Off-leash attacks are still the responsibility of owners
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Off-leash attacks are still the responsibility of owners

On Behalf of | May 3, 2022 | Dog Bites

When you go out for a walk or run, you expect to be able to do so without anyone or anything bothering you or putting you in harm’s way. You expect traffic to stop at intersections when you have the right-of-way. You expect other people to respect your space.

You also expect people to leash their dogs. Problematically, many dogs believe that someone who is running is worth chasing. In some cases, those dogs attack someone who is walking or running past them rather than just going up to them to be friendly.

Dogs are required to be leashed in Kansas City

City ordinances state that dogs are prohibited from roaming free while in public areas. They are allowed to roam free when on their owner’s property, but only if they are wearing an electric collar, are confined with a leash, or are fenced in. There are exceptions to the rule, such as seeing eye dogs; seeing eye dogs don’t have to be leashed.

There are some areas where dogs can be off-leash, such as in specified off-leash areas. Local, dog-friendly parks often have off-leash enclosed areas where dogs can play freely, but owner supervision is still required.

What can you do if you’re attacked by an off-leash animal?

If you are attacked by a dog that is off-leash, you may be able to hold the owner accountable. Even if the dog got out of its yard or broke off its leash unexpectedly, the owner is still liable for any damage that the animal causes.

For example, if you’re walking in a public area and a large dog jumps on you and bites your arm, you can ask that the owner compensates you for what you’ve been through. Since dogs are required to have tags on them in Kansas City, the dog’s information should be available. If a dog is not wearing tags, it can be scanned for a microchip to identify the owner.

Dogs who bite or cause injuries are a big problem, which is why owners should compensate victims. Strict liability laws mean that owners and possessors of a dog, like dog walkers, could be held liable if a dog attacks.

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