If I live in a county that has no leash law for animals and last night a car struck and killed my dog in the road, am I liable for damages to his vehicle?
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If I live in a county that has no leash law for animals and last night a car struck and killed my dog in the road, am I liable for damages to his vehicle?
Now the owner is trying to have me reimburse for damages to the vehicle.
Asked on December 30, 2015 under Accident Law, North Carolina
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
Regardless of whether there is a leash law or not, if you negligently, or carelessly, cause damage to another's property, you are liable, for responsible, for the cost to repair or replace. Letting your dog roam without a leash may be legal, but it is also careless: the dog could get in the way of a car, could attack a pedestrian or another animal, could dig up or damage another's property, etc. or otherwise cause damage/get into trouble. Because letting your dog roam unsupervised can be negligent, you could likely be held liable for the damage.
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