I manage a small hotel, and one of my employees had a burst pipe due to weather, so I allowed him to stay for a night at the hotel AND bring his dog (our hotel is pet-friendly). He brought the dog down to the front desk with him while he worked (overnight), and allowed the dog to roam the lobby freely. Luckily, nothing happened (it's a really friendly dog!), but I was wondering what my hotel's liability would have been, had the dog bitten a guest? Would the liability fall on the dog owner, or would the hotel be held responsible as well?
Popeye4202010-01-12T11:10:50Z
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This would be more question for an attorney within your state.
I would imagine that the owner of the animal as well as the hotel would be liable for any issues pertaining to the dog. Being that the hotel is pet friendly, I am sure that there are guidelines set by the insurer as well as state guidelines. Allowing the animal to run free within the halls of the hotel is risky to say the least, especially being that the owner is an employee of the hotel.
If an individual had been bitten by the dog, they would go after the person with the deeper pockets, i.e. your hotel and they owner. I'd make sure that you follow the regulations required by pet friendly hotels. I may even reprimand the employee because you simply did them a favor and they acted irresponsibly by allowing their dog to run free. Also keep in mind that most states, if not all have some sort of leash law regarding animals. Plus many people fear dogs. You put your job, occupants, and employer at serious risk.
The best thing you should do for liability purposes is to ask the employee to take the dog home or to a friend to take care of. If by some chance this dog bit someone your hotel is liable not only for medical expenses but for any other expenses that would occur. By allowing the dog to stay in the hotel makes your hotel responsible. This my friend is a lawsuit waiting to happen. You need to get that dog out of your hotel asap.
There's a concept in the law known as the "one-bite" rule. If the dog has never done anything violent or aggressive in the past, no one can be said to be negligent when the dog does something out of character for the first time. If an animal had a history of violence on the other hand, I would imagine that an employer could be liable if they allowed employees to keep such animals on their property.
I have a dog who bit a 7 yr old girl. My dog was inside my garage. The girl lean on the grills of my fence while she was waiting to her friends (according to her). Do i liable to the victim?
out of your description of what befell not sure which dogs strengthen into the aggressor. You mentioned the different dogs ended up in the well being center. It befell on your assets, you may desire to have had administration of your dogs. talk with a criminal professional approximately it. in case you do no longer sue, they could enhance your coverage rates lots.