Dog Bite Liability Explained

Summary

In New York, dog owners are generally liable for injuries caused by their dogs if they knew or should have known of the dogs vicious tendencies. Since its your sisters dog, liability may primarily fall on her. However, as the property owner, you could also face liability if you were aware of the dogs dangerous behavior. Document the incident, check your homeowners insurance for coverage, and consider consulting a local attorney for specific guidance.

Full Conversation

Christine
Hi Christine! How can I assist you with your legal issue today?
So my sister was visiting my house for a couple weeks and her dog bit a delivery driver yesterday. What is my liability here?
In New York, dog owners are generally liable for injuries caused by their dogs if they knew or should have known of the dog's vicious tendencies. Since it's your sister's dog, liability may primarily fall on her. However, as the property owner, you could also face liability if you were aware of the dog's dangerous behavior.
- Check your homeowner's insurance for coverage.
- Document the incident and circumstances.
- Consider consulting a local attorney for specific guidance.
Was the dog known to be aggressive?
Yes, the dog was aggressive before, but was wearing an electronic collar that prevented him from going * feet outside of the house. Also,there are two houses on this property. The address is the same for both houses *% of deliveries are put at my daughter’s house the bigger house at the front of the property Very rarely are deliveries brought to my house. This driver brought it up to my steps within the dog range.
Thanks for the details, Christine. Given the situation, it's crucial to determine if you or your sister were aware of the dog's aggressive behavior and if reasonable precautions were taken.
- Document any previous incidents or warnings.
- Review any warnings given to delivery services about the dog's presence.
Do you want to explore connecting with a local lawyer for more personalized guidance?
no thank you this is it for now thank you for your help
Case Rating: *
Christine, based on the information you provided, it seems like a potentially complex case due to the dog's known aggressive behavior and the shared property situation. If you change your mind and wish to seek legal advice in the future, feel free to reach out again. Take care!