Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Ohio

Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10 ✓ verified · 3 sources

The deadline

2 years

from Date of injury, under Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10.

Ohio law sets a hard deadline of 2 years to file a dog bite lawsuit. The controlling statute is Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10, and the clock generally starts on Date of injury. Below: exactly when that clock starts, the exceptions that can pause it, and the traps that shorten it.

Ohio Deadlines for Related Claims

Claim type	Deadline	Statute
Dog Bite	2 years	Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10
Car Accident	2 yrs	Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10
Credit Card Debt	6 yrs	Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.07(C)
Medical Malpractice	1 yr	Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.113
Wrongful Death	2 yrs	Ohio Rev. Code § 2125.02
Personal Injury	2 yrs	Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10(A)
Slip and Fall	2 yrs	Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10
Defamation	1 yr	Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.11(A)
Breach of Contract	6 yrs	Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06
Medical Debt	6 yrs	Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06

When the Clock Starts

In Ohio, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on Date of injury. Ohio 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: Claims against the State filed in Ohio Court of Claims within 2 years under ORC § 2743.16

Ohio imposes strict liability on dog owners under ORC § 955.28 for bites and attacks. 2-year SOL under § 2305.10.

Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10, official Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio Compares to Nearby States

State	Deadline	Statute
Ohio	2 years	Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10
Pennsylvania	2 yrs	3 Pa.C.S. § 459-502 (Dog Law); SOL: 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2)
West Virginia	2 yrs	W. Va. Code § 19-20-13; SOL: § 55-2-12
Kentucky	1 yr	KRS § 258.235(4)
Indiana	2 yrs	Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3
Michigan	3 yrs	MCL § 287.351

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You have 2 years from Date of injury, under Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.10.

Can I still sue after 2 years in Ohio?

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?

Ohio 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 the State filed in Ohio Court of Claims within 2 years under ORC § 2743.16

Sources

Official Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10
Corroborating Justia - ORC § 2305.10
Corroborating Ohio Dog Bite Laws - Nolo
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 Ohio attorney.