Dog bite law in all 50 states and D.C., cited to the statute and dated
Every state checked against its statutes, October 2026
What to do after a dog bite, filing deadlines, insurance claims, how injuries are valued, bites to children and attacks on pets, with the data behind each.
8 articles, newest first
Children are bitten more often and more severely than adults. CDC data, the child's and parents' claims, extra time to sue, and court approval of settlements.
Read more about Dog Bite to a Child: Injuries, Claims and Deadlines for MinorsWhen another dog injures or kills your pet: vet bills and market value, the state statutes that cover animals, dog parks, defending your dog and reporting.
Read more about Dog Attacked My Dog: Can I Sue the Owner?Homeowners and renters policies usually cover dog bites up to the liability limit. Breed exclusions, state breed laws, umbrella policies and dangerous-dog mandates.
Read more about Dog Bite Insurance: Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Dog Bites?The six dog bite levels of Dr. Ian Dunbar's scale, from a snap to a fatal attack, what the scale is not, and how state dangerous-dog laws measure injury instead.
Read more about Dog Bite Levels: The Dunbar Bite Scale and What the Law CountsNo public database of dog bite settlements exists. Here is what insurer data shows (average claim $65,450 in 2025), what drives value, and what comes off the top.
Read more about Dog Bite Settlement Amounts: What a Dog Bite Case Is WorthDog bite statistics from primary sources only: CDC injury and death data, 2025 insurance claims, USPS carrier attacks and who gets bitten, each figure dated.
Read more about Dog Bite Statistics: Injuries, Deaths, Claims and Mail Carrier AttacksTwo or three years in most states, one year in a few, six in others. Every state's deadline, when it starts, the rules for children and government claims.
Read more about Dog Bite Statute of Limitations by StateClean the wound, see a doctor, report the bite and confirm the dog's rabies status. The steps after a dog bite, with CDC guidance and each state's law and deadline.
Read more about What to Do After a Dog Bite: Medical, Legal and Insurance Steps
