Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Kentucky
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: KRS § 258.235(4) ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
1 year
from date of bite/injury, under KRS § 258.235(4).
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If you're researching dog bite injury claims in Kentucky, the single most important number is 1 year. That's how long KRS § 258.235(4) gives you to file a dog bite lawsuit, counted from date of bite/injury. File even one day late and the court will almost certainly dismiss the case, no matter how strong it is.
Kentucky Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Bite | 1 year | KRS § 258.235(4) |
| Car Accident | 2 yrs | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 304.39-230(6) |
| Credit Card Debt | 5 yrs | KRS § 413.120 |
| Medical Malpractice | 1 yr | KRS 413.140(1)(e), (2) |
| Wrongful Death | 1 yr | KRS § 411.130; KRS § 413.180 |
| Personal Injury | 1 yr | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 413.140(1)(a) |
| Slip and Fall | 1 yr | Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.140(1)(a) |
| Defamation | 1 yr | KRS § 413.140(1)(d) |
| Breach of Contract | 10 yrs | KRS 413.160 |
| Medical Debt | 10 yrs | KRS § 413.160 |
When the Clock Starts
In Kentucky, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on date of bite/injury. Kentucky 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.
Kentucky imposes strict liability on dog owners under KRS § 258.235(4) for all damage caused by their dogs. The 1-year personal injury SOL under KRS § 413.140(1)(a) applies and is strictly enforced.
Source: KRS § 258.235(4), official Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 1 year | KRS § 258.235(4) |
| Illinois | 2 yrs | 510 ILCS 5/16 (Animal Control Act, strict liability); SOL: 735 ILCS 5/13-202 |
| Indiana | 2 yrs | Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3 |
| Ohio | 2 yrs | Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 |
| West Virginia | 2 yrs | W. Va. Code § 19-20-13; SOL: § 55-2-12 |
| Virginia | 2 yrs | Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-6540; SOL: § 8.01-243 |
| Tennessee | 1 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-8-413; SOL: § 28-3-104 |
| Missouri | 5 yrs | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 273.036 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Kentucky?
You have 1 year from date of bite/injury, under KRS § 258.235(4).
Can I still sue after 1 years in Kentucky?
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?
Kentucky 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 KRS § 258.235 - Dog Bite Liability
- Corroborating Justia - KRS § 258.235
- Corroborating Nolo - Kentucky 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 Kentucky attorney.