If someone said that my puppy attacked their dog but my dog didn’t even touch the other dog, can I be held liable for damage my puppy didn’t cause?
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If someone said that my puppy attacked their dog but my dog didn’t even touch the other dog, can I be held liable for damage my puppy didn’t cause?
I took my 30 lb 6 month old puppy out in my yard to go to the bathroom. There were 2 teenagers walking muzzled adult pitbulls across the street and my puppy got excited and ran across the street before I could stop him. He went over to smell them and before he could even touch them they started barking and trying to bite him. He cowered on the ground and I had to pick him up while the kids pulled their dogs away. Now the owner is saying my puppy attacked his dogs and damages their collars and faces.
Asked on August 27, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Virginia
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Under the laws of all states in this country, one can only be held liable for some wrongful conduct that actually causes damages. From what you have written about, I fail to see any basis for liability let alone damages as to you. The owner of the grown dogs has the burden of proving that your puppy caused the damages claimed.
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