Tennessee’s dog bite laws are more layered than most people expect. If you were bitten by a dog in the Volunteer State, the legal path you can take depends heavily on where the attack happened — not just whether the dog had bitten before.
Understanding the one bite rule in Tennessee, how it interacts with the state’s strict liability statute, and what you need to prove can make the difference between recovering full compensation and walking away with nothing. This guide walks you through every key aspect of the law so you know exactly where you stand.
Does Tennessee Follow the One Bite Rule
The short answer is: yes, but only in specific situations. The term “one bite rule” often causes confusion among dog bite victims in Tennessee. Many people mistakenly believe that the law allows dog owners one free bite before they can be held liable for injuries their dog causes. While this concept has historical roots in common law, modern Tennessee law incorporates both statutory and common law principles that go beyond this simplistic notion.
In 2007, Tennessee passed the Dianna Acklen Act of 2007, T.C.A. § 44-8-413, establishing strict liability for canine-inflicted injuries under specific circumstances. The law was passed in response to the 2006 death of 60-year-old Dianna Acklen, who was killed by three dogs in a rural residential neighborhood while taking her regular walk. The Tennessee Legislature passed the Dianna Acklen Act of 2007, which abolished the first-bite rule…