Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Wyoming

Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) ✓ verified · 3 sources

The deadline

4 years

from date of bite/injury, under Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C).

If you're researching dog bite injury claims in Wyoming, the single most important number is 4 years. That's how long Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) 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.

Wyoming Deadlines for Related Claims

Claim type	Deadline	Statute
Dog Bite	4 years	Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C)
Car Accident	4 yrs	Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C)
Credit Card Debt	8 yrs	Wyo. Stat. 1-3-105(a)(ii)
Medical Malpractice	2 yrs	Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-107
Wrongful Death	2 yrs	Wyo. Stat. § 1-38-102
Personal Injury	4 yrs	Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C)
Slip and Fall	4 yrs	Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C)
Defamation	1 yr	Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-3-105(a)(v)(A)
Breach of Contract	10 yrs	Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105
Medical Debt	10 yrs	Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(i)

When the Clock Starts

In Wyoming, the limitations period for dog bite injury claims generally begins on date of bite/injury. Wyoming 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.

Wyoming follows the common law one-bite rule with no specific dog bite statute; owners are liable only if they knew of the dog's dangerous propensities. The 4-year general personal injury SOL under § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) applies.

Source: Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C), official Wyoming 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 Wyoming 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 Wyoming Compares to Nearby States

State	Deadline	Statute
Wyoming	4 years	Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C)
Montana	3 yrs	Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-204
South Dakota	3 yrs	SDCL § 15-2-14(3)
Nebraska	4 yrs	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207
Colorado	2 yrs	C.R.S. § 13-80-102
Utah	4 yrs	Utah Code Ann. § 18-1-1; SOL: § 78B-2-307
Idaho	2 yrs	Idaho Code § 5-219(4) (2-year personal injury SOL); no specific dog bite statute — common law one-bite rule applies

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You have 4 years from date of bite/injury, under Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C).

Can I still sue after 4 years in Wyoming?

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?

Wyoming 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.

Sources

Official Wyo. Stat. Title 1 - Wyoming Legislature
Corroborating Wyoming Personal Injury Laws - Nolo
Corroborating The One Bite Rule in Wyoming - Animal of Things
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 Wyoming attorney.