If you were injured by a dog you were fostering, the question of who is legally responsible can be less clear than in a typical bite case. Arizona law treats caregivers differently depending on how long they kept the animal and who asked them to take it. Those details can shape every part of a claim.

A Tempe Foster Volunteer's Serious Injuries

A Tempe woman who had fostered dogs for about five years was attacked in her backyard in July by a dog she had cared for nearly a month. The bite tore an artery in her arm. She underwent emergency surgery, spent four days in the hospital, and still could not use her arms weeks later.

The county shelter had noted no concerning behavior before the dog was transferred to a rescue partner, according to reporting by Arizona's Family.

Who Counts as the Owner

Arizona holds a dog's owner liable when the dog bites someone who is lawfully in a public or private place. Prior viciousness does not matter. Neither does the owner's knowledge. The Arizona dog bite statute is short, but the word "owner" carries a lot of weight.

State law defines an owner as anyone who keeps an animal for more than six consecutive days. Read alone, that definition could make a longtime foster the legal owner of the dog that injured her.

The Shelter Exception

Lawmakers narrowed that definition in 2023. A person who keeps an animal at the request of a qualifying animal shelter, meaning a nonprofit humane or animal welfare organization, is no longer treated as its owner. The Legislature published the 2023 definition change online.

For foster volunteers, this is significant. It may keep responsibility with the organization that placed the dog rather than the person who took it home. Whether a particular rescue qualifies, and whether a signed volunteer agreement affects the claim, depends on the facts.

Records That Shape a Caregiver Claim

Caregiver cases often turn on paperwork and history. A Tempe, AZ dog bite injury lawyer will usually review:

  • The foster agreement, including any release language
  • Intake records, behavior notes, and veterinary history
  • What the organization knew and disclosed before placement
  • Insurance held by the rescue or shelter
  • Medical records describing the injury and expected recovery

Recovery Costs Go Beyond the ER

Severe bites rarely end with one surgery. Nerve and tendon damage can require further procedures, and months of occupational therapy are common. Some people need daily help at home. When both arms are affected, returning to work may not be possible for some time.

A Tempe dog bite injury lawyer can help account for those future costs, not only the bills already received.

Discussing Your Situation

If a dog you were caring for, or any dog, seriously injured you or a family member, Wyatt Injury Law Personal Injury Lawyers can review the circumstances and help you understand where responsibility may lie. Contact our office to discuss what happened.