Maryland Dog Bites Have a New Implication for Premises Liability

The Maryland Court of Appeals’ April 26, 2012 ruling that pit bulls and pit bull mixes are “inherently dangerous” could have some frightening implications for dog owners.

The ruling means that pit bull owners in Maryland are now subject to very stringent liability regulations if their dogs cause another person injury or bodily harm.  Landlords are also subject to the new legislation – meaning that if one of your tenants’ pet pit bull attacks someone else (be it another tenant or any other person who happens to be on the premises your manage), you are legally liable.

Once put into effect, the ruling will be changing both the way pit bull owners are being treated (i.e. many are now going to be subject to eviction if they choose not to get rid of their dogs) and the way a premises liability lawyer Rockville victims might hire would be able to handle the case.  It is no longer necessary to prove that particular pit bulls are dangerous on a case-by-case basis; rather, all dogs belonging to this breed are automatically considered to be furry loaded weapons.  Now the only important thing to prove in a Maryland pit bull bite case is the fact that the landlord/dog owner had prior knowledge of the fact that the dog was a pit bull or pit mix.

The new ruling is drawing both praise and criticism from dog owners and people in the legal field.  For a premises liability or personal injury lawyer Rockville, MD dog bite cases are now significantly easier to present in court – they only need to prove that the dog was a pit/pit mix and that the owner/landlord knew.  However, faithful pit bull owners who insist that their beloved pets are not dangerous or inherently aggressive might be in for trouble if they’re looking for an apartment.  The debate continues over whether this ruling really sends the right message or if dog owners in general should be held responsible when their pet attacks someone, regardless of the breed.