Question 1

Dog bites: what is the law in Alabama?

Accepted Answer

Alabama makes owners liable for bites where the victim had a right to be, but owners may reduce damages by proving they had no reason to think the dog was dangerous.

Question 2

Dog bites: what is the law in Alaska?

Accepted Answer

Alaska has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.

Question 3

Dog bites: what is the law in Arizona?

Accepted Answer

Arizona has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 4

Dog bites: what is the law in Arkansas?

Accepted Answer

Arkansas has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.

Question 5

Dog bites: what is the law in California?

Accepted Answer

California has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for a bite even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 6

Dog bites: what is the law in Colorado?

Accepted Answer

Colorado’s strict liability applies only when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death; other bites follow ordinary negligence rules.

Question 7

Dog bites: what is the law in Connecticut?

Accepted Answer

Connecticut has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 8

Dog bites: what is the law in Delaware?

Accepted Answer

Delaware has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 9

Dog bites: what is the law in District of Columbia?

Accepted Answer

The District repealed its dog-bite statute in 2017, so liability follows the common law: the injured person generally has to show the owner was negligent or knew the dog was dangerous.

Question 10

Dog bites: what is the law in Florida?

Accepted Answer

Florida has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for a bite even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 11

Dog bites: what is the law in Georgia?

Accepted Answer

Georgia holds owners liable for dangerous dogs that are allowed to roam or are not kept under the restraint a local leash law requires.

Question 12

Dog bites: what is the law in Hawaii?

Accepted Answer

Hawaii has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 13

Dog bites: what is the law in Idaho?

Accepted Answer

Idaho has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.

Question 14

Dog bites: what is the law in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

Illinois has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 15

Dog bites: what is the law in Indiana?

Accepted Answer

Indiana has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for a bite even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 16

Dog bites: what is the law in Iowa?

Accepted Answer

Iowa has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 17

Dog bites: what is the law in Kansas?

Accepted Answer

Kansas has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.

Question 18

Dog bites: what is the law in Kentucky?

Accepted Answer

Kentucky has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 19

Dog bites: what is the law in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

Louisiana holds dog owners liable for injuries the owner could have prevented, unless the victim provoked the dog.

Question 20

Dog bites: what is the law in Maine?

Accepted Answer

Maine holds owners liable for injuries caused when the dog is off the owner’s premises.

Question 21

Dog bites: what is the law in Maryland?

Accepted Answer

Maryland presumes the owner knew the dog was dangerous; the owner can rebut that presumption. Owners are strictly liable when the dog was running at large.

Question 22

Dog bites: what is the law in Massachusetts?

Accepted Answer

Massachusetts has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 23

Dog bites: what is the law in Michigan?

Accepted Answer

Michigan has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for a bite even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 24

Dog bites: what is the law in Minnesota?

Accepted Answer

Minnesota has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 25

Dog bites: what is the law in Mississippi?

Accepted Answer

Mississippi has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.

Question 26

Dog bites: what is the law in Missouri?

Accepted Answer

Missouri has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 27

Dog bites: what is the law in Montana?

Accepted Answer

Montana’s strict liability covers bites in incorporated cities and towns only; elsewhere negligence rules apply.

Question 28

Dog bites: what is the law in Nebraska?

Accepted Answer

Nebraska has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 29

Dog bites: what is the law in Nevada?

Accepted Answer

Nevada has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.

Question 30

Dog bites: what is the law in New Hampshire?

Accepted Answer

New Hampshire has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 31

Dog bites: what is the law in New Jersey?

Accepted Answer

New Jersey has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for a bite even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 32

Dog bites: what is the law in New Mexico?

Accepted Answer

New Mexico has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.

Question 33

Dog bites: what is the law in New York?

Accepted Answer

New York has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.

Question 34

Dog bites: what is the law in North Carolina?

Accepted Answer

North Carolina’s statute only covers dogs over 6 months running at large at night; otherwise owners are liable mainly if they knew the dog was dangerous.

