For as long as I can remember, the legal field has always fascinated me. While my friends watched sitcoms and cartoons, I chose to watch courtroom dramas and real life trials unfold. There was never really any question as to what I wanted to be when I got older. The only profession for me was that of a trial lawyer. Unfortunately, a serious car accident several years ago changed all that. Now, my injuries prevent me from leaving my home most days. However, my love for the law has never went away. While I may not be able to realize my dreams of becoming a trail lawyer, I still wish to help people with their legal problems. That is why I decided to start this blog. It is my hope that the information contained in these pages will help other accident victims like me when filing their personal injury claims.
Owning rare and dangerous pets has a risky appeal for some. The question arising here is "Just because you want to own such creatures, should you?" People who purchase potentially threatening exotic animals must ask themselves such a question. If you choose to own a dangerous pet, take steps to reduce the likelihood of the creature hurting anyone. Failure to take precautions or follow legal rules regarding the ownership of exotic animals could lead to a negligence lawsuit in the aftermath of tragedy.
Legal Ownership
Federal and local laws are very explicit regarding private ownership of certain animals. Skirting the law when it comes to owning, say, numerous dangerous, poisonous, and illegal reptiles opens scores of doors for liability claims. If someone is bitten by an animal that is illegally owned, it would be difficult to disprove negligence. Mere ownership could be deemed negligence if you are not supposed to have possession of the creature in the first place.
Properly Secure the Creature
Arbitrarily setting your own standards for safety is not advised. For example, erroneously determining a chain link fence is enough to keep a large predator at bay could lead to tragic consequences if the barrier fails to provide proper security. A more common example would be someone who (legally) owns, say, a boa constrictor and does not have proper safeguards to keep the snake from escaping. The owners may be held liable if the creature becomes free and causes harm.
Extra steps do have to be taken to make sure a dangerous animal cannot escape. Hiring a professional service with direct knowledge on how to better secure dangerous animals is advised. Dog owners will invest money in behavior training courses to prevent the dog from biting people and even other animals. If you buy a boa constrictor, paying a little extra to learn how to most effective secure the reptile might help you avoid losing significant money through a lawsuit judgment.
Know the Behavior of Animals
Certain animals can be extremely dangerous even though they have rarely—or never—shown signs of being dangerous before. Chimpanzees have viciously attacked humans even after years of docile behavior. Owners of exotic animals should never let their guard down around. With primates, removing their teeth is an extreme precaution, but it does reduce the danger the pet presents. Always look into as many feasible and humane ways of reducing danger, or else accept the fact you may one day be named a defendant in court.
Remember, owning dangerous animals does not just come with added responsibilities. Ownership always comes with legal risks as well. Talk to a law firm to find out what laws you need to be aware of.
Share15 June 2015
