Am I Legally Responsible If My Dog Bites Someone?
It depends. If your dog does not have a past history of violent behavior, and your dog is in a place that he lawfully has a right to be and bites another person you will not be liable. However, if your dog has a past history of violent behavior and you know of that behavior and your dog bites another person you will most likely be liable. When you have knowledge of your dog's past violent behavior and your dog bites someone you will be considered absolutely liable. This means that you can be held liable for any injuries that your dog causes regardless of whether you were negligent in supervising your dog or whether there was any wrongdoing on your part. Simply knowing of your dog's past violent behavior is enough to impose liability if your dog bites someone.
In some cases liability may be imposed under the principles of general negligence even if a dog has no history of past violent behavior. However, these cases are rare and liability without knowledge of past violent behavior is usually only found if the owner is extremely negligent in caring for their dog, which resulted in the dog injuring another human being.
Other New York Pet Law FAQs
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Q:
What Is The Relevant Law In New York That Governs Pets And Animals?
A: The relevant law concerning animals and pets in the state of New York is contained in the New York Agriculture and Markets Law at the following sections: Agriculture … More -
Q:
What Does It Mean For My Dog To Have Violent Propensities?
A: A dog is usually considered to have violent propensities if it has bitten or attacked a human being or another animal without being provoked. A dog will also be … More -
Q:
My Dog Has Previously Attacked Someone Uprovoked, And Is A Dangerous Dog. My Friend Was Over And He Harrassing My Dog, And Dog Attacked And Injured Him, Am I Still Absolutely Liable?
A: It depends. You will still most likely be liable because you knew that your dog's past behavior made it likely that he would attack a human. However, when a dog with … More -
Q:
If My Dog Has Escaped From My Property And Injures Someone Am I Legally Responsible For Those Injuries?
A: The owner of a dog or other domestic animal has no legal obligation to keep their animal restrained so that it does not wander free from their property, unless the … More -
Q:
I Was Watching My Friend's Dog And He Bit Someone. Am I Legally Responsible?
A: It depends. The same rules apply as if it were your dog that bit someone. Therefore, if you knew the dog that you were watching after had a history of violent … More -
Q:
If My Horses Or Cattle Have Wandered From My Property And Caused Injury To Another Am I Legally Responsible For Those Injuries?
A: Yes. If horses, cattle or other large animals that are not commonly allowed to travel unattended in public are able to get free from your property, your negligence in … More -
Q:
As A Landlord, Am I Legally Responsible If One Of My Tenants' Dogs Attacks And Injuries Someone On My Property?
A: It depends. A landlord will only be liable to a person who has been injured by a tenant's dog if the landlord knew that the tenant's dog had violent propensities and … More -
Q:
Am I Liable For A Trespass If My Dog Wanders Onto The Land Of My Neighbor?
A: No. If your dog wanders upon the land of your neighbor by itself, and you have no knowledge that your dog has entered your neighbor's property you will not be liable … More -
Q:
If My Cattle Or Horses Wander Onto The Land Of My Neighbor Am I Liable For A Trespass?
A: Yes. Whether your neighbor's land is fenced or not you will be liable if any of your domestic animals, dogs being the exception, wander onto your neighbor's land. … More -
Q:
Am I Required To Fence In My Land So That My Cattle Do Not Wander Onto My Neighbor's Land?
A: Yes. However, you and your neighbor can agree that you will keep your prospective property lines open. If you and your neighbor agree to keep your property line … More
Pet Law Sub-categories
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Animal Burial Restrictions
Animal Cruelty Animal Welfare Act (AWA) Buying and Selling Dogs Dangerous Dogs Dog Bites |
Euthanasia
Lost and Found Dogs Noise Ordinance Pet Licensing Pooper Scooper Laws |
Dog Bites
