As the landlord of an apartment or building, it is your duty to make decisions to keep your residents safe within reasonable measure.
However, what is the precedent when one of your tenants’ dogs bites or injures another person? Learning more about what to do in this incident can help solve a confusing issue.
Strict liability
A tenant’s involvement in dangerous incidents with his or her dog in the past, according to FindLaw, may make this case more complicated. Some states fall under strict liability for dog bites. This means that the size or intensity of the injury is still the fault of the parties who were responsible, even if they had no ill intent or were not negligent.
Landlords and injuries
As a landlord, the law may hold you accountable for injuries inflicted by renters’ dogs. The biggest factor is whether or not you were aware of the dog being previously aggressive before or not. Previous knowledge can lead to an argument against you for not removing the dog before since you knew of the possible danger. In addition, landlords typically are the ones making guidelines for animals in an apartment complex or other area, which puts extra focus on your role in the injury.
Your personal connection
Also, how close you were with the owner or how often you cared for the dog may reflect your knowledge of the danger posed. If you had previously walked the dog or fed it, then some may presume you knew the temperament of the dog beforehand. Insurance policies and clear rules for pet owners in your building can help prevent such legal issues. Dog bite cases can be frustrating if you are unaware of the previous laws in place.