Question 35

Dog bites: what is the law in North Dakota?

Accepted Answer

North Dakota has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.

Question 36

Dog bites: what is the law in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Ohio has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 37

Dog bites: what is the law in Oklahoma?

Accepted Answer

Oklahoma has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 38

Dog bites: what is the law in Oregon?

Accepted Answer

Oregon holds owners strictly liable for economic damages (such as medical bills) caused by their dog; other damages follow negligence rules.

Question 39

Dog bites: what is the law in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

Pennsylvania makes owners pay the full medical costs of a bite; other damages generally require showing the owner knew of the danger.

Question 40

Dog bites: what is the law in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Rhode Island holds owners liable for injuries to people on the highway or outside the owner’s enclosure.

Question 41

Dog bites: what is the law in South Carolina?

Accepted Answer

South Carolina has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 42

Dog bites: what is the law in South Dakota?

Accepted Answer

South Dakota has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.

Question 43

Dog bites: what is the law in Tennessee?

Accepted Answer

Tennessee holds owners strictly liable for dogs running at large; on the owner’s property, the victim must show negligence.

Question 44

Dog bites: what is the law in Texas?

Accepted Answer

Texas has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.

Question 45

Dog bites: what is the law in Utah?

Accepted Answer

Utah has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 46

Dog bites: what is the law in Vermont?

Accepted Answer

Vermont has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.

Question 47

Dog bites: what is the law in Virginia?

Accepted Answer

Virginia has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.

Question 48

Dog bites: what is the law in Washington?

Accepted Answer

Washington has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for a bite even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 49

Dog bites: what is the law in West Virginia?

Accepted Answer

West Virginia holds owners liable for damage done by dogs running at large.

Question 50

Dog bites: what is the law in Wisconsin?

Accepted Answer

Wisconsin has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing.

Question 51

Dog bites: what is the law in Wyoming?

Accepted Answer

Wyoming has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.

