What is the one bite rule?

The one bite rule is also known as the one free bite rule, and it allows dog owner to avoid liability for a dog bite when they claim to have had no knowledge of a dog’s violent tendencies. Washington is a strict liability state, so the dog owner is always liable for a dog bite unless a victim instigated a bite. State law specifically provides that a dog owner is liable for damages “regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.”