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Landlords can be Held Liable for their Tenants Vicious Dogs in some situations
By Michael Morse | September 25, 2008
There are some circumstances in which a court can hold a landlord responsible for harm caused by a tenant’s dog. Generally, landlord liability rests upon allowing the owner to keep the dog in the rental unit, whereas owner liability is based upon improperly controlling the dog.
Although state laws may differ, when it comes to holding a landlord liable for a tenant’s dog attack, it typically must be shown that the landlord knew before the incident that caused the harm that the tenant possessed a dangerous dog and the landlord failed to take proper precautions to prevent the dog from attacking someone. Many states hold that a landlord is put on notice that his tenant has a dangerous dog based solely on the dogs breed, as in where a tenant owns a Pit Bull, Great Dane, etc. Another basis for holding a landlord liable for an attack by a tenant’s dog is by showing that the dog exhibited prior violent tendencies. This may consist of the dog biting people in the tenant’s rental unit or snapping at other residents or visitors in the unit’s hallways or common areas.
For more information on dog bites and what to do if you are bitten by a dog in Michigan or Ohio, visit www.dogbite-attorneys.com.
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