State	Status	What the law says	Source
Alabama	Mixed — strict in some situations	Alabama makes owners liable for bites where the victim had a right to be, but owners may reduce damages by proving they had no reason to think the dog was dangerous. What it covers: Bite or injury Where: Vicious dog: Under 3-1-3, liability if owner/keeper allows dog to go at liberty (roam) or carelessly manages the animal. Dog bite: Under 3-6-1, a place where victim has a legal right to be or on owner's property only when defined in 3-6-2. Defences: There is a mitigation of strict liability for injury to persons. Section 3-6-3 states that the owner of such dog shall be entitled to plead and prove in mitigation of damages that he or she had no knowledge of any circumstances indicating such dog to be or to have been vicious or dangerous or mischievous. If so proved, owner is only liable for actual expenses incurred by the person so bitten or…	Ala. Code 1975 § 3-1-3 Ala. Code 1975 § 3-6-1
Alaska	"One-bite" rule / negligence	Alaska has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.	Official text
Arizona	Strict liability	Arizona has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Any injury to person or damage to property (11-1020) Dog bite (11-1025) Where: Dogs at large: Injury to any person or damage to any property by a dog while at large shall be the full responsibility of the dog owner or person or persons responsible for the dog when such damages were inflicted. (11-1020) Dog bite: On a public place or lawfully in or on a private place,… Defences: Police/military dogs: Dog used in military or police work when dog defending itself or assisting the agency: apprehending a suspect investigation of a crime execution of a warrant defense of a peace officer or another person (11-1025) Provocation: Proof of provocation of the attack by the person injured shall be a defense to the action for damages. The issue of provocation shall be determined by…	A. R. S. § 11-1020 A. R. S. § 11-1025 A. R. S. § 11-1027
Arkansas	"One-bite" rule / negligence	Arkansas has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.	Official text
California	Strict liability	California has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for a bite even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Bite only Where: In a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog Defences: Police/military dogs if the bite occurred while the dog was defending itself from an annoying, harassing, or provoking act, or assisting an employee of the agency in any of the following: in the apprehension or holding of a suspect where the employee has a reasonable suspicion of the suspect's involvement in criminal activity. in the investigation of a crime or possible crime in the execution of…	West's Ann. Cal. Civ. Code § 3342
Colorado	Mixed — strict in some situations	Colorado’s strict liability applies only when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death; other bites follow ordinary negligence rules. What it covers: Bite BUT ONLY if the person suffered serious bodily injury or death from being bitten by a dog Where: While lawfully on public or private property Defences: A dog owner shall not be liable: if the person bitten is unlawfully on public or private property (trespassing) if the person bitten is on property of the dog owner and the property is clearly and conspicuously marked with one or more posted signs stating "no trespassing" or "beware of dog" the dog is being used by a peace officer or military personnel in the performance of duties the person…	C. R. S. A. § 13-21-124
Connecticut	Strict liability	Connecticut has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Any damage to either the body or property of any person Note that here, “property” includes, but is not limited to, a companion animal, as defined in section 22–351a, and “the amount of such damage”, with respect to a companion animal, includes expenses of veterinary care, the fair monetary value… Where: Presumably any place Defences: Provocation, trespass, or tort: Exceptions if person damaged by dog was: committing a trespass or other tort teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog There is a presumption that a minor victim under 7 years old was not committing a trespass or other tort, or teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog. The burden of proof is on the defendant dog owner/caretaker to show that.	C. G. S. A. § 22-357
Delaware	Strict liability	Delaware has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Any injury, death or loss to person or property Where: Presumably any place Defences: Provocation, trespass, or criminal act: At the time of injury, death, or loss: was committing or attempting to commit a trespass or other criminal offense on the property of the owner was committing or attempting to commit a criminal offense against any person was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog (provocation)	16 Del.C. § 3053F
District of Columbia	"One-bite" rule / negligence	The District repealed its dog-bite statute in 2017, so liability follows the common law: the injured person generally has to show the owner was negligent or knew the dog was dangerous.	Official text
Florida	Strict liability	Florida has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for a bite even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Bite Where: Includes when a person is: in a public place, or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog A person is lawfully upon private property of such owner within the meaning of this act when the person is on such property in the performance of any duty imposed upon him or… Defences: Provocation and failure to post sign (for victims over 6): Any negligence on the part of the person bitten that is a proximate cause of the biting incident reduces the liability of the owner of the dog by the percentage that the bitten person's negligence contributed to the biting incident. The owner is not liable (except when victim is under the age of 6) if at the time of any such injury the…	West's F. S. A. § 767.04
