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Animals

negligent handling

The owner of a dog or other animal may be liable for negligence in handling the dog when the dog causes personal injury or property damage. Sometimes a plaintiff must show that the owner had knowledge of the dog's dangerous propensities in order for the dog's owner to be liable for negligent handling.

In New Hampshire, the liability of a dog owner for injuries or damages caused by their dog is governed by New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) 466:19. This statute imposes a strict liability standard on dog owners, meaning that an owner can be held liable for harm caused by their dog regardless of the owner's knowledge or negligence. The law states that any person to whom or to whose property damage may be occasioned by a dog not owned or kept by him shall be entitled to recover damages from the person who owns or keeps the dog. However, if the injured party was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting or abusing the dog at the time of the injury, they may not be entitled to recover damages. This statute simplifies the process for plaintiffs as they do not need to prove the owner's knowledge of the dog's dangerous propensities to establish liability. However, in cases where negligence is claimed outside of the strict liability statute, such as in the handling of the dog, the plaintiff may need to show that the owner had knowledge of the dog's dangerous propensities to prove negligence.

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Animals

negligent handling

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Animals

negligent handling

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