Connecticut Dog Bite Law: The Tormenting Defense

Here’s one for the dog days of August.

A Connecticut Superior Court has ruled that a plaintiff was not tormenting the defendant’s dog when the plaintiff was riding his bike in circles in front of the defendant’s house. Moreno v. Edgar (Doc. No. CV07-5004312S)(Alvord J. 2008).

Here’s a quick summary of Connecticut dog bite law. Suffice to say that a plaintiff cannot recover for injuries sustained as a result of a dog bite if the plaintiff is tormenting, teasing, or abusing the dog.

The plaintiff received a tetanus shot which cost $150 as a result of the dog bite.

The court awarded the plaintiff $1,550 for pain and suffering.

I think the only way that one could torment my dog Brady would be to tell her she was going for a walk and then not deliver on that promise. I’m not sure a judge would find such conduct to be tormenting but Brady sure would.

 

Ryan McKeen is a trial attorney at Connecticut Trial Firm, LLC in Glastonbury, Connecticut. In 2016, he was honored by the CT Personal Injury Hall of Fame for securing one of the highest settlements in the state. He is a New Leader in the Law. ABA 100. Avvo 10. 40 under 40 for Hartford Business Journal. He has been quoted in Time Magazine, the New York Times, Hartford Courant, Wall Street Journal Law Blog and the Hartford Business Journal. He focuses his practice on Connecticut Personal Injury law. He loves what he does. Contact him ryan@cttrialfirm.com or 860 471 8333

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