Liability for dogs killing neighbor's chicken in Alaska

Question

I am seeking advice because my dogs escaped from my backyard, which had a partially fallen fence, and killed a neighbor's chicken. The dogs have no history of aggressive behavior and have only escaped the yard once or twice before. I don't have homeowner's insurance, and my neighbor is filing a legal action against me since we couldn't agree on compensation. I found a local ordinance indicating they could have defended their property by harming my dogs. What liability do I face in this situation, and how should I proceed?

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

That’s a really difficult spot to be in, especially when emotions can run high between neighbors. In Alaska, you can be held legally responsible if your dogs cause damage to another person’s property, including livestock like chickens. Even if your dogs aren’t usually aggressive, the fact that they left your yard and caused harm is enough for liability to apply. 
 
Since there’s no homeowner’s insurance to cover the damages, you may be personally responsible for paying any judgment or settlement. The neighbor has a legal right to seek compensation through small claims or civil court. The ordinance you found about defending property could have come into play during the incident, but now that the damage is done, it doesn’t reduce your liability—it just explains what they could have done in the moment. 
 
To move forward, document everything you can: the condition of the fence, your dogs’ behavior history, and any efforts you made to contain them. If you haven’t already, repairing the fence and taking extra precautions could help show the court you’re taking responsibility seriously. You might also consider proposing a formal settlement again before the case goes too far—it could save time, stress, and money. Whatever happens, it’s important to stay calm and cooperative as the process unfolds.

Q: Liability for dogs killing neighbor's chicken in Alaska