What Happens If My Dog Bites Someone in Arizona?
At Negretti & Associates, as dog bite lawyers, we are often asked by friends and family what to do if their dog bites someone in Arizona — one of the states where we practice law.
While our law firm doesn’t do defense work, we thought it would be helpful to share some insights regarding Arizona dog bite law, from the perspective of the dog owner. After all, we’re dog owners, too!
What Happens If My Dog Bites Someone in Arizona?
If your dog bites someone in Arizona, there are three simple things you should do:
First and foremost, help the victim get medical attention.
Second, be prepared for a visit from animal control or your local police department. Officials may want to gather some information from you. They may also mandate that you quarantine your dog for a period of time.
Third, notify your homeowners insurance carrier of the incident. Your insurance company will take over handling the claim and even hire an attorney to defend you in the even that you get sued.
Does a Dog Have to Be Put Down If It Bites Someone in Arizona?
Not usually. Typically, dogs are not euthanized for biting someone, regardless of how devastating the injury might be.
However, if a dog has bitten multiple people and has been involved in multiple incidents, it is possible that the dog will be euthanized.
Can I Be Held Liable for My Dog Biting Someone in Arizona?
The short answer is “yes.” According to Arizona law, regardless of your dog’s dangerous propensities or lack thereof, you are responsible to someone who is bitten by your dog.
A.R.S. §11-1025, the Arizona Revised Statues law that controls dog bites, states:
There are, however, some possible defenses to dog bite claims. Provocation and trespassing are two most common. We discuss these defenses in greater detail in our article, “Dog Bite Cases: Top Three Defenses Used by Attorneys and Insurance Companies.”
Titled “Reasonable Provocation as Defense,” A.R.S. §11-1027 provides:
As for trespassing, A.R.S. §13-1502 and A.R.S. §13-1504 govern criminal trespass. Civil trespass is defined as a physical intrusion or entry upon the land or property belonging to someone else wherein causing damage to the property owner and/or his or her property.
Basically, if someone hops your fence and your dog bites that person, you may not be responsible.
Injured in a Dog Attack? Contact Negretti & Associates
If you have been injured in a dog attack, the dog bite lawyers in Arizona, California, and Colorado at Negretti & Associates can help you recover for your injuries. We know dog bite laws and are ready to help you navigate your case. You don’t have to figure things out on your own.
For a free initial review of your case, call us at (602) 531-3911 in Arizona, (619) 777-3370 in California, or (720) 636-3444 in Colorado. You can also contact us online or send us a text.
