A dog bite happens fast, and the minutes and days that follow can feel like a blur — pain, adrenaline, and a lot of questions about what you're supposed to do next. The steps you take right after a bite protect two things at once: your health and your right to compensation. Here's exactly what to do if you're bitten by a dog anywhere in the Phoenix metro area.
1. Get medical care immediately
Even a bite that looks minor can drive bacteria deep into the tissue, and infection is one of the most common — and most serious — complications of a dog bite. Go to an urgent care, an ER, or your doctor the same day. If the bite is severe, bleeding heavily, or on the face, hands, or a child, call 911. Beyond your health, prompt treatment creates a medical record that ties your injury directly to the bite, which matters a great deal later. See our post on dog bite infection compensation in Arizona.
2. Identify the dog and its owner
Get the owner's name, address, and phone number, and ask whether the dog is current on its rabies vaccination. If the dog is a stray or you can't identify the owner, note where it happened and any distinguishing features. Rabies risk is the reason this step is urgent — if the vaccination status can't be confirmed, your doctor may recommend post-exposure treatment.
3. Report the bite to Maricopa County
Arizona law requires dog bites to be reported. In Phoenix and across the county, report the bite to Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (602-506-PETS). Reporting triggers a rabies quarantine of the animal and creates an official record of the incident. That report becomes independent documentation that the bite occurred, who owned the dog, and whether the animal had a history — all of which strengthen your claim.
4. Document everything
- Photograph your injuries the same day, then again as they heal (and scar).
- Photograph the location, and the dog if you safely can.
- Get names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
- Keep every medical bill, receipt, and record.
- Write down what happened while it's fresh — where you were, what the dog did, what the owner said.
5. Don't give a recorded statement to the insurer yet
The owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance usually pays dog bite claims, so an adjuster may contact you quickly. You are not required to give a recorded statement, and doing so before you understand the full extent of your injuries can be used to minimize your payout. Be polite, but don't settle or sign anything early.
Why Arizona law is on your side
Arizona is a strict liability state for dog bites. Under A.R.S. § 11-1025, the owner is liable if their dog bites you while you're in a public place or lawfully on private property — you do not have to prove the dog had bitten before or that the owner was careless. The bite itself establishes liability. Read our full explainer on Arizona's strict liability dog bite law.
Know the deadline
You generally have two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury claim in Arizona (A.R.S. § 12-542). There's also a shorter one-year window for a separate strict-liability claim under the statute, which is why acting early matters. See our post on the Arizona personal injury statute of limitations.
What your claim may be worth
Compensation depends on the severity of the bite, medical costs, lost income, scarring, and emotional trauma. For a sense of the ranges, see Arizona dog bite settlement amounts and compensation for scarring and disfigurement.
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.