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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 [
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.