Georgia	Mixed — strict in some situations	Georgia holds owners liable for dangerous dogs that are allowed to roam or are not kept under the restraint a local leash law requires. What it covers: Injury to another person Where: Carelessly allows the animal to go at liberty (or violates an ordinance or law requiring restraint - to "be at heel" according under this law) Defences: Provocation: "a person who does not provoke the injury by his own act."	Ga. Code Ann., § 51-2-7
Hawaii	Strict liability	Hawaii has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Personal or property damage to any person Where: Any place Defences: Trespass: Any owner or harborer of an animal shall not be liable for any civil damages resulting from actions of the animal occurring in or upon the premises of the owner or harborer where the person suffering either personal or property damage as a proximate result of the actions of the animal is found by the trier of fact intentionally or knowingly to have entered or remained in or upon such…	H R S § 663-9, § 663-9.1
Idaho	"One-bite" rule / negligence	Idaho has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.	Official text
Illinois	Strict liability	Illinois has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person Where: Peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be Defences: Provocation (and, by implication, trespass since only applies when person is lawfully in a place)	510 ILCS 5/16
Indiana	Strict liability	Indiana has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for a bite even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Bite Where: A person: (1) who is acting peaceably; and (2) who is in a location where the person may be required to be in order to discharge a duty imposed upon the person by: the laws of Indiana; the laws of the United States; or the postal regulations of the United States Defences: Provocation Trespassing (law requires victim be in a place lawfully)	IC 15-20-1-3
Iowa	Strict liability	Iowa has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: All damages done by the dog when the dog is caught in the action of worrying, maiming, or killing a domestic animal, or the dog is attacking or attempting to bite a person Where: Presumably any place Defences: Liable except when the party damaged is doing an unlawful act (Also has exception for dogs affected with hydrophobia unless owner had reasonable grounds to know of the infection.)	I. C. A. § 351.28
Kansas	"One-bite" rule / negligence	Kansas has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.	Official text
Kentucky	Strict liability	Kentucky has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Any owner whose dog is found to have caused damage to a person, livestock, or other property shall be responsible for that damage Where: Presumably any place Defences: Not provided in law	KRS § 258.235(4)
Louisiana	Mixed — strict in some situations	Louisiana holds dog owners liable for injuries the owner could have prevented, unless the victim provoked the dog. What it covers: The owner of a dog is strictly liable for damages for injuries to persons or property caused by the dog and which the owner could have prevented Where: Presumably any place Defences: Applies only to unprovoked injuries that dog owner could have prevented	LA C.C. Art. 2321
Maine	Mixed — strict in some situations	Maine holds owners liable for injuries caused when the dog is off the owner’s premises. What it covers: Injures a person Where: When not on the owner's or keeper's premises at the time of the injury Defences: Any fault on the part of the person injured may not reduce the damages recovered for physical injury to that person unless the court determines that the fault of the person injured exceeded the fault of the dog's keeper or owner. Applies only when not on owner or keeper's property.	7 M. R. S. A. § 3961
Maryland	Mixed — strict in some situations	Maryland presumes the owner knew the dog was dangerous; the owner can rebut that presumption. Owners are strictly liable when the dog was running at large. What it covers: Modified strict liability: "In an action against an owner of a dog for damages for personal injury or death caused by the dog, evidence that the dog caused the personal injury or death creates a rebuttable presumption that the owner knew or should have known that the dog had vicious or dangerous… Where: Presumably any place Defences: Provocation, trespass, and criminal act: Defenses apply only if the dog is running at large Committing or attempting to commit a trespass or other criminal offense on the property of the owner; Committing or attempting to commit a criminal offense against any person; or Teasing, tormenting, abusing, or provoking the dog.	MD Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings, § 3-1901
Massachusetts	Strict liability	Massachusetts has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Damage to either the body or property of any person Where: Presumably any place Defences: Provocation, trespass, and victim age: At the time such damage was sustained, person was: committing a trespass or other tort teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog If injured person was a minor under 7 at time of damage, it shall be presumed that such minor was not committing a trespass or other tort, or teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog; burden of proof shall be upon the defendant in…	M.G.L.A. 140 § 155
