Missoula, MontanaMissoula Dog Bite
Missoula Dog Bite Lawyers: Dog Attacks Inside City Limits, in Lolo, Frenchtown and Across Missoula County
Boland Aarab PLLP.
If a dog bit you or your child inside the City of Missoula, the owner is generally liable even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. Outside city limits, in places like Lolo, Frenchtown, Bonner or Seeley Lake, you can still recover, but you must prove the owner was careless. Most claims are paid by homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.
Key Takeaways
- Montana’s dog bite statute makes the owner liable for an unprovoked bite in an incorporated city or town, “regardless of the former viciousness of the dog” (§ 27-1-715, MCA).
- Missoula is the only incorporated city or town in Missoula County (Missoula County), so where the bite happened can change the whole case.
- Most injury claims must be filed within 3 years (§ 27-2-204, MCA).
Bitten by a dog in Missoula, or is your child hurt? Contact Boland Aarab PLLP for a free consultation at (406) 315-3737.
Why does it matter where in Missoula County the bite happened?
Because Montana’s strict-liability rule stops at the city limits, and in Missoula County there is only one city.
Missoula County covers about 2,600 square miles and includes communities such as Lolo, Frenchtown, Huson, Bonner, Milltown, East Missoula, Clinton, Evaro, Condon and Seeley Lake. According to the county, Missoula is the only incorporated city or town among them (Missoula County). That has a practical effect:
- Inside the City of Missoula, the owner of a dog that bites without provocation, while the person is in a public place or lawfully in a private place, is liable under § 27-1-715. There is no “one free bite.”
- In Lolo, Frenchtown, Orchard Homes or any other unincorporated area, the statute does not apply, even if the mailing address says “Missoula.” The claim rests on ordinary negligence (§ 27-1-701, MCA): proof that the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous, or failed to control it.
The city boundary in the Missoula valley is irregular, and neighborhoods on either side of it can look the same. We confirm the exact location against city boundary records before deciding which rule governs.
Where do dog bites happen around Missoula?
Missoula is a dog-heavy town with a strong trail culture, and bites happen in ordinary places:
- Sidewalks, yards and front porches, including mail carriers and delivery drivers, who are protected as people lawfully on private property.
- Trails and open space. Missoula’s trails and parks draw walkers, runners and cyclists alongside dogs. The city’s animal ordinance generally requires dogs to be leashed within city limits, outside designated off-leash areas, with no more than 6 feet of leash in use under Missoula Municipal Code 6.07.605, with some exceptions (City of Missoula, Title 6).
- Rental housing, where a tenant’s dog may bite a neighbor, a guest or a child in a shared yard.
- Rural properties outside the city, where a loose dog or a dog kept for guarding may attack a visitor, a runner or a cyclist on a county road.
A large dog that knocks down an older adult or a cyclist can cause fractures and head injuries without biting. The bite statute does not cover that injury, but a negligence claim may.
What happens after a dog bite in Missoula?
Medical care first. Dog bites often become infected, and deep punctures can damage nerves and tendons. Serious facial injuries, especially in children, may need a plastic surgeon. Seriously injured people are usually treated at Providence St. Patrick Hospital or Community Medical Center (DPHHS).
Report the bite. The City of Missoula tells bite victims to call Animal Control first, at (406) 541-7387. If Animal Control is not available, notify city police inside the city or the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office outside it, and call 911 in an emergency (City of Missoula FAQ). Missoula City-County Animal Control is located at 6700 Butler Creek Road. The city’s ordinance also requires anyone who knows of a bite to report it to the health department and Animal Control (MMC 6.07.1565). The report documents the bite, the rabies status of the dog and often its history.
Gather the facts. Identify the dog and its owner, photograph your injuries as they heal, photograph any open gate or broken fence, and get the names of neighbors who know the dog. Prior complaints to Animal Control can be important evidence, especially outside city limits.
Which court. A lawsuit can be filed in the Fourth Judicial District Court at the Missoula County Courthouse, 200 West Broadway (Missoula County District Court). Most dog bite cases involve local owners and stay in state court.
Montana law that applies
- Strict liability inside city limits for an unprovoked bite to a person or a service animal (§ 27-1-715, amended in 2025 to add service animals).
- Provocation is the defense written into the statute, and whether a child’s conduct was “provocation” is a question of fact.
- Negligence outside city limits (§ 27-1-701), with comparative fault (§ 27-1-702, MCA).
- Children: the time of minority generally is not counted toward the deadline (§ 27-2-401, MCA).
For insurance, children’s injuries and damages, see our Montana dog bite lawyer page.
Why hire a Great Falls firm for a Missoula case?
We are based in Great Falls and handle dog bite cases statewide. Many people hesitate to bring a claim against a neighbor, friend or landlord. In most cases the claim is paid by the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, and we handle it with care for the relationship. Our attorneys travel to Missoula for depositions, hearings and trial when a case requires it.
The Boland Aarab Way
- We try cases. Our firm has tried more than a dozen jury trials, and our attorneys have spent more than 4,000 hours in the courtroom.
- We protect verdicts. The Montana Supreme Court reinstated a $168,500 jury verdict for our client in Voegel v. Salsbery, 2023 MT 137.
- We know federal and appellate court. Our attorneys have handled more than 40 cases in the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana over nine years.
- You work with the lawyers. Caitlin Boland Aarab and Samir Aarab handle your case themselves.
We also handle Missoula premises liability and Missoula bicycle accident cases, and other Missoula personal injury claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a dog owner in Missoula automatically responsible for a bite? Inside the City of Missoula, generally yes, if the bite was unprovoked and you were in a public place or lawfully on private property. The dog’s past behavior does not matter under § 27-1-715.
I was bitten in Lolo (or Frenchtown). Does the same rule apply? No. Missoula is the only incorporated city in the county, so a bite in Lolo, Frenchtown or another unincorporated community is handled as a negligence claim.
Who do I report a dog bite to in Missoula? Call Missoula City-County Animal Control at (406) 541-7387. If it is unavailable, call city police inside the city or the Sheriff’s Office outside it, or 911 in an emergency.
A dog on a Missoula trail knocked me down but did not bite me. Do I have a claim? Possibly. The bite statute does not apply, but an owner who lets a dog run off leash where leashes are required may be negligent.
My child was bitten by a neighbor’s dog in Missoula. Will the claim hurt our neighbor? Usually the neighbor’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance pays the claim. A child’s claim should account for future scar revision and counseling.
Talk to a Missoula Dog Bite Lawyer
Contact Boland Aarab PLLP for a free consultation at (406) 315-3737.
Our attorneys: Caitlin Boland Aarab · Samir F. Aarab
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
