As an Arizona dog bite expert witness in animal behavior, I am familiar with dog bite law as
pertains to what a canine owner should have known about the vicious propensities in their dog.
This knowledge is central to the substance of why Fabian’s law, as it pertains to canine attack by dogs in Arizona, was signed into law by Gov. Jan Brewer in 2011 (Health Bill 2137).
The impetus behind this law the law stems from a fatal dog attack on a miniature poodle by an unleashed pit bull. The owners of the poodle lobbied state lawmakers to take action in 2009. At that time, dog owners in Arizona were not liable for an injury inflicted on another dog by their canine. In essence, dogs in Arizona henceforward were legally treated as if there were a person rather than a piece of property. Animal behavior experts, rescue organizations and canine professionals welcomed this new law.
Fabian’s law and Dog behavior
Fabian’s law primarily is based on what an owner should have reasonably foreseen about the conduct of the canine. Foreseeability is an animal behavior issue that requires input from a bite bite expert witness.
- The foreseeability of a K-9 attack is based on animal behavior criteria, inclusive of the following:
- The behavioral history of the dog in various contexts
- How the canine was kept and maintained by the owner
- The bite history of the dog
- Past training of the dog or lack thereof
- In selected cases, the breed of the dog, mainly if the canine was not adequately socialized regularly chained, and poorly bred.
Legal implications for dog bite law in Arizona
Fabian’s law in Arizona states the following:
“It is a felony if a dog owner intentionally or knowingly allows his K-9 and inflict serious physical injury to a human being without justification, and in the absence of self-defense or defense of a third person.”
The opinions of an Arizona dog bite expert
The opinions of an Arizona dog bite expert will help clarify the interplay between what a dog owner should have foreseen and related animal behavior issues as a relates to Fabian’s law in Arizona. More news about dog bite instances in Arizona can be found elsewhere on this website.
External links relative to Fabians law and dog bite litigation
- Visit the website which details Fabian’s law in Arizona
- Visit a website website that discusses various aspects of dog bite law in Arizona
______
Richard Polsky, Ph.D., has served as an expert witness in animal behavior for Arizona attorneys on more than 30 occasions. His expertise lies in the analysis of dog bites inflicted on people, identification of dog bite injury and reconstruction of dog bite instances.
