1     
CANINE INJURY AMENDMENTS

2     
2021 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Steve R. Christiansen

5     
Senate Sponsor: Michael S. Kennedy

6     Cosponsor:
7     Travis M. Seegmiller


8     

9     LONG TITLE
10     General Description:
11          This bill amends provisions related to liability for an injury caused by a dog.
12     Highlighted Provisions:
13          This bill:
14          ▸     defines terms;
15          ▸     provides that a person is not liable for an injury or death caused by the person's dog
16     to another animal in certain circumstances; and
17          ▸     makes technical changes.
18     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
19          None
20     Other Special Clauses:
21          None
22     Utah Code Sections Affected:
23     AMENDS:
24          18-1-1, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 92
25     

26     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
27          Section 1. Section 18-1-1 is amended to read:

28          18-1-1. Liability and damages for dog injury -- Exceptions.
29          (1) (a) Except as provided in [Subsection (2)] Subsections (2) and (3), a person who
30     owns or keeps a dog is liable for an injury caused by the dog, regardless of whether:
31          (i) the dog is vicious or mischievous; or
32          (ii) the owner knows the dog is vicious or mischievous.
33          (b) Damages for an injury described in Subsection (1)(a) shall be determined in
34     accordance with Section 78B-5-818.
35          (2) Neither the state nor any county, city, metro township, or town in the state nor any
36     peace officer employed by the state, a county, a city, a metro township, or a town shall be liable
37     in damages for an injury caused by a dog, if:
38          (a) the dog has been trained to assist in law enforcement; and
39          (b) the injury occurs while the dog is reasonably and carefully being used in the
40     apprehension, arrest, or location of a suspected offender or in maintaining or controlling the
41     public order.
42          (3) A person who owns or keeps a dog is not liable for an injury or death caused by the
43     dog if:
44          (a) the injury or death is to another animal;
45          (b) the injury or death occurs:
46          (i) on the person's private property; and
47          (ii) while the dog is reasonably secured within a fence or other enclosure; and
48          (c) the animal described in Subsection (3)(a) entered the person's private property
49     without consent.