From the advice of one of our preferred Attorneys, Mr. Chris Combs of Combs, Gottlieb & MacQueen, P.C.:
AZ Dog Owner Has Strict Liability For Dog Bites
Question: We wanted to sell our Glendale home, so we contacted a local real estate agent who “farmed” our neighborhood. This real estate agent came to meet us at our home to sign the listing papers. Our son had left the back gate open, and our dog severely bit the real estate agent’s foot in our front yard. We then drove the real estate agent to the emergency room. We understand that she had minor plastic surgery the next day. The agent was very upset with us for not warning her about our dog, and even returned the flowers we sent to her in the hospital.
We now have a letter from her lawyer wanting to know the name of our homeowner’s insurance company. Our dog had never bitten anyone before, even when she was teased by small children. Are we liable for this real estate agent’s injuries? If so, will our homeowner’s insurance policy cover us? What should we do?
Note: More than 40% of American homes have at least one dog, and America has more dogs per capita than any other country in the world. 70% of dog bites are from non-neutered male dogs, and dog bite victims are usually children between the ages of five and nine years old.
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