(508) 477-7100
Snow Law Firm
Call For a Free Consultation:
(508) 477-7100

Dog Laws In Kentucky

personal injury cape cod

Kentucky defines a dog “Owner” as:

  • Every person having a right of property in the dog;
  • Every person who keeps or harbors the dog;
  • Every person that has the dog in his or her care;
  • Every person who permits the dog to remain on or about premises owned and occupied by him or her;
  • Every person who permits the dog to remain on or about premises leased and occupied by him or her;

A landlord can be held liable for dog injuries if: 

  1. the landlord knew or should have known that the dog was dangerous; 
  2. the damage took place in an area under the control of the landlord; and,
  3. the landlord failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the harm.

Kentucky law allows dogs that cause injuries to people can be formally classified as dangerous. When a dog is deemed dangerous, the owner is required to take certain measures to ensure that the dog is confined and controlled at all times.

Damages that can be recovered depend upon the nature and extent of injury, medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earnings capacity, periods of total and/or partial disability, physical pain and mental suffering, disfiguring scarring, permanency of injury, and loss of consortium.

STATUTE OF LIMITATION:

In Kentucky, the statute of limitations is 1 year from the date of injury. This means you must file a lawsuit against the owner/keeper of the dog within that time, or you will be forever time barred from pursuing a case.

LAW REFERENCE:

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 258.235

Injured By A Dog?

Dog Injuries Contact Form

DISCLAIMER:

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only.  The information on this site is not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed through the use of this website.  Laws relating to dog injuries can, and do, change.  To learn your legal rights, contact The Snow Law Firm, or contact a licensed and experienced attorney in your state.

MINOR STATUTE OF LIMITATION RULE:

In most states, when a minor is bitten or injured by a dog, the statute of limitation period does not begin to run until the minor reaches the age of 18.  Thus, for example, if an 11-year-old child is bitten or injured by a dog in a state that has a 3 year statute of limitation period within which to file a lawsuit, they will have three years from the date they turn 18 years of age, and would thus have to file a lawsuit before they turn 21 years of age.  In most instances, however, it is recommended that a parent or guardian bring a claim for a dog bite or injury claim on behalf of a minor child before waiting for the injured child to turn 18.

RECOVERABLE DAMAGES IN GENERAL:

Some states limit the type of damages that a person bitten or injured by a dog can recover.  In most states, however, a person who is bitten or injured by a dog can recover damages that include medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earnings capacity, physical pain and mental suffering, scarring, permanency of injury, periods of total and/or partial disability and loss of spousal consortium.