1     
CANINE INJURY AMENDMENTS

2     
2020 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Steve R. Christiansen

5     
Senate Sponsor: ____________

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill amends provisions related to liability for an injury caused by a dog.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     provides that a person is not liable for an injury caused by the person's dog to
13     another dog in certain circumstances.
14     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
15          None
16     Other Special Clauses:
17          None
18     Utah Code Sections Affected:
19     AMENDS:
20          18-1-1, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 92
21     

22     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23          Section 1. Section 18-1-1 is amended to read:
24          18-1-1. Liability and damages for dog injury -- Dogs used in law enforcement.
25          (1) (a) Except as provided in [Subsection] Subsections (2) and (3), a person who owns
26     or keeps a dog is liable for an injury caused by the dog, regardless of whether:
27          (i) the dog is vicious or mischievous; or

28          (ii) the owner knows the dog is vicious or mischievous.
29          (b) Damages for an injury described in Subsection (1)(a) shall be determined in
30     accordance with Section 78B-5-818.
31          (2) Neither the state nor any county, city, metro township, or town in the state nor any
32     peace officer employed by the state, a county, a city, a metro township, or a town shall be liable
33     in damages for an injury caused by a dog, if:
34          (a) the dog has been trained to assist in law enforcement; and
35          (b) the injury occurs while the dog is reasonably and carefully being used in the
36     apprehension, arrest, or location of a suspected offender or in maintaining or controlling the
37     public order.
38          (3) A person who owns or keeps a dog is not liable for an injury caused by the dog if:
39          (a) the injury is to another dog;
40          (b) the injury occurs on the person's private property; and
41          (c) the injured dog entered the person's private property without consent.