Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Alabama

Leash laws

Three weeks ago while my daughter (17) was walking our dogs, 2 small dogs who were offleash ran up to my dogs and one was bit and injured mildly by one of my dogs. The owner is now threatening to sue me for a small fee vet bill and alleged missed wages. She came to my residence and claiming that my dog is vicious and she is requesting animal services deem her ''dangerous'' and under the cities new ''dangerous animal'' ordinance haver her euthanized. My question is this.....exactly how responsible am I if my dogs were restrained and on public property at the time of the incident? Incidently, my dogs were both in chest harnesses.


Asked on 5/20/09, 6:40 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Richard Jensen Richard D. Jensen, Attorney at Law

Re: Leash laws

Alabama has historically had a "one free bite" rule, that means that you can't be held liable if your dog bites for the first time. You will need to consult a lawyer to have him research if that rule is still as solid as it was in the past. Also, your dog was leashed and the other dog wasn't. If you are sued, a lawyer will know how to apply the law of contributory negligence to win your case.

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Answered on 5/20/09, 10:24 pm


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