Michigan	Strict liability	Michigan has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for a bite even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Bite Where: While the person is on public property, or lawfully on private property, including the property of the owner of the dog, the owner of the dog Defences: Provocation Trespassing (law requires victim be in a place lawfully)	MCL 287.351
Minnesota	Strict liability	Minnesota has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Attacks or injures any person who is acting peaceably Owner of the dog is liable in damages to the person so attacked or injured to the full amount of the injury sustained Where: Any place where the person may lawfully be, Defences: Provocation Trespassing (law requires victim be in a place lawfully)	MSA 347.22
Mississippi	"One-bite" rule / negligence	Mississippi has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.	Official text
Missouri	Strict liability	Missouri has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Bite to person, or Damage to property or livestock Any person who is held liable under the provisions of subsection 1 shall pay a fine not exceeding $1000 Where: While such person is on public property, or lawfully on private property, including the property of the owner or possessor of the dog Defences: Provocation Trespassing (law requires victim be in a place lawfully) Also, if it is determined that the damaged party had fault in the incident, any damages owed by the owner or possessor of the biting dog shall be reduced by the same percentage that the damaged party's fault contributed to the incident.	V.A.M.S 273.036
Montana	Mixed — strict in some situations	Montana’s strict liability covers bites in incorporated cities and towns only; elsewhere negligence rules apply. What it covers: Bite to person Where: A public place or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, located within an incorporated city or town Defences: Provocation Trespassing (law requires victim be in a place lawfully) Outside incorporated city or town	MCA 27-1-715
Nebraska	Strict liability	Nebraska has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Any and all damages to: any person, other than a trespasser, by reason of having been bitten by any such dog or dogs; any person, firm, or corporation by reason of such dog or dogs killing, wounding, injuring, worrying, or chasing any person or persons or any sheep or other domestic animals… Where: Presumably any place where person has legal right to be Defences: Trespass Police dog: Governmental agency or its employees using a dog in military or police work under the details listed in the statute.	Neb. Rev. St § 54-601
Nevada	"One-bite" rule / negligence	Nevada has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.	Official text
New Hampshire	Strict liability	New Hampshire has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Damage to person or property, including sheep, lambs, fowl, or other domestic creatures Where: Presumably any place Defences: Trespass and torts: A person who was engaged in the commission of a trespass or other tort	N.H. Rev. Stat. § 466:19
New Jersey	Strict liability	New Jersey has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for a bite even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Bite to person Where: While such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog Defences: Trespass: Not provided, but trespass is implied by the law (i.e., not lawfully in a place)	N. J. S. A. 4:19-16
New Mexico	"One-bite" rule / negligence	New Mexico has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.	Official text
New York	"One-bite" rule / negligence	New York has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.	Official text
North Carolina	Mixed — strict in some situations	North Carolina’s statute only covers dogs over 6 months running at large at night; otherwise owners are liable mainly if they knew the dog was dangerous. What it covers: Liable in damages to any person injured or suffering loss to his property or chattels Where: Presumably any place Defences: Not specifically provided, but law only applies to dogs running at large during night	N.C.G.S.A. § 67-12
North Dakota	"One-bite" rule / negligence	North Dakota has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.	Official text
Ohio	Strict liability	Ohio has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Liable in damages for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that is caused by the dog Also includes individual who, at the time of the injury, was on the property of the owner solely for the purpose of engaging in door-to-door sales or other solicitations regardless of whether the… Where: Presumably any place Defences: Provocation, trespass, and some criminal acts: Individual who, at the time, was committing or attempting to commit: criminal trespass; another criminal offense other than a minor misdemeanor on the property of the owner, keeper, or harborer, a criminal offense other than a minor misdemeanor against any person; or was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog on the owner's, keeper's, or harborer's…	RC § 955.28
Oklahoma	Strict liability	Oklahoma has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Bites or injures any person Where: While such person is in or on a place where he has a lawful right to be. Defences: Provocation Trespassing (law requires victim be in a place lawfully)	4 Okl.St.Ann. § 42.1
