A dog bite can happen in seconds, but the consequences can last much longer. A bite may result in puncture wounds, infection, scarring, nerve damage, emotional distress, medical expenses, and missed work. When a dog owner leaves without providing identifying information, the situation can become even more difficult for the person who was bitten.
Arizona recently changed its law to address that problem.
Known as Arizona’s “Bite and Run Law,” Senate Bill 1241 amended A.R.S. § 11-1025 to require a person who owns or is responsible for the care of a dog that bites someone to provide the dog’s owner’s contact information to the person who suffered the bite. The law applies when the bite occurs in a public place or when the person bitten is lawfully on private property. The amendment took effect September 26, 2025.
The new information-sharing requirement is separate from Arizona’s existing dog bite liability law. Under A.R.S. § 11-1025, Arizona generally imposes liability on a dog owner when the statutory requirements are met, regardless of whether the dog previously displayed vicious behavior or whether the owner knew the dog was vicious.
What Is Arizona’s Bite and Run Law?
“Arizona Bite and Run Law” is an informal name for the 2025 change to Arizona’s dog bite statute. The official legislation is Senate Bill 1241, titled “animal bites; owner contact information.” The bill amended A.R.S. § 11-1025.
Under the amended statute, a person who owns or is responsible for the care of a dog that bites someone must provide the owner’s contact information to the person who suffered the dog bite.
The requirement applies when the injured person is:
- In or on a public place
- Lawfully in or on private property
- Lawfully on the property of the dog owner
The Arizona Legislature’s enacted version of SB 1241 added this requirement directly to A.R.S. § 11-1025.
The law became effective September 26, 2025. Maricopa County Animal Care & Control specifically identified the change as Arizona’s “Bite and Run Law” when the law took effect.
What Changed With SB 1241?
Arizona already had a strict liability law for dog bites before SB 1241.
The 2025 legislation added a different requirement: owner contact information must be provided to the person who was bitten.
This distinction is important.
The new law does not create Arizona’s underlying strict liability rule. Instead, it adds an obligation concerning the exchange of information following a qualifying dog bite.
The current version of A.R.S. § 11-1025 provides that the owner of a dog that bites a person in a public place or when the person is lawfully on private property is liable for damages suffered by the person bitten. The statute states that this applies regardless of the dog’s former viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of its viciousness.
The same statute now requires the person who owns or is responsible for caring for the dog to provide the owner’s contact information to the person who suffered the bite.
Does Arizona Have Strict Liability for Dog Bites?
Yes. Arizona’s dog bite statute generally imposes strict liability when the requirements of A.R.S. § 11-1025 are met.
The statute provides that the owner of a dog that bites a person is liable for damages when the person is in a public place or lawfully in a private place. The statute also states that liability applies regardless of the dog’s previous viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of its viciousness.
This means a person generally does not have to prove that:
- The dog previously bit someone
- The dog had previously acted aggressively
- The owner knew the dog was dangerous
However, Arizona law also recognizes provocation as a defense. A.R.S. § 11-1027 states that proof that the injured person provoked the attack can be a defense to an action for damages. The statute uses a reasonable-person standard when determining whether conduct or circumstances would be expected to provoke a dog.
Every dog bite case should therefore be evaluated based on its specific facts.
Where Does Arizona’s Dog Bite Law Apply?
A.R.S. § 11-1025 applies when the person bitten is in or on a public place or is lawfully in or on private property.
Arizona separately defines when a person is considered lawfully present on private property. Under A.R.S. § 11-1026, a person is lawfully on the private property of a dog owner when the person is an invitee or guest, or when performing a duty imposed by state or federal law or a municipal ordinance.
This can include situations involving people who are legally present at a residence or property for legitimate reasons.
The circumstances surrounding the person’s presence can still matter in an individual case.
What Should You Do If a Dog Bites You and the Owner Leaves?
If you are bitten by a dog and the owner leaves without providing contact information, focus first on your safety and medical care.
Then, preserve as much information about the incident as possible.
Get Medical Attention
Seek medical attention promptly after a dog bite.
Dog bites can cause more than visible wounds. Puncture wounds can become infected, and more serious injuries can involve tendons, nerves, muscles, or other structures.
