Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Personal Injury for South Carolina

Q: neighbor's dog came inside of my house and attacked my dog badly. Who's responsibility is that.

They blame our nephews who is 4&5 years old left their back yard gate opened but there is no proof and no one saw that. Nephews are already inside of our house when the dog came in and attacked our dog Infront of them and our mom . We are asking them to pay the vet bill but they refused because they have less money than us at the first and now they are saying because our boys left the gate opened.

1 Lawyer Answer
Cheryl Ann Truesdale
Cheryl Ann Truesdale
Answered
  • Greenville, SC
  • Licensed in South Carolina

A: This isn't a family law question, it's a personal injury question. The owner of a dog is strictly liable for any injury or damage done by their dog. If the dog owner has renter's or homeowner's insurance, it will cover any damages caused by the dogs. You would need to file a claim with the dog owner's insurance company. You can also file a case in magistrate's court against the dog owner. In either case, insurance or court filing, you would have to be able to prove your monetary damages to receive a damages award.

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