Oregon	Mixed — strict in some situations	Oregon holds owners strictly liable for economic damages (such as medical bills) caused by their dog; other damages follow negligence rules. What it covers: Injury caused by a dog Where: Presumably any place Defences: This section does not prevent the owner of a dog that caused an injury from asserting that the dog was provoked, or from asserting any other defense that may be available to the owner.	O. R. S. § 31.360
Pennsylvania	Mixed — strict in some situations	Pennsylvania makes owners pay the full medical costs of a bite; other damages generally require showing the owner knew of the danger. What it covers: Any cost to the victim for medical treatment resulting from an attacking or biting dog must be paid fully by the owner or keeper of the dog. Where: Presumably any place Defences: Not provided in law	3 P.S. § 459-502
Rhode Island	Mixed — strict in some situations	Rhode Island holds owners liable for injuries to people on the highway or outside the owner’s enclosure. What it covers: Kills, wounds, worries, or assists in killing, wounding or worrying, any OWNED sheep, lamb, cattle, horse, hog, swine, fowl, or other domestic animal Assaults, bites, or otherwise injures any person while traveling the highway or out of the enclosure of the owner or keeper of that dog Where: According to sources, "the clause 'while traveling on the highway or out of the enclosure of the owner or keeper of such dog' modifies the word 'person' and not the word 'dog.' " Wilbur v. Gross, 55 R.I. 473, 478, 182 A. 597, 599 (1936). Thus, the law applies when the dog is outside the… Defences: Not provided in law (but law assumes outside of enclosure in owner's yard)	Gen. Laws, 1956, § 4-13-16
South Carolina	Strict liability	South Carolina has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Bitten by dog or otherwise attacked Where: In a public place or is lawfully in a private place, including the property of the dog owner or person having the dog in the person's care or keeping Defences: Provocation: the person who was attacked provoked or harassed the dog and that provocation was the proximate cause of the attack. Police dog: the dog was working in a law enforcement capacity with a governmental agency and in the performance of the dog's official duties and meets other requirements.	Code 1976 § 47-3-110
South Dakota	"One-bite" rule / negligence	South Dakota has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.	Official text
Tennessee	Mixed — strict in some situations	Tennessee holds owners strictly liable for dogs running at large; on the owner’s property, the victim must show negligence. What it covers: Any damages suffered by a person who is injured by the dog Where: While in a public place or lawfully in or on the private property of another (negligence applies if on the dog owner/keeper's property) Defences: The dog is a police or military dog, the injury occurred during the course of the dog's official duties and the person injured was a party to, a participant in or suspected of being a party to or participant in the act or conduct that prompted the police or military to utilize the services of the dog; The injured person was trespassing upon the private, nonresidential property of the dog's owner;…	T. C. A. §44-8-413
Texas	"One-bite" rule / negligence	Texas has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.	Official text
Utah	Strict liability	Utah has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Any injury Where: Presumably any place Defences: Police dog: Neither the state nor any county, city, or town in the state nor any peace officer employed by any of them shall be liable in damages for injury committed by a dog, if: (a) the dog has been trained to assist in law enforcement; and (b) the injury occurs while the dog is reasonably and carefully being used in the apprehension, arrest, or location of a suspected offender or in…	U.C.A. 1953 § 18-1-1
Vermont	"One-bite" rule / negligence	Vermont has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.	Official text
Virginia	"One-bite" rule / negligence	Virginia has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.	Official text
Washington	Strict liability	Washington has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for a bite even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Bite Where: While in or on a public place or lawfully in or on a private place including the property of the owner of such dog Defences: Police dog: This section does not apply to the lawful application of a police dog, as defined in RCW 4.24.410	West's RCWA 16.08.040
West Virginia	Mixed — strict in some situations	West Virginia holds owners liable for damage done by dogs running at large. What it covers: Any damage to person or property of another Where: Presumably any place but owner's property Defences: Not provided in law, but dog must be running at large	W. Va. Code, § 19-20-13
Wisconsin	Strict liability	Wisconsin has a strict liability statute: the owner is liable for injuries the dog causes even if the dog had never shown aggression before. Common defences are provocation and trespassing. What it covers: Any injury to a person, domestic animal or property Where: Presumably any place Defences: Police dog: The owner of a dog that is used by a law enforcement agency is not liable for damages caused by the dog to a crime suspect while the dog is performing law enforcement functions.	W. S. A. 174.02
Wyoming	"One-bite" rule / negligence	Wyoming has no dog-bite strict liability statute. Under the “one-bite” rule and negligence law, an injured person usually has to show the owner knew — or should have known — the dog was dangerous, or was careless in controlling it.	Official text

⚖️ Dog Bite Liability Laws by State

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⚖️ Dog Bite Liability Laws by State

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