Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Massachusetts
Last verified 2026-07 · Source: M.G.L. c. 140, § 155 ✓ verified · 3 sources
The deadline
3 years
from date of bite/injury, under M.G.L. c. 140, § 155.
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Under M.G.L. c. 140, § 155, you have 3 years from date of bite/injury to file a dog bite lawsuit in Massachusetts. Miss it and you lose the right to sue — but several Massachusetts-specific exceptions can extend (or shorten) that window, detailed below.
Massachusetts Deadlines for Related Claims
| Claim type | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Bite | 3 years | M.G.L. c. 140, § 155 |
| Car Accident | 3 yrs | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A |
| Credit Card Debt | 6 yrs | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2 |
| Medical Malpractice | 3 yrs | M.G.L. c. 260, § 4 |
| Wrongful Death | 3 yrs | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 229, §2 |
| Personal Injury | 3 yrs | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A |
| Slip and Fall | 3 yrs | M.G.L. c. 260, § 2A |
| Defamation | 3 yrs | M.G.L. c. 260, § 4 |
| Breach of Contract | 6 yrs | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2 |
| Medical Debt | 6 yrs | M.G.L. c. 260, § 2 |
When the Clock Starts
In Massachusetts, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on date of bite/injury. Massachusetts 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: Presentment to the municipality required within 2 years for claims against government entities under M.G.L. c. 258, § 4.
Massachusetts imposes strict liability under M.G.L. c. 140, § 155; provocation and trespass are affirmative defenses. The 3-year tort SOL under M.G.L. c. 260, § 2A applies to all dog bite claims.
Source: M.G.L. c. 140, § 155, official Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Compares to Nearby States
| State | Deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 3 years | M.G.L. c. 140, § 155 |
| New York | 3 yrs | CPLR § 214(5) |
| Vermont | 3 yrs | 12 V.S.A. § 512 |
| New Hampshire | 3 yrs | RSA 508:4 |
| Connecticut | 3 yrs | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357 (strict liability dog bite); SOL: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-577 |
| 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 Massachusetts?
You have 3 years from date of bite/injury, under M.G.L. c. 140, § 155.
Can I still sue after 3 years in Massachusetts?
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?
Massachusetts 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?
Presentment to the municipality required within 2 years for claims against government entities under M.G.L. c. 258, § 4.
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Sources
- Official M.G.L. c. 140, § 155 - Dog Bite Strict Liability
- Corroborating Justia - M.G.L. c. 140, § 155
- Corroborating Nolo - Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts attorney.