Tempe Dog Bite Lawyer

Bitten by Someone Else's Dog in Tempe? Talk With a Dog Bite Lawyer

A dog bite lawyer in Tempe can explain Arizona's strict liability rule, which holds an owner responsible when a dog bites a person in a public place or someone who is lawfully on private property, without proof that the dog bit before (A.R.S. 11-1025). The deadline is short: 1 year for a strict liability claim and 2 years for negligence. Tempe's apartments, parks and campus streets put dogs and people in close contact. Your first call is a free case review.

Free case review Call (602) 584-8054

A dog barking behind a wrought iron front yard gate in a desert-landscaped yard

Strict liability rule: Owner liable if the victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property, no prior-bite proof; A.R.S. 11-1025
Filing deadline: 1 year for strict liability; 2 years for negligence; A.R.S. 12-541(5); 12-542
Children: The deadline is paused until age 18, then the normal period runs; A.R.S. 12-502

A large dog on a leash pulling toward the camera on a suburban sidewalk, owner's legs only

What a Dog Bite Lawyer in Tempe Explains About Strict Liability

Arizona does not make you prove that a dog had bitten before. If you were bitten in a public place, or while lawfully on private property, the owner is liable under A.R.S. 11-1025. That rule matters in a city like Tempe, where people live in apartment communities, walk to class and share parks and paths with dogs every day. ASU's Tempe campus alone enrolled more than 55,500 students in fall 2025, so a great many people on foot and on bikes pass dogs they have never met.

A dog bite injury lawyer in Tempe looks at three questions first. Where were you when the bite happened? Was the dog on a leash, tied up or loose? Who owns it, and what insurance does the owner have? The answers decide which claim fits and which deadline controls.

Arizona

Two Claims, Two Deadlines

The same bite can support two different claims, and the deadlines are not the same. Call early so we can tell which one fits.

Strict liability

The owner is liable when the victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property (A.R.S. 11-1025).
No proof of a prior bite is needed.
The deadline is 1 year (A.R.S. 12-541(5)).

Negligence

The claim rests on carelessness, such as an unsecured gate or an unleashed dog in a place where leashes are expected.
It may reach someone other than the owner, such as a landlord, depending on the facts.
The deadline is 2 years (A.R.S. 12-542).

Arizona

Tempe Places and Agencies That Matter After a Dog Attack

A dog bite claim often depends on the report, the animal's records and where the bite happened. These are the places and agencies that come up.

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control
Runs the East Shelter at 1920 S. Lewis in Mesa and the West Shelter at 2500 S. 27th Avenue in Phoenix, with no permanent facility listed in Tempe. Its website has a Report a Bite link.
Tempe Police Department
KJZZ reported in December 2017 that the city's anti-tethering ordinance would be enforced by Tempe Police, so an officer may be the first to take a report.
Tempe Town Lake paths and Tempe Beach Park
Shared by walkers, joggers, cyclists and people with dogs, in a setting where a loose dog can cause a fall as well as a bite.
Kiwanis Park and the neighborhoods around it
A busy community park that is home to The Cloud, Tempe's largest community splash pad, where children play near the walking paths.
Apartment communities near ASU
Dense housing where dogs live close to shared walkways, stairs and entrances.
HonorHealth Tempe Medical Center, 1500 S. Mill Ave
A 74 bed hospital with an emergency department. Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa and Chandler Regional Medical Center in Chandler are the closest Level I trauma centers.

Tempe's Tethering Ordinance and Your Claim

Tempe's anti-tethering ordinance took effect in January 2018. ABC15 reported that it was championed by a council member after a child was bitten by a tethered dog. Tethering is lawful only when all of these are true, and a violation can bring a $500 fine.

A large dog behind a short chain-link front yard fence in a Phoenix neighborhood, mid-bark, sidewalk in front

A person is physically present: The dog cannot be left tied up alone.
Food, water and shelter are provided: All three are required.
The temperature is between 45 and 85 degrees: Outside that range the dog may not be tethered.
An anti-tangle tether is used: The tether must be designed so that it does not wrap or snag.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Tempe

A dog bite personal injury lawyer in Tempe will ask about each of these. Take the steps as you are able, and if you are not sure the bite is serious, treat it as serious.

