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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 ▸ defines terms;
13 ▸ provides that a person is not liable for an injury or death caused by the person's dog
14 to another animal in certain circumstances; and
15 ▸ makes technical changes.
16 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
17 None
18 Other Special Clauses:
19 None
20 Utah Code Sections Affected:
21 AMENDS:
22 18-1-1, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 92
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24 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 Section 1. Section 18-1-1 is amended to read:
26 18-1-1. Liability and damages for dog injury -- Exceptions.
27 (1) (a) Except as provided in [
28 owns or keeps a dog is liable for an injury caused by the dog, regardless of whether:
29 (i) the dog is vicious or mischievous; or
30 (ii) the owner knows the dog is vicious or mischievous.
31 (b) Damages for an injury described in Subsection (1)(a) shall be determined in
32 accordance with Section 78B-5-818.
33 (2) Neither the state nor any county, city, metro township, or town in the state nor any
34 peace officer employed by the state, a county, a city, a metro township, or a town shall be liable
35 in damages for an injury caused by a dog, if:
36 (a) the dog has been trained to assist in law enforcement; and
37 (b) the injury occurs while the dog is reasonably and carefully being used in the
38 apprehension, arrest, or location of a suspected offender or in maintaining or controlling the
39 public order.
40 (3) A person who owns or keeps a dog is not liable for an injury or death caused by the
41 dog if:
42 (a) the injury or death is to another animal;
43 (b) the injury or death occurs:
44 (i) on the person's private property; and
45 (ii) while the dog is reasonably secured; and
46 (c) the animal described in Subsection (3)(a) entered the person's private property
47 without consent.