All Comparison Tables
Dog Bite Liability Laws
Compare dog bite liability rules (strict liability, one-bite, or mixed), applicable statutes, and key exceptions across all 50 states.
50 States3 data columnsLast updated: 2025-12-05
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| State | Rule | Statute | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL - Alabama | One-Bite | Ala. Code § 3-6-1 (running at large) | Strict liability only for dogs running at large |
| AK - Alaska | One-Bite | Common law | Liability if owner knew of dangerous propensity |
| AZ - Arizona | Strict Liability | A.R.S. § 11-1025 | Provocation defense; trespasser defense |
| AR - Arkansas | One-Bite / Mixed | Ark. Code § 5-62-125 | Strict liability for owners who know dog is dangerous |
| CA - California | Strict Liability | Cal. Civ. Code § 3342 | Trespasser exception; provocation; military/police dogs |
| CO - Colorado | Strict Liability (bodily injury) | C.R.S. § 13-21-124 | Strict for serious injury; negligence for property damage |
| CT - Connecticut | Strict Liability | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22-357 | Trespassing and teasing/tormenting defense |
| DE - Delaware | Strict Liability | 16 Del. C. § 3054F | Trespasser exception; provocation defense |
| FL - Florida | Strict Liability | Fla. Stat. § 767.01 | Comparative negligence for provocation; Bad Dog sign (sometimes) |
| GA - Georgia | One-Bite / Mixed | O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7 | Owner must have knowledge of vicious propensity or violate leash law |
| HI - Hawaii | Strict Liability | HRS § 663-9 | Provocation defense; trespasser defense |
| ID - Idaho | One-Bite / Mixed | Common law + local ordinances | Negligence or knowledge of dangerous propensity required |
| IL - Illinois | Strict Liability | 510 ILCS 5/16 | Trespassing and provocation defenses |
| IN - Indiana | Strict Liability | Ind. Code § 15-20-1-3 | Provocation defense; applies regardless of prior knowledge |
| IA - Iowa | Strict Liability | Iowa Code § 351.28 | No trespasser exception; provocation defense |
| KS - Kansas | One-Bite / Mixed | Common law + K.S.A. § 47-645 | Strict liability only for dogs biting outside owner's property |
| KY - Kentucky | Strict Liability | KRS § 258.235 | Owner strictly liable for damages; provocation defense |
| LA - Louisiana | Strict Liability | La. Civ. Code Art. 2321 | Owner liable unless victim provoked or was trespassing |
| ME - Maine | Strict Liability | 7 M.R.S. § 3961 | Trespassing, teasing, tormenting, or abusing defenses |
| MD - Maryland | One-Bite / Mixed | Common law + Md. Code CJP § 3-1901 | Owner must have knowledge of vicious or dangerous propensity |
| MA - Massachusetts | Strict Liability | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140 § 155 | Trespasser and provocation defenses; child under 7 presumed not at fault |
| MI - Michigan | Strict Liability | MCL § 287.351 | Provocation defense; trespasser exception |
| MN - Minnesota | Strict Liability | Minn. Stat. § 347.22 | Provocation defense; trespasser exception |
| MS - Mississippi | One-Bite | Common law | Must prove owner knew of dangerous propensity |
| MO - Missouri | Strict Liability | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 273.036 | Trespasser exception; provocation defense |
| MT - Montana | Strict Liability | Mont. Code § 27-1-715 | Provocation and trespass defenses |
| NE - Nebraska | Strict Liability | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 54-601 | Owner strictly liable; provocation defense |
| NV - Nevada | One-Bite / Mixed | NRS § 202.500 | Negligence must be shown unless known dangerous dog |
| NH - New Hampshire | Strict Liability | N.H. RSA § 466:19 | Owner strictly liable; trespasser and provocation exceptions |
| NJ - New Jersey | Strict Liability | N.J.S.A. § 4:19-16 | Owner liable regardless of prior knowledge; provocation defense |
| NM - New Mexico | One-Bite / Mixed | Common law + NMSA § 77-1A-1 (dangerous dog) | Negligence per se if violating leash law; otherwise one-bite rule |
| NY - New York | One-Bite / Mixed | Agric. & Mkts. Law § 121 | Strict liability only after dog declared dangerous; negligence otherwise |
| NC - North Carolina | One-Bite / Mixed | N.C.G.S. § 67-4.1 | Strict liability for dangerous dogs; negligence for others |
| ND - North Dakota | One-Bite / Mixed | Common law | Owner liable if knew of dangerous propensity |
| OH - Ohio | Strict Liability | Ohio Rev. Code § 955.28 | Owner strictly liable; trespasser and provocation defenses |
| OK - Oklahoma | Strict Liability | Okla. Stat. tit. 4 § 42.1 | Owner liable regardless of prior knowledge; trespasser exception |
| OR - Oregon | Strict Liability (economic damages) | ORS § 31.360 | Strict for economic; negligence for non-economic damages |
| PA - Pennsylvania | Strict Liability (severe injuries) | 3 Pa.C.S. § 459-502 | Strict liability for severe injuries; medical costs for first bite |
| RI - Rhode Island | Strict Liability | R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-13-16 | Owner strictly liable; trespasser exception |
| SC - South Carolina | Strict Liability | S.C. Code § 47-3-110 | Provocation and trespasser exceptions |
| SD - South Dakota | One-Bite / Mixed | Common law + SDCL § 40-34 | Owner must have known of dangerous propensity |
| TN - Tennessee | One-Bite / Mixed | Tenn. Code § 44-8-413 | Owner must have known of dangerous propensity; strict for running at large |
| TX - Texas | One-Bite | Tex. Health & Safety Code § 822.005 | Must prove negligence or knowledge of prior dangerous behavior |
| UT - Utah | Strict Liability | Utah Code § 18-1-1 | Owner strictly liable regardless of prior knowledge |
| VT - Vermont | One-Bite / Mixed | 20 V.S.A. § 3546 | Must show owner failed to exercise due care |
| VA - Virginia | One-Bite | Va. Code § 3.2-6540 | Must prove owner knew dog was dangerous; strict for declared dangerous dogs |
| WA - Washington | Strict Liability | RCW § 16.08.040 | Owner liable regardless; provocation and trespasser exceptions |
| WV - West Virginia | Strict Liability | W. Va. Code § 19-20-13 | Owner strictly liable; trespasser and provocation defenses |
| WI - Wisconsin | Strict Liability | Wis. Stat. § 174.02 | Double damages for second bite; owner strictly liable |
| WY - Wyoming | One-Bite / Mixed | Common law | Owner must have known of dangerous propensity |
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and may not reflect the most recent legislative changes. Always verify current law with official state sources or consult a licensed attorney in the relevant jurisdiction.