Dog bite.
Strict liability.
Missouri is a strict-liability state for dog bites under RSMo §273.036. The owner is responsible whether or not the dog had any prior history of aggression — the “one-bite rule” that protects owners in many states does not apply here. Most dog-bite settlements are paid by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance, which means recovery is straightforward in clear cases.
Missouri's strict-liability dog bite statute
- Under RSMo §273.036, a dog owner is strictly liable for damages caused by their dog biting a person who is on public property, or lawfully on private property (including the owner's property).
- Strict liability means the victim does NOT need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Liability attaches on the bite itself.
- There are limited defenses — provocation by the victim is the most common, and trespassing can be a complete defense.
- Missouri's statute applies only to bites. Other injuries (knocked down, scratched) are governed by general negligence rules and require proof of the owner's knowledge of the dog's tendencies.
First steps after a Missouri dog bite
- Get medical care immediately. Dog bites carry high infection risk. Rabies prophylaxis decisions are time-sensitive.
- Photograph the wounds at the scene, then again at 24, 48, 72 hours as bruising develops. Scarring documentation is critical for damages.
- Identify the owner and the dog. Name, address, dog name, breed, vaccination status. Get insurance information.
- Report the bite to local animal control. This creates a permanent record and triggers the 10-day rabies-observation period.
- Save your clothing in the torn condition.
- Get witness contact information.
What we handle
- Bites occurring on public property (parks, sidewalks, streets)
- Bites at the dog owner's home (visitor, delivery driver, child)
- Bites at apartment complexes (both owner liability and landlord liability where dog has a known history)
- Postal and delivery worker bite claims
- Bites involving multiple defendants (owner, landlord, dog walker, kennel)
- Children's cases (where damages models are more complex)
- Catastrophic injury and disfigurement cases including reconstructive surgery and scar revision
- Wrongful death dog mauling cases
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for a Missouri dog bite case?
Almost always the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Standard policies cover dog bites unless a specific breed-exclusion endorsement applies. The owner is not personally on the hook unless they are uninsured.
Is Missouri a one-bite state?
No. Missouri abolished the one-bite rule in 2009 with the enactment of RSMo §273.036. The dog’s prior history is irrelevant to liability. The owner is strictly liable on the first bite.
How long do I have to file a Missouri dog bite case?
Five years from the date of the bite under RSMo §516.120. But you should call sooner — insurance carriers handle clean dog-bite cases efficiently when there is recent medical documentation.
How much is a Missouri dog bite case worth?
Dog-bite case value depends on the severity of the bite, scarring (especially facial), the need for reconstructive surgery, age of the victim, lost wages, and the owner’s available homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Strict liability under RSMo §273.036 helps prove the owner is responsible, but the dollar value still depends on the specific facts. No lawyer can give a meaningful number without reviewing the medical records and the applicable policy. Every case is different and past results do not predict future outcomes.
What if the dog owner says I provoked the dog?
Provocation is the most common defense and it must be more than incidental contact. Petting the dog, walking past it, or even briefly startling it is not legal provocation. Pulling its tail or hitting it could be. We litigate this on the facts and the evidence.