Idaho Dog Law

Liability Statute

Idaho does not have a Dog Bite Statute.

Common Law Liability

In order to recover for injuries caused by a dog, the plaintiff must prove that the dog owner's negligence caused the injury.

Vicious Dog Statute

The Meaning of "Dangerous Dog" and "Vicious Dog"

Under Idaho law, a dog is considered dangerous when a complaint has been made to the sheriff and a notice has been given to the owner. A "vicious dog" is any dog that, when not provoked, physically attacks, wounds, bites, or injures any person who was not trespassing at the time the injury occurred.

Owners' Legal Responsibility

Owners must keep dangerous or vicious dogs in a secure enclosure from which the dog cannot escape and for which entry and exit is controlled by the owner. When not in the enclosure, they must be restrained by a chain that is sufficient to control the dog.

Owner's Liability

In addition to civil liability, violations of the Dangerous Dog Statute carry fines up to $100.

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