Is your landlord responsible for a dog attack?

Dog Bites & Injuries,Firm News On Friday, December 1, 2017

Connecticut residents like you who live in an apartment or shared housing situation may also have to share your space with dogs. But if those dogs become violent and end up biting you, who is to blame? Is it the other tenant who owns the dog, or is it the landlord who allowed the dog to reside there?

According to The Balance, usually it’s the dog owner who is responsible for all actions of their dog. This is especially true if there has been no previously known aggressive behavior from the dog, or if any violent behavior has been hidden from the landlord.

There are some situations in which a landlord can be held responsible, however. Usually it involves three requirements. First of all, the landowner needs to be aware of the dog’s possibly violent tendencies. If they are aware, they need to have been able to remove the dog from the premise but chose not to take any actions against them. Finally, they must have some form of “ownership” over the dog even if they aren’t the dog’s owner. Example of harboring a dog, or partial ownership, includes:

  • Petsitting for the owner
  • Taking the dog on walks
  • Feeding the dog
  • Grooming the dog

If these requirements are met, then it’s possible for your landlord to be held accountable for your injury along with the actual owner of the dog. This may allow for you to gain more paths toward a larger compensation, which can be an asset if your attack has left you needing medical treatment.

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