Animal Rights & Pet Debates

Paw Laws: Your Legal Responsibilities

Peering into the soulful eyes of a beautiful chocolate Labrador Retriever or stroking the velvety coat of a striped grey tabby is enough to melt the heart of any pet lover, but these simple joys of pet ownership can be marred by ignorance of the many laws set up to protect pets, their owners and the public at-large.

If "Lela" the Labrador barks one too many times at 3 a.m. in the morning, or playfully nips the neighbor's heels, her owners may find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Many animal owners are unfamiliar with existing laws and bring their pets home with little thought about the potential legal issues that could arise as soon as they step out of the animal adoption shelter.

More.......... http://www.petside.com/the-sidewalk/news/paw-laws-your-legal-responsibilities.php

I agree people who own pets have to get them trained or like in my case make sure they don't harm others or their property.

Unfortunately my dogs had so many other issues when we adopted them we couldn't socialize them well but they don't bite just stay away from people and won't leave the yard. However they are fenced in most of the time unless going in the car headed for the vet. They have a half acre to run and roam and as long as no-one tries to go in their fence they do okay. Of course if a stranger went into their fence and cornered them they may bite I don't know. They were horribly abused before we got them so if people leave them alone they do fine.

I wonder. If someone a stranger did go in their fence and get bit if it would be their fault. Then would the law be on their side? Something to think about.

                                                   Hugs Cindy

There are several cases in several different states of people breaking into a home and getting bit by the family dog, suing and winning. Even in your own home you are responsible for your dog not inflicting harm on anyone else. Even if that person is an intruder.

There are some places that are beginning to not quite be so dense about this (Texas is one of them) and are beginning to swing around to the way of thinking that if someone breaks into your home they are responsible for any injury inflicted upon them (because they weren't supposed to be there).

Personally I think a dog should be expected to protect its property and its people but Americans in general have become so fearful of dogs that any dog that does is most likely going to be labeled as vicious. All because it did what all dogs, of any breed or size, have done since the beginning of their relationship with man.

Mans best friend is no longer true. Mans scape goat is more like it.

TUrdle