Determining liability for a dog bite injury (occurring while in the care of a pet sitter) isn’t as cut and dry as it seems. According to California dog bite injury laws, the owner is responsible for dog attacks, most of the time. However, there is a bit of a gray area when a dog bites someone else while in the care of a pet sitter.
For example, suppose a dog has bitten you while being walked or watched by a pet sitter. In that case, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the dog owner, the petsitter, or their company (including Rover, Petsitter, Wag, Fetch, etc.). However, you have a limited amount of time to do so.
Contact the Steinberg Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation with an experienced dog bite injury attorney in Los Angeles.
What Happens if Your Dog Bites The Sitter?
Generally, if you know that your dog is aggressive or likely to attack and still leave them with a sitter, you (the pet owner) are likely liable if they do bite the pet sitter. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For instance, if the pet sitter is aware of the dog’s proclivity to viciousness and still accepts the gig, they may share some responsibility for the dog bite.
Further, if the pet sitter takes actions that increase the likelihood of a dog bite (i.e., taunting, mistreatment, malnourishment, etc.), they may share partial blame for the bite.
Who is Responsible if a Dog Bites Someone Else?
Every dog bite injury case is different. However, in general, pet owners are responsible for dog bite injuries that occur during pet sitting. In some cases, the pet sitter may share partial or full responsibility if they don’t reasonably control dangerous dogs.
For example, suppose a pet sitter takes a dangerous dog to a public place, neglects to hold the harness tightly, and the dog attacks someone as a result. In that case, the pet sitter is most likely liable. However, popular pet sitting companies like Wag, Rover, Petsitter, and Fetch, have their own rules.
Does Rover Pay For Damages For a Dog Bite Injury?
Generally, a petsitting service like Rover carries certain protections for pets, pet owners, and sitters. However, there are a few things that their policy does not cover, including but not limited to:
-
Injuries to sitter’s dog walkers or groomers
-
Injuries to family members or roommates of dog walkers
-
Property damages resulting from dog bites or mischievous behavior
It’s important to note that exceptions do apply. If you’re unsure about whose liable for a dog bite injury, it’s in your best interest to consult with an attorney for dog attack victims as soon as possible.
Contact a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Today
Have you suffered a dog bite injury while the dog was in the care of a pet sitter? Our personal injury attorneys are here to help. Contact the best dog attack personal injury attorneys today at Steinberg Injury Lawyers to discuss your case.
