Every jurisdiction in our dataset that gives 3 years to file a dog bite claim, with the governing statute.
Quick answer: 17 of 51 jurisdictions give 3 years for dog bite claims: Arkansas, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin.
Data last reviewed: October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
| State | Statute | Clock starts |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| District of Columbia | D.C. Code § 12-301(8) | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| Maryland | Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101 | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| Massachusetts | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2A | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| Michigan | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5805(2) | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| Mississippi | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49 | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-204 | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| New Hampshire | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4 | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| New Mexico | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-8 | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| New York | N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5) | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| North Carolina | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(5) | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| Rhode Island | R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b) | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| South Carolina | S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(5) | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| South Dakota | S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-14.1 | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| Vermont | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, § 512(4) | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| Washington | Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.080(2) | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
| Wisconsin | Wis. Stat. § 893.54(1m) | Date of bite, attack, or injury |
17 of 51 jurisdictions: Arkansas, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin.
Other states allow 1 year, 2 years, 4 years, 5 years, 6 years. See the links on this page for each group.
Not always. Many states pause or extend the clock for minors, for harm that is discovered late, or when the defendant hides the wrong, and claims against governments often require earlier notice. Check your state's page for its exceptions.