Been Bitten by a Dog in Phoenix?

Dog bites can cause serious injuries — deep puncture wounds, torn muscles and tendons, nerve damage, broken bones (especially in children), and severe infections. Dog bite wounds are highly prone to bacterial infection, including Pasteurella, MRSA, and in rare cases, rabies.

Seek medical care right away, even if the bite seems minor. Deep tissue damage isn't always visible. A doctor will clean and evaluate the wound, determine if stitches or surgery are needed, prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection, and assess the need for a rabies vaccination series (if the dog's vaccination status is unknown).

For serious bites in the Phoenix area, Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, and Valleywise Health Medical Center are Level I trauma centers. Phoenix Children's Hospital handles pediatric dog bite cases. For less severe bites, urgent care centers throughout the Valley can provide prompt treatment.

Get the dog owner's name, address, and phone number. Ask whether the dog is current on its rabies vaccination — Arizona law requires dogs to be vaccinated against rabies (A.R.S. § 11-1014). If possible, get the dog's vaccination records.

If the owner isn't present or refuses to cooperate, try to photograph the dog, note the location, and ask witnesses if they can identify the dog or its owner. This information is critical for your claim and for public health reporting.

Arizona law requires that dog bites be reported to the county or local animal control authority. In the Phoenix metro area, contact Maricopa County Animal Care and Control at (602) 506-7387. For bites occurring within City of Phoenix limits, you can also report to the city's animal control division.

When you report, they will create an official record of the incident, place the dog under a mandatory 10-day quarantine to observe for rabies, and investigate the circumstances.

This report serves as important documentation for your claim. Request a copy of the bite report for your records.

Photograph your injuries immediately and continue photographing them as they heal (or worsen). Take daily photos for at least the first two weeks — dog bite wounds often look worse after a few days as swelling, bruising, and infection develop.

Photograph the location where the bite occurred, any torn clothing, and blood stains. Write down exactly what happened: where you were, what the dog did, whether the dog was on a leash, what the owner said or did, and the names and contact information of any witnesses.

Keep all medical records, bills, prescriptions, and documentation of missed work.

This is where Arizona law strongly favors dog bite victims. Under A.R.S. § 11-1025, the dog's owner is strictly liable for injuries caused by a dog bite, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous and regardless of where the bite occurred.

This means you do not have to prove the dog had a history of aggression. You do not have to prove the owner was negligent. Arizona has no "one-bite rule" — the owner is liable for the very first bite. The owner is liable whether the bite occurred in a public place, on someone else's private property, or on the owner's own property. There is no residential exclusion.

The only defenses available to the owner under A.R.S. § 11-1027 are provocation (the victim provoked the dog) and trespassing or criminal activity by the victim.

Critical deadline note: The strict liability statute under A.R.S. § 11-1025 has a one-year statute of limitations for strict liability claims specifically. However, negligence-based dog bite claims have the standard two-year statute of limitations (A.R.S. § 12-542). To preserve both legal theories, it is best practice to act within one year.

The dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance typically covers dog bite claims. Their insurance company will likely contact you and may offer a quick settlement. Do not accept it without legal advice.

Dog bite injuries often require ongoing treatment — wound care, plastic surgery for scarring (especially facial bites), physical therapy for hand or arm injuries, rabies vaccination series, and psychological treatment for trauma (particularly in children). The full cost of your treatment won't be clear for weeks or months.

Children are the most frequent victims of dog bites, and their injuries are often the most severe. Bites to the face, head, and neck are far more common in children because of their height relative to dogs. Dog bite facial injuries in children frequently require plastic surgery and can cause lasting scarring and psychological trauma.

Phoenix has over 200 public parks, many of which are dog-friendly. Dog parks and neighborhood parks are common settings for child dog bite incidents. If your child was bitten, seek immediate medical attention, report the bite to animal control, and consult an attorney — even if the dog owner is a neighbor or family friend.

Arizona's strict liability law makes dog bite cases more straightforward than in many other states — you don't have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. But insurance companies will still fight to minimize your compensation. They'll argue provocation, dispute the severity of your injuries, or try to settle before you know the full cost of treatment.

An experienced dog bite attorney can handle all communication with the insurance company, document the full extent of your injuries and future treatment needs, pursue compensation for scarring, disfigurement, and emotional trauma, and ensure you meet the one-year strict liability deadline.

Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency.