If a dog bites someone who did nothing to provoke it, the dog's owner is responsible for paying for the harm done — no matter if the dog was ever mean before. The owner is also responsible if the dog damages property or livestock. If the person who got hurt was partly at fault, the owner pays less based on how much that person was to blame. On top of paying for damages, the owner can also be fined up to one thousand dollars.
273.036. Owner , when — , amount. — 1. The owner or of any dog that bites, without , any person while such person is on public property, or lawfully on private property, including the property of the owner or possessor of the dog, is for suffered by persons bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner's or possessor's knowledge of such viciousness. Owners and possessors of dogs shall also be strictly liable for any damage to property or by their dogs. If it is determined that the damaged had in the incident, any damages owed by the owner or possessor of the biting dog shall be reduced by the same percentage that the damaged party's fault contributed to the incident. The of this section shall not apply to dogs killing or maiming sheep or other domestic animals under section 273.020.
2. Any person who is held liable under the provisions of 1 of this section shall pay a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars. The provided by this section are in addition to and with any other provided by or .
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Source & history notes
(L. 2009 H.B. 62)
Related Missouri laws
Killing or injuring a dog, reasonable apprehension of imminent harm is an absolute defense
RSMo 273.033
Dog defined
RSMo 273.040
Dogs may be killed, when
RSMo 273.030
Dog tax, when due
RSMo 273.050
Recovery of damages for sheep killed
RSMo 273.020
Amount of tax
RSMo 273.060
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.