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Dog Bite Statutes Part II—Definition of "Dangerous"

Dogs and dog bites have long been a concern among insurance personnel. Underwriting has to determine whether or not to write a policy when a dog is in the house, and claims adjusters have to settle claims when a bite has occurred. Each state has statutes dealing with the issues of liability laws, definition of dangerous dog, and leash laws. As there is a volume of information, charts are provided for each section. Other topics can be found at Dog Bite Statutes Part I—Liability Laws and Dog Bite Statutes Part III—Leash Laws. The statutes are listed with each section.

 States have moved from statutes governing ownership of certain breeds to using behaviors to define a dog and dangerous, and making restrictions around those dogs, regardless of breed. Once a dog has been defined as dangerous the owner may be required to obtain particular limits of insurance, keep the dog in a fenced or other secure area, leash the dog while off premises and other requirements. 

 

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