-645 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
2 years
from date of bite/injury, under K.S.A. § 47-645.
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The deadline to file a dog bite lawsuit in Kansas is 2 years, set by K.S.A. § 47-645. 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.
Kansas Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Bite | 2 years | K.S.A. § 47-645 |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | K.S.A. § 60-513(a)(4) |
| Credit Card Debt | 3 yrs | K.S.A. § 60-512(1) |
| Medical Malpractice | 2 yrs | K.S.A. 60-513(a)(7), (c) |
| Wrongful Death | 2 yrs | K.S.A. § 60-1901 |
| Personal Injury | 2 yrs | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-513(a)(4) |
| Slip and Fall | 2 yrs | K.S.A. § 60-513(a)(4) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | K.S.A. § 60-514(a) |
| Breach of Contract | 5 yrs | K.S.A. 60-511(1) |
| Medical Debt | 5 yrs | K.S.A. § 60-511(1) |
When the Clock Starts
In Kansas, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on date of bite/injury. Kansas 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.
Kansas has strict liability for dog bites under K.S.A. § 47-645 regardless of prior viciousness. The 2-year personal injury SOL under K.S.A. § 60-513(a)(4) applies.
Source: K.S.A. § 47-645, official Kansas 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 Kansas 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 Kansas Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 2 years | K.S.A. § 47-645 |
| Nebraska | 4 yrs | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207 |
| Missouri | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 273.036 |
| Oklahoma | 2 yrs | 4 O.S. § 42.1 (strict liability); SOL: 12 O.S. § 95(A)(3) |
| Colorado | 2 yrs | C.R.S. § 13-80-102 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Kansas?
You have 2 years from date of bite/injury, under K.S.A. § 47-645.
Can I still sue after 2 years in Kansas?
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?
Kansas 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 K.S.A. § 47-645 - Dog Bite Liability
- Corroborating Justia - K.S.A. § 47-645
- Corroborating Nolo - Kansas 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 Kansas attorney.