Information About New + Existing Connecticut Dog Laws That Every Owner Should Know

On December 6, 2021 the Carter Mario Law Firm released a helpful video for CT dog owners.

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They tagged the video with the following description:

"Do you know about Connecticut's new laws on dogs and animals? Local ordinances vary across the state, but it is important to be aware of these guidelines and rules."

In the video, there are two individuals having a conversation about dog laws in the Nutmeg State. The video identifies one of them as attorney Alex Mario and the other is referred to as Taylor by Mario. The two shared a lot of helpful information for dog owners, below are some of the highlights.

• Chihuahuas are the dogs that bite the most
• They said while local leash ordinances vary throughout the State of CT, they are also similar in most cases. Attorney Mario said "Our local ordinance here in the city of Milford states that your dog must be restrained or leashed when off the owner's property." 
• Dog owners are strictly liable if their dog causes harm to someone.
• A dog bite is not the only issue, they said if your dog should chase someone and that person falls as a result, you're going to be liable for their injuries.
• There are exceptions that make incidents not the fault of the dog, if someone is trespassing on your property or taunting/teasing your dog and that person is injured, you may not be liable for their injuries.
• CT is not a "one bite" state. They explain that some states allow your dog one free documented bite without consequence. According to Mario "Connecticut is a strict liability state" meaning if your dog bites someone, you are liable the first time.

I'm not currently a dog owner, but we used to have a dog and I didn't know any of this. It's probably because I cannot fathom someone suing someone else over a dog bite.

Sure, there are probably situations that are painful, traumatic and warrant a lawsuit, but most dog bites are probably a result of a dog feeling threatened or scared. Look, if you are a dog owner, it's just one more thing to worry about in a world with no shortage of things to worry about.

These ladies did such a good job with this video that I'm trying  to generate a segment for my radio show that they can join us on. I'd only want to do it if we could ask them about absurd and extremely far-fetched scenarios and the legal ramifications of those situations.

Ex. If I throw hot spaghetti at my neighbor who is attacking me with a bow and arrow in self-defense, am I liable for any injuries they may sustain as a result?