Idaho Personal Injury Attorneys > Idaho Dog Bite Lawyers > Dog Owner Liability > OWNER VS. KEEPER

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Owner vs. Keeper

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Idaho: Dog Owner Liability

In most cases, the dog owner is responsible for any damage or injury the animal may cause. However, some exceptions may exist including the following:

If the dog owner is under 18
Someone else was taking care of the dog and had control over it
The owner’s landlord knew of the dog’s dangerous tendency and refused to acknowledge this fact
The dog was on another’s property and the owner of that property did not remove it

As shown above, someone who harbors or keeps a dog may be just as liable if it causes injury. Many state dog bite laws include that both an owner and keeper can become responsible. The definition of a keeper can be loosely defined as someone who has control, custody or care over a dog. Some courts rule that this custody may be temporary or even for short period of time. A harborer is someone who merely gives shelter to a dog, while a keeper offers more, acting as a temporary owner. These statutes involving owners, harborers and keepers vary by state. To find out the applicable dog bite law in Idaho, contact an attorney.

In some states, parents of children (under 18) who own dogs may be liable if the animal bites or injures another. Other states rule that parents are liable, to a certain extent, because they are viewed as keepers of the dog.

In most cases, children cannot sue their parents after a dog bite caused by parental negligence. This parental immunity doctrine was formed because if children could sue their parents for negligence, it would most likely cause disharmony in the family. However, this rule is not unconditional as at least one court has ruled that a parent was liable after their child suffered a dog bite.