The Kentucky Supreme Court recently issued an opinion that can treat landlords as owners of their tenants dogs. The case was entered June 25, 2012 and is styled Benningfield v. Zinsmeister, — S.W.3d —, 2009-SC-000660-DG(6/25/12). The Kentucky Supreme Court found that the landlord could be determined to be the statutory owner of the dog under KRS 258.095(5) if the landlord has permitted the dog to be kept on the leased premises.
This decision has serious ramifications for both landlords and victims of dog bites. In the past many seriously injured victims of dog bites were unable to be compensated for their injuries because few tenants actually have the resources or renters insurance. Now injured victims of dog bites will likely be able to recover compensation for their injuries when they are attacked by a dog on property owned by a landlord and leased to a tenant.
Landlords will most likely become more reluctant to allow their tenants to have dogs in order to protect themselves from the liabilities associated with dog bites.
If you have been the victim of a dog bite you should contact the attorneys at Goeing and Goeing PLLC for a free consultation so that they may review your case with you and offer guidance or representation in your efforts to seek compensation for the injuries resulting from the dog bite.