Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Minnesota

Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Minn. Stat. § 347.22 ✓ verified · 3 sources

The deadline

2 years

from date of bite/injury, under Minn. Stat. § 347.22.

If you're researching dog bite injury claims in Minnesota, the single most important number is 2 years. That's how long Minn. Stat. § 347.22 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.

Minnesota Deadlines for Related Claims

Claim type	Deadline	Statute
Dog Bite	2 years	Minn. Stat. § 347.22
Car Accident	6 yrs	Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(5)
Credit Card Debt	6 yrs	Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(1)
Medical Malpractice	4 yrs	Minn. Stat. § 541.076
Wrongful Death	3 yrs	Minn. Stat. § 573.02
Personal Injury	2 yrs	Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1)
Slip and Fall	2 yrs	Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1)
Defamation	2 yrs	Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1)
Breach of Contract	6 yrs	Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(1)
Medical Debt	6 yrs	Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(1)

When the Clock Starts

In Minnesota, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on date of bite/injury. Minnesota does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.

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: 180-day written notice required for claims against government entities under Minn. Stat. § 466.05.

Minnesota imposes strict liability on dog owners under § 347.22 for unprovoked attacks on persons lawfully present. The 2-year personal injury SOL under Minn. Stat. § 541.07(1) applies to dog bite claims.

Source: Minn. Stat. § 347.22, official Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota Compares to Nearby States

State	Deadline	Statute
Minnesota	2 years	Minn. Stat. § 347.22
North Dakota	6 yrs	N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-16
South Dakota	3 yrs	SDCL § 15-2-14(3)
Iowa	2 yrs	Iowa Code § 351.28
Wisconsin	3 yrs	Wis. Stat. § 174.02; SOL: § 893.54

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Minnesota?

You have 2 years from date of bite/injury, under Minn. Stat. § 347.22.

Can I still sue after 2 years in Minnesota?

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?

Minnesota 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?

180-day written notice required for claims against government entities under Minn. Stat. § 466.05.

Sources

Official Minn. Stat. § 347.22 - Dog Bite Strict Liability
Corroborating Justia - Minn. Stat. § 347.22
Corroborating Nolo - Minnesota 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 Minnesota attorney.