Anyone have any information on dog bite law in florida…please read on…?
We adopted a dog from a woman who left out immense amounts of info, or completely lied about the dogs temperment. After a week, she refused to take the dog back so we had to try to rehome her. We found her a family, with three children and tehy adopted her. After three hours, we received a call that the dog bit the 2 year old child badly. Whats our liability for this? Also, the dog is being taken to animal Control to be basically quarantined and put to sleep now……any help?
First of all, the dog never showed any signs of aggression. I rehomed the dog because she needed more attention than i could give her with her needs, and the lady i adopted her from LIED. She told me a much different story and I disclosed everything I knew to be a fact on the animal. I left nothing out.
August 11th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
should ask your lawyer. basically, if you told them that the dog was untrained, tempered, etc… I guess you are off the hook.
August 11th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Well since you were not aware of the dog’s temperment, I’d say the responsiblity falls to the owner.
But why did you re-home in the dog in the first place? Was it due to aggression? If so, it was very unwise to place it in a home with a 2-year-old, poor decision on both your parts. I’m sad that a dog is now suffering because of this.
August 11th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
The dog should be euthanized. He is a huge risk and liability. As far as you… if you really didn’t know anything about the dog’s temperament you probably don’t have to worry (though it seems you did since you had to rehome him because of it) and you homed the dog with a history and didn’t disclose that history, you might be in trouble. Talk to animal control and the people who had the dog and see what they plan to do. If they have filed a police report against YOU then there is probably some kind of action they can take. I’m sure animal control files reports on all their dog bit cases, but this might be something different.
August 11th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Why did you rehome her? If it was for biting then you could be liable because you knew she bites. Why do you think the previous owner lied? Any dog can bite, especially if provoked by a 2 year old that doesn’t know any better.
August 11th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Not sure about florida, but in many other states, it is the owner who is responsible. You were no longer the owner, and it was irresponsible for the new owners to let a 2 year old child get bitten- they were clearly not paying attention. It is never a good idea to mix children and new pets, until you get to know what the pet’s temperament is.
I’m sure there are websites with florida dog bit laws, and a decent lawyer should be able to give you a pretty quick answer.
Best of luck.