Dog bite laws - Landlord Forum thread

Dog bite laws by Anonymous on July 24, 2012 @02:02

I have come across with dogbitlaw.com, and found it is excellent resource in finding state laws regarding this. State laws either impose statutory strict liability or "one bite free". You can find your own state below:

http://dogbitelaw.com/legal-rights-of-dog-bite-victims-in-usa/statutory-strict-liability-states.html

http://dogbitelaw.com/legal-rights-of-dog-bite-victims-in-usa/one-bite-states-and-mixed-dog-bite-statute-states.html

In each state law, you can further find the section regarding landlord's liability . In my state CO, case law has held that "a landlord would be liable for the dog's attack only if he actually knew, prior to entering into the lease, of the danger the dog presented."

I have allowed non-aggressive dogs in my property and have been lucky to not have any serious property damage or liability issue. I will be more proactive in the future. My new pet addendum states that if T's dog bites any person/animal, the lease will terminate.

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Re: Dog bite laws by outabout (Co) on July 24, 2012 @02:03	[ Reply ]

This is OP, just want to put my logon name there.

Re: Dog bite laws by Franklin (TN) on July 24, 2012 @08:43	[ Reply ]

Pretty sure your clause about terminating the lease isn't going to hold up if pressed. Even if it does, it's an idiotic clause to begin with. Hell, if the tenant wanted out of the lease early, they'll just have a friend complain that the dog bit them. Then they're out with no penalties and you're screwed. Get that clause out of there ASAP. You can't enforce it the way you want to and it can definitely be used against you.