IF A CHILD IS BITTEN BY A DOG, IS THE DOG’S OWNER LIABLE?

Dogs are wonderful, but owning a dog involves responsibility not just to the dog, but to others as well. Nearly one in five people bitten by dogs require medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/features/dog-bite-prevention/index.html.

Under current Kentucky law, the owner of the dog would be strictly liable for the injuries to the child. Per Kentucky Revised Statute 258.235(4):

Any owner whose dog is found to have caused damage to a person, livestock, or other property shall be responsible for that damage.

Someone coming to the rescue of the child would not be liable to the dog’s owner, per KRS 258.235(1):

Any person, without liability, may kill or seize any dog which is observed attacking any person.

Dog bites can result in severe, disfiguring injuries. The legal and insurance issues involving dog bites aren’t always straightforward, and the statute of limitations in Kentucky for such personal injury is only one year. If you think you have a dog bite case, it’s best to consult an attorney soon.

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This is a blog post, not specific legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is intended or created.