Dogs Attack Dog Sitter Leading to Liability Questions

Dogs can be unpredictable, and even the most well-behaved pets can turn aggressive in certain situations. According to a recent study, 60% of dog bites occur when the dog is at home with a family member or pet sitter.

A dog sitter was attacked by a family's dog, resulting in serious injuries. The dog sitter had been caring for the dog for several years and was well-acquainted with its temperament. However, on this particular occasion, the dog suddenly became aggressive, biting the sitter's arm.

Dog attack incidents are a sobering reminder of the risks involved with dog sitting. In the US, multiple dog attack incidents have occurred in backyards and front doors of homes.

A Minnesota man died after being attacked by American pit bull terriers he was watching for a family member. The dogs had extensive bites on most of his body and were not under his ownership.

Dog walkers and sitters are not immune to attacks, as seen in a Texas case where a 22-year-old college student was permanently disfigured by two dogs. The animals were not in kennels and rushed at her, violently attacking her head and face.

The dogs' owners, Ashley Jo Bishop and Dr. Justin Avery Bishop, were aware of their pets' violent tendencies and had a sign on their home entrance warning visitors of the dangers. The sign read: "Crazy Dogs. Please Don’t Knock or Ring the Bell. Call or Text Instead."

Dog owners have a responsibility to ensure their pets do not pose a risk to others, especially those they hire to care for them. In the Minnesota case, the dogs were quarantined pending a dangerous dog evaluation.

In the Texas case, the dogs were euthanized after a municipal judge decided they posed a threat to public safety. The victim, Jacqueline Claire Durand, has undergone multiple operations and is seeking over $1 million in compensation.

Every dog bite injury case is different, but pet owners are generally responsible for dog bite injuries that occur during pet sitting.

Pet owners are responsible for their dog's behavior, even when they hire a pet sitter. If a pet sitter takes a dog to a public place and the dog attacks someone, the pet sitter may share partial or full responsibility if they don't reasonably control the dog.

The pet sitter's actions can greatly impact their liability in a dog bite case. For example, if a pet sitter neglects to hold the harness tightly and the dog attacks someone, they are most likely liable.

Pet sitting companies like Wag, Rover, Petsitter, and Fetch have their own rules that can affect liability in dog bite cases.

You might enjoy: Dog Bite