Roughly two-thirds of states hold a dog's owner strictly liable for a bite regardless of the animal's prior history; the rest follow some form of the "one-bite rule," which generally requires showing the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. Either way, several real exceptions can change the outcome. Pick a state below for a real answer, cited to the relevant law.
Each state page below identifies whether that state applies strict liability or the one-bite rule, cites the governing statute or common-law standard, and covers the real exceptions — trespassing, provocation, and prior owner knowledge — that can change who's actually liable. Every legal figure is tied to a cited source — see our methodology for how we verify each one.
Every state page provides general guidance only and is not legal advice. Figures are based on cited state statutes or common-law standards, verified per our methodology. Confirm how the law applies to your specific situation with a licensed attorney in your state before acting.