Missouri Dog Bite Laws: Understanding The Basics (2026)

Missouri's Strict Liability Dog Bite Law

Missouri dog bite laws follow a strict liability doctrine, which means dog owners are responsible for the losses their animals cause, even if the dogs have never shown signs of aggression. With strict liability, you don’t have to establish that negligence on the part of the owner occurred.

When Dog Owners Are Liable for Injuries

Missouri dog bite laws state that the owner of a dog is responsible for the injuries the animal causes. There are only a few exceptions to this rule.

Defenses Dog Owners Can Use

Dog owners can rely on a few defenses if their pet attacks someone, including proving that the animal was provoked. If you did anything to anger, scare or otherwise upset the dog, you could be held partially or fully responsible for your own injuries.

The same is true if you were trespassing at the time of the attack, whether you were on public or private property. There may be exceptions to this trespassing rule if the case involves a child victim.

Missouri's Dangerous Dog Laws and Criminal Penalties

Missouri dog bite laws also address dangerous dogs. The state can penalize owners for keeping dogs that have previously bitten someone or have shown a tendency toward aggressiveness.

A dog is considered dangerous if it has previously bitten a person or domestic animal without provocation. The label of dangerous dog applies to dogs trained for animal fighting, too.

Keeping a dangerous dog in Missouri can mean facing a class B misdemeanor. If the animal causes a serious injury, the charge can be bumped up to a class A misdemeanor, and, if the attack results in a person’s death, the owner could face a felony charge.

If convicted, the owner could spend time in jail or prison and would need to pay a significant amount of money in fines. Additionally, the victim or their family could file a personal injury claim to recover losses.

Time Limits for Filing a Dog Bite Lawsuit

In Missouri, the statute of limitations is typically five years from the date of the attack. There could be exceptions to this deadline, though, so you should never wait that long to begin a claim.

Compensation You Can Recover After a Dog Attack

After you experience a dog attack and sustain injuries, you could file a claim to receive compensation for your losses. Economic damages address quantifiable losses, like the medical expenses you incurred. In instances when the injuries are severe enough to require ongoing medical care, you can receive coverage for these future expenses, too.

As part of economic damages, you can also obtain compensation for lost wages. You will likely need to miss work as you receive care and heal, which means not receiving the income you would have otherwise made. If you can’t return to work in the same capacity or at all, you can also receive compensation for loss of earning potential.

There are non-economic damages you can claim, too. These address the physical and emotional distress you experienced as a result of the dog bite, along with your loss of enjoyment of life if you can’t live the same way you used to.

Steps to Take After Being Bitten by a Dog

After being bitten by a dog, it’s essential to get immediate medical care. This could mean calling emergency services to the location or going to the hospital yourself.

Since you will need as much evidence as possible to show that the bite occurred and caused your injuries, it’s also a good idea to call the police to the site of the accident so that you have an official report.

Gather as much evidence from the scene as you can as well. Take pictures of the location, the dog, your injuries and anything else that shows how the bite occurred. If there were eyewitnesses, get their information, too.

As soon as you can, contact a Missouri personal injury lawyer to assist you. These are not simple cases, and you need knowledgeable and aggressive negotiators by your side.

Get Matched With an Experienced Dog Bite Attorney

If you have been bitten by a dog in Missouri, you need assistance from lawyers who have experience with these types of claims. At ConsumerShield, we can put you in contact with trusted attorneys in your area who can fight for your rights. Contact us to learn more about our services.