Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California
My dogs attacted a cat in our back yand, I pick it up and took it to a animal hospital which would evaluate it and depending on the servarity would possiblity take care of it. The owner turned out to be our back neighbor which our back fence is a wooden fence, Now she wants me to pay for the surgury the cat needs. Am I liable, it was in my back yard my dogs were just protecting thier domain?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Dogs and cats don't understand property lines very well. Where the incident happened may not affect liability. What if it had been a two-year-old child? I'd check to see if your homeowner's indurance will cover the cost. In small claims court, the outcome is uncertain.
Pick up a copy of Nolo Press' book on Dog Law. My recollection is that if they are contained in their own yard, dogs get a "free bite."
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