Random Question If a burglar comes into your home and your dog bites him. Can the burglar sue the family or have animal control take away your dog? I've read stories where a burglar tripped or something and hurt himself while stealing things at someone home. And then after getting arrested, he sued the family he was burglarizing. Just one of those random questions that's been floating in my head... |
Wow...great question. My guess is that, yes, I bet a burglar could sue you for an animal bite etcetera. Can you imagine? The whole burglar being able to sue thing is one of the craziest things ever. |
They could sue for anything but I doubt they would win:) |
Hmmm....These days sadly it's probably NOT past the realm of possibility, However if we put up a *beware of dog* they might not win! |
I remember a story here locally that a woman sued a store for tripping over an out of control child. It was her own child that she tripped over. Can't recall if she won or not though. |
He could probably sue but what jury in its right mind would penalize a dog's family for his trying to protect them? Most dog bites are not actually maiming or limb or life threatening so the total damages and payout would likely be minimal at most, even if a jury found for the plaintiff. I'd call my non-emergency police number, Animal Control and the mayor's or D.A.'s office and ask them what the laws are in your city or county. Unless you were neglecting your dog somehow, AC would have to have a reason for taking your dog other than its attempting to save his family from the terror of a B&E in their own home on their own premises. If the dog actually savaged an intruder and seriously injured him or killed him, maybe AC could remove him from the community as a dangerous dog. I have a Beware of Dog sign in my front and back parts of the house just because I house a dog and also as a notice to visitors. It also serves to alert Fire and Police there is a dog inside should they ever need to enter under urgent/emergent circumstances. I've read that some burglars won't even consider trying to enter a home where they have reason to believe a dog lives, even a toy dog. |
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Your best bets to protect yourself are to keep your dog in a fenced/ gated area and displaying beware of dog signs, then trespassers crossing onto your property are assuming the risk. Are you a homeowner or renter? Make sure your dog is listed on your insurance policy. A basic mistake many people make is getting a dog and failing to notify their homeowners insurance, which is the deep pocket someone will go after if they sue. Any minor addition to your premium is worth the coverage. Of course, some dogs are excluded from policies based on breed and/or prior behavior. ZoE was interviewed by my insurance agent before being added to my policy. It took a tiny bit of my time scheduling & attending the interview but it significantly reduced the price on a year premium. I thought it kind of ridiculous at the time, but my agent said they get a lot more claims filed from small dog bites. |
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Being sued is one thing but I don't want my furbies taken away. I think that's my biggest fear. :( I'm going to get the beware of dog signs to post around my house as well as my office. |
It will depend on stat, the circumstances, and how the court interprets the law. But yes, they can sue and potentially win. Same as a homeowner shooting an intruder... Burglars have rights, you know.:rolleyes: Beware of dog signs should give homeowner a good case. Always keep pups up to date on rabies and compliant with local laws. |
I have the beware of dog signs. And when no human is home, I always crate the dogs. Why? I just feel that if a burglar came in when no-one was home and my guard dog went for him (which he likely would), then I would have less of a personal defense case. That being the dog was defending not just his property but his human. The laws here are rather murky as to the rights of home owners and their pets in their homes. Although I find it beyond ludicrous for a convicted burglar to be able to sue a home owner for getting injured while they were committing a felony act |
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