A loose dog with no leash crossing a neighborhood sidewalk toward a jogger seen from behind, morning

1
Get medical care.
Dog bites can be more serious than they look. Many injuries show no or seemingly minor symptoms at first.
2
Report the bite.
Tell the responding agency what happened and ask for the report number. Maricopa County Animal Care and Control accepts bite reports on its website.
3
Identify the dog and owner.
If safely possible, get the owner's name, address and the dog's description. Ask for the vaccination information and the owner's insurer.
4
Photograph everything.
Take pictures of the wound over several days, your torn clothes and the place where it happened, including any gate, fence or leash.
5
Do not agree to a recorded statement.
An early comment to an insurer can injure your legal rights. Call us at (602) 584-8054 first.

If a Child Was Bitten

A child's deadline is paused until age 18, and then the normal period runs (A.R.S. 12-502). The parents' own claim for the medical bills they paid is not paused. If a public entity is involved, a child's deadlines are paused too, with 180 days after the 18th birthday to serve the notice of claim, but the parents' notice of claim is due within 180 days of the injury (A.R.S. 12-821.01(D)). Families should not wait, and a dog bite attorney in Tempe can explain which clock applies to which claim. If the animal was not a dog, call us anyway, and an animal attack lawyer in Tempe will explain which rules apply.

A dog park fence with two dogs mid-play, dust kicked up, harsh afternoon light

Courts, Distance and Neighboring Cities

A dog bite lawsuit is filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, which has a Central Court Building at 201 W. Jefferson in Phoenix and a Southeast location at 222 E. Javelina Ave. in Mesa. The court's assignment rules decide where a case is heard, and we confirm that when we file. Our office is at 5635 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 170, Scottsdale, AZ 85250, about 7.7 miles by road from downtown Tempe, and we start by phone. A dog bite law firm for a Tempe injury should return your call promptly, and we explain costs on the first call: You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you.

For the details of the statute, read our guide to Arizona dog bite law. Bills can come with liens, and our medical liens guide explains them. We also handle dog bite claims in Mesa, Chandler and Scottsdale. The statewide rules are in our guide from an Arizona dog bite lawyer, and the city overview is on our personal injury lawyer in Tempe page.

Dog bites by city

Other practice areas in Tempe

Questions

Questions about Tempe dog bite cases

How long do I have to bring a dog bite claim in Tempe?

One year for a strict liability claim and two years for negligence (A.R.S. 12-541(5), 12-542). A child's clock is paused until age 18. These rules have exceptions, so call us and we will explain how they apply to you.

I was bitten at an apartment complex. Who is responsible?

The owner of the dog is liable if you were lawfully on the property (A.R.S. 11-1025). Depending on the facts, a landlord or property manager may also share responsibility.

The dog was tied up outside. Does Tempe's tethering ordinance matter?

It can. The ordinance allows tethering only with a person present, food, water, shelter, a temperature between 45 and 85 degrees and an anti-tangle tether, and a violation can bring a $500 fine. We review whether it was followed.

Where do I report a dog bite in Tempe?

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control has a Report a Bite link on its website, and Tempe Police may take a report. Ask whichever agency responds for the report number.

Which hospital treats a serious bite near Tempe?

HonorHealth Tempe Medical Center on South Mill Avenue has an emergency department. The closest Level I trauma centers are Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa and Chandler Regional Medical Center in Chandler, and emergency crews choose the destination.

What if I was partly at fault?

Arizona uses pure comparative fault, so a share of blame lowers your compensation instead of barring it (A.R.S. 12-2505). Insurance companies and attorneys often negotiate the percentage of fault.

Free case review

Talk With Us After a Dog Attack in Tempe

Call (602) 584-8054 or request your free case review. Our experienced and friendly attorney will explain your legal rights and what to do next. The earlier you call, the better, but it's never too late to find out your legal rights.

(602) 584-8054

Call any time. Office visits Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.