Hi!
Location: Phoenix, AZ
I rent a two bedroom home in Phoenix, AZ from the house owner. He recently told me he was having someone come out and check the AC unit.
I rescued a German Shepard mix a few years ago. He overall doesn’t do well around strangers and has a lot of anxiety. When people come over, he’s jumpy and barky. When people are familiar to me, he calms down much quicker and after the first meet with someone, he warms right up and is the biggest sweet heart. He’s never bitten or tried to bite anyone in the past three years I’ve had him. However, when maintenance people come over, I usually just put him outside because I don’t want him to jump or bark at them, since it can be intimidating.
The AC guy called me this morning to let me know he was on the way. I told him I have a large dog and that I would look out for him so I could put my dog away.
He shows up and I put my dog in my room. He’s obviously barking a ton from my bedroom while the guy checks everything out (roughly 30 mins). The guy then tells me he has to do some stuff outside and he’ll let me know when he’s done. The guy goes outside and I let my dog out of my room.
The guy is outside for about 30-mins and then proceeds to begin opening the front door. I figured he’d knock again, clearly knowing my dog is out since he’s standing at the front door barking. He has the door cracked open while I’m trying to rangle my dog in, and I state, “hang on, let me put my dog away.” The guy asks, “does he bite?” and I state no, he never has, but he jumps a lot. The guy proceeds to enter and my dog continues jumping and barking. I clearly cannot get my dog away at this point, so I provide the guy some treats to give my dog to calm him down. The AC guys says he needs to head out back to check the circuit box and while we’re walking out back, my dog bites the back of his leg. The guy kinda yells out and tells me my dog bit him. I freak out, obviously, and say I’m so sorry and put my dog away. The guy is clearly nervous and I tell him how sorry I am. I offer him ice and first aid, as well as my bathroom to check it out. He comes out and says no skin is broken, just a little red mark, and my dog just nipped him.
I give him my phone number and name in case he wants to seek medical attention, and assure him my dog is vaccinated (rabies, etc.). He says he had to report it to his company, which I totally understand.
So, should I call my rental insurance and/or landlord to try to get ahead of the problem? How much could the fine be because it didn’t break skin? Could my landlord evict me over this? Could animal control come for my dog?
I feel awful for the guy and am so embarrassed, I already signed my dog up for training lessons starting next week. Any advice is welcomed.
Comments
Arizona follows a strict liability rule for dog bites. This means that a dog owner can be held liable for injuries caused by their dog’s bite, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog had a propensity to bite or had any prior knowledge of the dog’s viciousness. Not sure if the victim may want to seek personal injury compensation or not. Likely if it’s a minimal injury, victim may let it go. Regarding to landlord, you need to refer back to lease- does the lease have provisions for pets/ no pets? According to lease, will landlord be exposed to liability because of injury caused by acts from a pet of a tenant? Depends on what the victim wants to do, if he insists on some form of personal injury recovery, he may need the dog bite documented, either internally with his work and/or with animal control. As I said though, the bite sounds minimal, so likely victim will let it go.
I’m a lawyer but not your lawyer and I don’t practice in Arizona. I practice in CA.