Medical records can also document the nature and severity of the injury.
Keep copies of:
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Prescription information
- Follow-up appointments
- Photographs of your injuries
- Documentation of missed work
- Other expenses related to the injury
Report the Dog Bite
Arizona law has separate requirements concerning the reporting and handling of animals that bite people.
A.R.S. § 11-1014 states that an animal bite must be reported immediately to the county enforcement agent by any person with direct knowledge. The statute also contains quarantine requirements for biting animals.
For an unvaccinated dog or cat that bites a person, the statute generally requires confinement and quarantine for at least 10 days. A properly vaccinated dog may be quarantined at the owner’s home or another location under conditions established by the county enforcement agent.
Reporting the incident can also help authorities identify the animal and determine appropriate rabies-related procedures.
Document the Dog and the Scene
If it can be done safely, document information that could help identify the dog and its owner.
This might include:
- A photograph of the dog
- The dog’s approximate size, color, and breed or appearance
- The location where the bite occurred
- The owner’s vehicle or license plate information
- The owner’s name or contact information
- Names and contact information for witnesses
- Security camera locations
- Photographs of the surrounding area
Do not approach or attempt to capture an unfamiliar dog to obtain a photograph.
Ask for the Owner’s Contact Information
Under the amended A.R.S. § 11-1025, a person who owns or is responsible for the care of a dog that bites someone must provide the owner’s contact information to the person who suffered the bite when the statutory conditions apply.
If the owner provides the information, save it.
If the owner refuses or leaves before providing it, document what happened and provide that information when reporting the incident.
Can You Still Have a Dog Bite Claim If the Owner Leaves?
Yes, leaving the scene does not by itself eliminate the underlying civil liability established by Arizona’s dog bite statute.
A.R.S. § 11-1025 focuses on whether the dog bit the person under the circumstances covered by the statute. The statute provides for liability regardless of the dog’s previous viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of its viciousness.
The owner’s failure to provide contact information can make the situation more difficult, however.
Without the owner’s identity and contact information, an injured person may have a harder time determining who owns the dog, reporting the incident, identifying insurance information, or pursuing a potential claim.
That is one reason the 2025 amendment can be significant for Arizona dog bite victims.
Does the Dog’s Breed Matter?
Arizona law specifically provides that the breed of a dog may not be considered by a court or other listed legal decision-maker when determining whether a dog is aggressive or vicious or has created liability.
This means that simply identifying a dog as a particular breed does not determine whether an owner is liable for a bite.
The circumstances of the incident and the requirements of Arizona law remain important.
What If the Dog Never Bit Anyone Before?
A previous bite is not required to establish liability under A.R.S. § 11-1025.
Arizona’s statute expressly states that the owner can be liable regardless of the dog’s former viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of its viciousness.
This is different from a legal system that requires a victim to establish that an owner knew or should have known that a dog had dangerous tendencies.
Arizona’s statute provides a specific liability framework for dog bites.
What If I Was Bitten on Someone Else’s Property?
You may still have a claim if you were lawfully present on the property.
A.R.S. § 11-1025 specifically applies when a person is lawfully in or on private property, including the property of the dog owner.
A.R.S. § 11-1026 further explains when a person is considered lawfully present on private property. The statute includes invitees and guests, as well as people performing certain duties imposed by law or municipal ordinance.
The facts of each incident matter, particularly if there is a disagreement about why the person was on the property.
Can a Dog Owner Argue That the Victim Provoked the Dog?
Potentially.
Arizona law recognizes provocation as a defense to a dog bite claim.
A.R.S. § 11-1027 provides that proof of provocation by the injured person is a defense to an action for damages. Whether conduct or circumstances would reasonably be expected to provoke a dog is determined using a reasonable-person standard.
Because provocation is fact-specific, the circumstances immediately before the bite can be important.
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Arizona?
Arizona generally provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions.
A.R.S. § 12-542 states that actions for injuries to another person generally must be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrues, subject to applicable exceptions.
This does not mean someone who has been bitten should wait two years to take action.
Evidence can become more difficult to obtain over time. Witnesses may become harder to locate, surveillance footage may be overwritten, and important details about the incident may become less clear.
