When is a Horse Owner Liable for Injuries?
With horses, most injuries are caused from kicks as opposed to bites. In general, there are no specific laws regarding injuries from horses, so most of them are treated the same as those caused by other domestic animals under typical negligence standards. An owner will generally be held liable if he knew or had reason to know of the horse¿s dangerous propensities.
Are There Defenses to Horse Injuries? In line with other animal cases, horse owners can often avoid liability for injuries if they can show that the injured person ignored warnings, provoked the horse, or trespassed on the owner¿s property.
What about Wild Animals? Owners of wild animals are most often liable for injuries caused by the animal, even if they employ the utmost care to try to prevent harm. Unlike domestic animals such as dogs, cats, and horses, the law automatically presumes that wild animals are dangerous. People who own them are subject to strict liability for injuries they may cause.
Can I Bring Suit after Getting Injured by a Stray Dog? People injured by strays will most likely not have a legal claim because such animals do not have owners to sue. The only exception is where a local pound¿s negligence creates a situation in which a stray injures a person.
Should I Consult an Attorney about an Animal Attack Issue? Animal attacks can have very serious consequences for both the owners of the animals and the people injured by them. An experienced personal injury attorney can help determine the appropriate rules of law in either case. |
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