Dog Bites
Experienced Louisville Dog & Animal Bite Lawyers
If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog – or any animal – contact the attorneys of Murphy & Associates today at 502-473-6464 to see if you have a case.
In Kentucky the owner of a dog is strictly liable for damages caused by the dog. This means that if a dog bites someone, the dogs owner is liable. It does not matter whether the dog has never bitten anyone before, or that the dog is generally even tempered.
The person responsible for a dog bite can be the owner of the dog or the person who is keeping or caring for the dog (KRS 258.095(5)). A dog attack can mean a dog’s attempt to bite a human being. The only exception is for a person who is trespassing on the dog’s owner’s property.
KRS 258.095 and KRS 258.235 set forth that any owner whose dog is found to have caused damage to a person, livestock, or other property shall be responsible for that damage.
Who is responsible if a dog bites someone?
One question that comes up often is whether or not a landlord is responsible in a dog-bite case. Often vicious dogs are owned by renters who do not have insurance or money to pay for the damage done by a dog or animal bite. The Kentucky Supreme Court held that a landlord is responsible for the damage caused by a tenant’s dog if the attack occurs on the landlord’s property. However, if a dog runs off a property and attacks someone, the landlord is not responsible, just the owner. This case was Brandon Benningfield v. Zinsmeister, Ky. 2009-SC-0660. The court’s ruling should extend to all other types of animals. Animals of any kind can bite and cause damage to persons and property.
Contact an Experienced Louisville Personal Injury Lawyer at Murphy & Associates
Murphy & Associates PLC has represented many victims of Dog Bites. Often these cases can be difficult even in spite of the strict liability statutes in Kentucky. If you or someone you know has been injured by an Animal Bite contact the attorneys of Murphy & Associates today at 502-473-6464.
Schedule a free consultation.