There can also be different deadlines in cases involving government entities or other special circumstances.
If you have suffered a serious dog bite injury, consider speaking with an attorney promptly about the deadlines that apply to your circumstances.
What Damages Can a Dog Bite Victim Recover?
A.R.S. § 11-1025 provides that an owner is liable for damages suffered by a person bitten when the statute applies.
The damages available in an individual case depend on the circumstances and the nature of the injuries.
A dog bite claim may involve losses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Physical pain
- Scarring
- Other injury-related losses
The severity and long-term effects of the injury can be important when evaluating a claim.
What If the Dog Owner Does Not Have Insurance?
Insurance coverage can be an important part of some dog bite claims, but coverage is not automatic.
A dog bite claim may involve a homeowner’s insurance policy, renter’s insurance, another liability policy, or other potential sources of recovery. Policy language, exclusions, the circumstances of the incident, and the identity of the responsible party can affect whether coverage is available.
An attorney can help investigate potential sources of compensation as part of evaluating a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona’s Bite and Run Law
When Did Arizona’s Bite and Run Law Take Effect?
Senate Bill 1241 amended A.R.S. § 11-1025, and the new owner-contact-information requirement became effective September 26, 2025. Maricopa County Animal Care & Control announced the change when it took effect.
What Is the Arizona Bite and Run Law?
The term “Bite and Run Law” refers to the 2025 amendment to A.R.S. § 11-1025. The law requires a person who owns or is responsible for caring for a dog that bites someone to provide the owner’s contact information to the person who suffered the bite when the statutory conditions apply.
Does Arizona Have a One-Bite Rule?
Arizona’s dog bite statute provides strict liability for qualifying dog bites. Under A.R.S. § 11-1025, the owner’s liability does not depend on whether the dog previously displayed vicious behavior or whether the owner knew of such behavior.
Does a Dog Have to Have a History of Biting?
No. A prior bite is not required under A.R.S. § 11-1025. The statute specifically provides liability regardless of the dog’s former viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of its viciousness.
What Information Must a Dog Owner Provide After a Bite?
The person who owns or is responsible for the care of the dog must provide the owner’s contact information to the person who suffered the bite when the circumstances described in A.R.S. § 11-1025 apply.
What If the Dog Owner Runs Away?
If a dog owner or person responsible for the dog leaves without providing the required contact information, document as much as possible about the person, dog, vehicle, location, and witnesses.
Report the bite to the appropriate county enforcement authority and seek medical attention.
Do I Have to Report a Dog Bite in Arizona?
Yes. A.R.S. § 11-1014 states that an animal bite must be reported immediately to the county enforcement agent by any person with direct knowledge. The statute also establishes quarantine requirements for certain biting animals.
Can I Sue If I Was Bitten While Visiting Someone’s Home?
Potentially. Arizona’s dog bite statute applies when a person is lawfully on private property, including the property of the dog owner. Arizona law also defines certain circumstances in which a person is considered lawfully present on private property.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Arizona?
Arizona generally provides two years for personal injury actions under A.R.S. § 12-542, subject to exceptions. Other deadlines can apply in certain circumstances, so it is important to evaluate the facts of an individual case.
Injured in a Dog Bite in Arizona?
A dog bite can leave you dealing with medical treatment, physical pain, scarring, lost income, and uncertainty about what happens next.
Arizona law provides specific protections for people injured by dog bites. The state’s strict liability statute can apply even when a dog has never bitten anyone before, and Arizona’s newer Bite and Run Law requires the owner or person responsible for the dog’s care to provide the owner’s contact information after a qualifying bite.
If you or someone you love has been injured by a dog bite in Phoenix or elsewhere in Arizona, Fielding Law can help you understand your legal options.
Call Fielding Law for a free, 24/7 consultation with no obligation at 833.88.SHARK.
Fielding Law, APC – Irvine, CA Office
505 Technology Dr Ste 250
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 288-5484
Fielding Law, APC – Phoenix, AZ Office
2 N Central Ave Ste 1800
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(859) 578-4444
Note: Information provided is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney for legal concerns.
