Title: Dog Law :: Landlords and Dogs > Landlord Liability for Tenants' Dogs :: DogLaw.HugPug.com
Headings: 
Landlord Liability for Tenants' Dogs
Knowing About and Having Power to Remove the Dog
INJURIES OFF THE LANDLORD'S PROPERTY
Harboring a Tenant's Dog
Endnotes

Content: A  Montana rancher, for example, knew that a dog belonging to his foreman  (who lived on the rancher's property) had bitten someone. But when the  dog later bit a utility company meter-reader, the rancher wasn't held liable. If, however, the rancher had exercised some control over the animal - was a  "keeper" under the law - he would have been liable. 38
Actual knowledge. To be held liable, a landlord must actually know that  a tenant's dog is a danger to others. Dogs aren't presumed to be dangerous,  although there is a possible exception for pit bull terriers in cities that have  enacted breed-specific restrictions ( See Dangerous Dogs ). So  only a landlord who has specific knowledge of the dog's dangerous disposition is legally responsible if it injures someone. In practice, that means the  landlord must know that the dog has already threatened or injured someone. For example, a landlord who knows only that a tenant's dog is kept  chained and barks at people who approach probably will not be held liable  if the dog bites someone. A New York court, given those circumstances, did  not hold a landlord liable for the injury her tenant's dog had inflicted.