Just A General Question; Could I be liable for this?

[ImAti0n]

Well in my city just like any other city, it is a city ordinance to keep your dogs on a leash at all times.

Just tonight I was walking my dog and some idiot came speeding up in his piece of crap corvette. So he parks and lets his little rat out (chiuaua, I think thats the name of the small rat breed dogs I just had a brain fart) Anyways his dog comes running up barking at my dog and in my mind I'm like what the **** dude you have no idea who I am or who my dog is. What if my dog just attacked and killed your little rat cause you let it run wild without a leash on.

Could I be held liable for the death or "assault" on his dog if my GSD attacked his dog? Keep in mind even though my dog was on a leash and his dog was not and came running up barking?


Anyways sorry for the long post I was just wondering if I could be held liable for it. Thanks everyone.

[TitonsDad]

Nope. He broke ordinance.

[ImAti0n]

Originally Posted by TitonsDad

Nope. He broke ordinance.

That's what I thought. It just really irritates me because so many people let their little rat dogs off leash all the time where I live.

[Castlemaid]

We have a member on this board (though she hasn't posted since the changeover) who got sued because of such a scenario. Don't know if there was an ordonance in her town, but the legal action dragged on and on and I believe (may be wrong) that she did end up having to pay damages.

I think public opinion (harmless little purse-puppy vs big bad mean GSD) could play a bigger role in who is to blame than who was actually in control of their dog vs who wasn't.

[GSDBESTK9]

We have leash laws in my county, so as far as I know, you would not be at fault if YOUR dog was the one leashed.

[ImAti0n]

Originally Posted by GSDBESTK9

We have leash laws in my county, so as far as I know, you would not be at fault if YOUR dog was the one leashed.

Thats what I thought. And yes my dog is on a 6' leash with a pinch collar.

[middleofnowhere]

To get the real answer to this question you need to consult an attorney in your jurisdiction, not a BB!
Generally, yes, you can be held liable if your dog injurs another. There are two types of law suits that might apply - criminal & civil. A criminal case is much harder to bring (you need to get the prosecutor to file charges) but a civil suit just takes an attorney willing to take the case.

[janisinsc]

You can get sued by anyone for any reason. Whether they are successful is the question. Depending on your state, if they are unsuccessful, you MAY be able to recover your legal fees but it depends on your state laws. Bad news is it can be a long expensive drawn out process.

[Caledon]

There is a big difference between fault and responsiblity.

Was it your fault that the off leash dog got into your dog's face and your dog hurt him/her. No. Is it your responsiblity to pay for the damages that your dog caused. ? Who has the better lawyer?

If my off leash dog appraoched another an was attacked I would not be looking to the other owner for compensation. It was my fault, and my responsiblity because I let her off leash. I took the risk, I pay the price.

Not everyone has the same thought process though.

[smyke]

Originally Posted by Caledon

Not everyone has the same thought process though.

some people are so ignorant they will blame everybody in the world but themselves. regardless of what happens.

my guess is if there are laws in place and you obeyed them you should not be liable, but then again you better have some witnesses. it would be your word against the other party's.