03 Jun Can You Get Arrested If Your Dog Bites Someone?
The first bite is accidental. The second bite is a crime. If your dog bites or injures someone else, that person can sue you in civil court. However, if your dog has a history of biting and is running loose or attacks someone, you could also get arrested.
In Arizona, dog owners are legally responsible for the actions of their dogs. This means that if your dog causes property damage or injuries, you can be sued for damages. However, if you deliberately order your dog to attack someone, you’re not just going to get sued—you could also be facing criminal charges.
Accidental Dog Bites vs. Assault with a Vicious Animal
Yes, you can get arrested if your dog bites someone—especially if your dog is known to be aggressive or has bitten someone in the past. In most cases, dog bites are accidental, because the dog reacted out of fear. However, commanding your dog to attack or letting a vicious dog run loose can be a crime.
ARS 13-1208 defines several situations where a dog attack qualifies as an assault:
- Intentionally causing a dog to bite or attack someone is a class 3 felony. (There are exceptions for self-defense or defending another person.)
- If you own a dog that is known to be vicious or has a history of biting, and they get loose and attack someone, it is a class 5 felony.
- If you own or care for a dog with a history of biting, and you fail to keep the dog secured, you can be charged with a class 1 misdemeanor.
For a misdemeanor conviction, you could be sentenced with 6 months in jail and a $2500 fine. A class 5 felony dog attack is aggravated assault, with up to 2.5 years in prison. A class 3 felony is even more serious, and could count as a dangerous crime, which eliminates the possibility of serving probation. Prison sentences for a class 3 felony conviction range from 5 to 15 years.
Are Dog Owners Always Held Responsible for Injuries?
There are certain situations where dog owners are not legally responsible for their dog’s actions. For example, if you can prove that the attack was provoked, you will not be held responsible. Or, if your dog attacks an intruder on your property, you won’t be held liable for their injuries.
Ordering your dog to attack someone else is not always a crime—it may be justified if you’re defending yourself or others. For example, if you are out walking your dog at night, and an armed robber threatens you, your dog is allowed to defend you. Or, if another person’s life is being threatened, you could order your dog to bite the attacker.
However, you could still get arrested for commanding a dog to attack. You’ll need to prove in court that you were acting in self-defense or attempting to save someone else from certain harm. These cases can be very difficult to prove, and you’ll need a lawyer who can help you collect the right evidence to build a strong defense.
Certified Defense Attorney in Phoenix
If you are facing criminal charges for a dog attack, or you got arrested because your dog bit someone, don’t rely on a court-appointed lawyer. With a certified defense attorney on your side, you’ll have a much better chance of proving your innocence or getting your case dismissed. For the best legal representation in the state, call Coolidge Law to schedule a consultation today.
Photo by ARTISTIC FRAMES on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 5/27/25.