Can a dog walker sue their client after being bitten in Ontario?

No, in Ontario, a part-time dog walker bitten by a client's dog cannot sue the owner because the law may consider the walker the 'owner' at the time of the incident.

Who is considered an 'owner' under Ontario's Dog Owners' Liability Act?

Under Ontario's Dog Owners' Liability Act, an 'owner' can be anyone in possession and able to control the dog's behavior at the time of a bite or attack, not just the registered owner.

What is the implication of the Ontario court ruling for pet sitters?

The ruling implies that pet sitters and temporary caretakers in Ontario could be legally defined as 'owners' of the animals they look after, potentially affecting their right to sue if they are injured by the pet.

Ontario Court: Dog Sitters Can Be 'Owners' Under Law

5 May

Summary

Part-time dog walker bitten while working cannot sue clients.
Provincial law deems temporary caretakers as dog 'owners'.
Ruling expands liability for anyone in possession of a pet.

Ontario's highest court has ruled that a part-time dog walker bitten by a client's dog cannot sue for damages. The court determined that under Ontario's Dog Owners' Liability Act (DOLA), the dog walker was considered the "owner" of the animal at the moment she was bitten.

This legal definition of "owner" extends beyond the person whose name is on ownership paperwork. It now includes anyone in possession and able to control the pet's behavior at the time of an incident. This precedent means individuals like dog walkers, groomers, or even friends looking after a pet can be legally classified as an owner.

The case involved Amanda Nigro, who was bitten by a boxer named Forrest Gump while attempting to put booties on him at his owners' Oshawa home. Despite the dog having no prior history of aggression, the attack resulted in severe injuries to Nigro.

Legal experts advise that anyone caring for another person's pet in Ontario should review their contracts immediately. The broad interpretation of "owner" under DOLA could expose more people to liability than they might realize.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.

Home / Crime and Justice / Ontario Court: Dog Sitters Can Be 'Owners' Under Law

Ontario Court: Dog Sitters Can Be 'Owners' Under Law

5 May

•

Summary

Part-time dog walker bitten while working cannot sue clients.
Provincial law deems temporary caretakers as dog 'owners'.
Ruling expands liability for anyone in possession of a pet.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.