After a dog bite, reporting the incident isn't just a formality — in Arizona it's the law, and it sets in motion a rabies quarantine that protects your health. It also creates an official record that can make or break your injury claim later. Here's how reporting works, who to call, and what happens to the dog.
Arizona law requires dog bites to be reported
Under A.R.S. § 11-1014.01, any dog bite must be reported to the county enforcement agent, and physicians who treat a bite are also required to report it. In practice this means you should notify your local animal control agency promptly — you don't have to wait for a doctor to do it, and you shouldn't.
Who to call
- Maricopa County (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Glendale): Maricopa County Animal Care & Control, 602-506-PETS (7387).
- Pima County (Tucson): Pima Animal Care Center.
- Emergencies: if the dog is still a threat or someone is seriously hurt, call 911 first.
When you call, give the date, location, a description of the dog, and the owner's information if you have it. If the bite already happened, see our step-by-step guide on what to do after a dog bite in Phoenix.
The mandatory rabies quarantine
Once a bite is reported, Arizona requires the biting animal to be quarantined and observed — typically for 10 days — to confirm it isn't showing signs of rabies. A dog with current rabies vaccination is often quarantined at the owner's home; an unvaccinated or stray dog may be held at a shelter. If the dog can't be located or its status can't be confirmed, your doctor may recommend post-exposure rabies treatment as a precaution. This is why identifying the dog quickly matters so much.
Why reporting strengthens your claim
A report creates independent, third-party documentation that the bite happened, when and where, who owned the dog, and whether the animal had prior incidents. Insurers take a documented, reported bite far more seriously than an uncorroborated account. A report can also reveal a history that supports a "dangerous dog" designation. None of this replaces Arizona's strict liability rule — under A.R.S. § 11-1025 the owner is liable even for a first bite — but it removes any doubt about the basic facts.
What happens to the dog
Beyond quarantine, a dog with a history of aggression can be declared "vicious" or "dangerous" under county ordinance, which can lead to containment requirements, muzzling, or in severe cases removal. Reporting is often what triggers that review — protecting the next potential victim.
Don't let the deadline pass
Reporting the bite and pursuing a claim are separate steps. You generally have two years to file a personal injury claim in Arizona — see our post on the Arizona statute of limitations. And when you're ready to understand what your case may be worth, see Arizona dog bite settlement amounts.
Our dog bite attorneys handle claims throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the East Valley on a contingency fee basis. No fee unless we win. Call (480) 418-SHER (7437) or reach out online for a free consultation.