It may also depend on whether there have been complaints. If your tenant has a pit bull, for example, and you are not aware of it, and the dog attacks someone, then your risk is probably low (although you would probably be named in a suit anyway). Likewise, if its a poodle and you know about it, but since it is just a poodle you think its okay, and one day it ups and bites someone, then too your risk should be low. If you know they have the pitbull, but there have been no complaints, your probably in the middle somewhere in risk levels. However, if you know they have the pitbull, have had neighbors complain about its viciousness, and you allow it to remain, you're probably wide open and directly in the line of fire.
There was a person either mamed or killed by a dog in an apartment complex a few years back that made a lot of headlines. I believe, although this is foggy memory, that the apartment building owner was found liable because there had been complaints about the dog to the landlord and nothing was done about it.
Interesting fact: For whatever reason, dogbite cases are widely reported and a quick search on probably any search engine will unearth a number of reported DB decisions.
Hey,
Anyone COULD be liable. The tenant, the landlord, the company that makes the dog's leash, the dog food maker, etc.
Most likely, the tenant, and only the tenant, would be liable.
There are some cavaets to this...if YOU have the strong believe that the dog would attack a neighbor, than you could be liable.
It may also depend on whether there have been complaints. If your tenant has a pit bull, for example, and you are not aware of it, and the dog attacks someone, then your risk is probably low (although you would probably be named in a suit anyway). Likewise, if its a poodle and you know about it, but since it is just a poodle you think its okay, and one day it ups and bites someone, then too your risk should be low. If you know they have the pitbull, but there have been no complaints, your probably in the middle somewhere in risk levels. However, if you know they have the pitbull, have had neighbors complain about its viciousness, and you allow it to remain, you're probably wide open and directly in the line of fire.
There was a person either mamed or killed by a dog in an apartment complex a few years back that made a lot of headlines. I believe, although this is foggy memory, that the apartment building owner was found liable because there had been complaints about the dog to the landlord and nothing was done about it.
Thanks Bruce and Hrparks
if they are trying to sue . the attny. will go after the one that he can prove liable that has money. ............km
Interesting fact: For whatever reason, dogbite cases are widely reported and a quick search on probably any search engine will unearth a number of reported DB decisions.