Short answer: In the states below, a dog's owner can be liable when the dog bites or injures someone, even if the dog never bit anyone before. That's called strict liability. The exact rules differ: some states cover only people in public places or lawfully on private property, and most have exceptions for trespassers, provocation or people committing crimes. For owners, the bill usually goes to the liability coverage on a homeowners or renters policy, if the policy covers the dog.
Strict liability changes who has to prove what after a bite. It doesn't change your policy, so check whether your insurer covers your dog before something happens.
The table
| State | Owner liability rule | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Owner is liable for a bite in a public place or while the person is lawfully on private property, including the owner's, regardless of the dog's past behavior | Owner or caretaker must give contact information to the person bitten; breed can't be considered in deciding liability | A.R.S. §11-1025 |
| California | Owner is liable for a bite in a public place or while the person is lawfully on private property, including the owner's, regardless of the dog's past viciousness or the owner's knowledge | Limited exceptions for police and military dogs under a written agency policy | Cal. Civ. Code §3342 |
| Florida | Owner is liable for a bite in a public place or while the person is lawfully on private property, regardless of past viciousness | The bitten person's own negligence reduces damages by their share of fault. A prominent "Bad Dog" sign can limit liability, except for victims under 6 or when the owner was negligent | Fla. Stat. §767.04 |
| Iowa | Owner is liable for all damages when the dog is attacking or attempting to bite a person, or caught worrying, maiming or killing a domestic animal | Exception when the injured party was doing an unlawful act that directly contributed to the injury | Iowa Code §351.28 |
| Massachusetts | The owner or keeper (or a parent or guardian, if the owner is a minor) is liable for any damage a dog does to a person's body or property | Not liable if the injured person was trespassing, committing another tort, or teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog. A child under 7 is presumed not to have done so, and the owner has to prove otherwise | Mass. G.L. c. 140, § 155 |
| Michigan | Owner is liable for a bite without provocation while the person is on public property or lawfully on private property, regardless of past viciousness | Lawful presence includes invitees and licensees and people performing legal or postal duties, but not someone who entered to commit a crime | MCL 287.351 |
| Minnesota | If a dog, without provocation, attacks or injures someone acting peaceably where they may lawfully be, the owner is liable for the full amount of the injury | "Owner" includes anyone harboring or keeping the dog, but the owner is primarily liable | Minn. Stat. §347.22 |
| Nebraska | Owners are liable for any and all damages to any person, other than a trespasser, bitten by the dog, and for damage from the dog killing, wounding, injuring, worrying or chasing people or domestic animals | Exceptions for government agencies using dogs in military or police work in some situations | Neb. Rev. Stat. §54-601 |
| Ohio | The owner, keeper or harborer is liable for injury, death or loss caused by the dog | Not liable to someone who was committing or attempting criminal trespass or another crime (other than a minor misdemeanor) on the property, committing a crime against a person, or teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog on the property | Ohio Rev. Code §955.28(B) |
| Utah | Anyone who owns or keeps a dog is liable for injuries it causes, whether or not the dog is vicious or the owner knew it | Damages follow Utah's comparative fault rules. Exceptions for certified law enforcement dogs and handlers in some situations | Utah Code § 18-1-1 |
| Wisconsin | The owner is liable for the full amount of damages caused by the dog injuring a person, domestic animal or property, subject to comparative negligence rules | Double damages if the owner knew the dog had previously, without provocation, bitten a person hard enough to break the skin and cause permanent scarring or disfigurement | Wis. Stat. §174.02 |
We list only states where we read the official text ourselves in October 2026. A state that is missing is not covered here; check that state's statute or insurance department.
What dog owners should check
- Liability coverage on your home or renters policy. That's usually what responds to a bite claim.
- Dog or breed exclusions. Some policies exclude certain dogs or a dog with a bite history. Read your policy and ask.
- Your liability limit. Consider whether it's enough, and whether an umbrella policy makes sense.
- Tell your insurer the truth about the dogs in your home when you apply.
More in our dog bite liability insurance guide.
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Methodology
Each row was read from the official source linked in the Source column in October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. See also the state insurance rules hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is a strict liability dog bite state?
A state where the owner is liable for a bite regardless of the dog's history or the owner's knowledge of it. The states in the table above have statutes like this, each with its own exceptions.
Does homeowners insurance cover dog bites?
Often the liability part of a homeowners or renters policy covers bites, but some policies exclude certain dogs. Check your policy.
Does a Bad Dog sign help in Florida?
Under Fla. Stat. §767.04, a prominent sign can limit the owner's liability, except for victims under 6 or when the owner was negligent.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. Not legal, tax or financial advice, and not a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.