If I understand the law correctly, dogs are held to a different standard that cats. As is owner responsibility. My cat is somewhat aggressive. Hense her name, Psycho B****. Anyway, from what I understand about the law, cats are considered somewhat wild. So, while it is true that she caused an estimated damage of $18,000.00 dollars of potential sales of chinchilla pelts, am I liable for the loss?
2007-11-09 07:38:36 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Here's what I think your getting at...the only difference between a cat and lets say a dog, as far as laws, is, that dogs are required to be on a leash at all times, Cats are not. Pay for damages, yes you will, as well as court costs. Sorry, I know you didnt want to hear that. Perhaps the owner of the pelts has insurance ? That will help HIM, but YOUR not off the hook. You can not control a cat because, yes, it is a "wild" animal although many times it's considered a "domestic" cat, but at the same time, since its yours, you are responsible for damages it does to PROPERTY. Sorry , take 2 aspirins, and call your bank for a loan. Something for your attorney.....could 1 cat do ALL that damage ? He/she must be one tired cat after the "Chinchilla-Fest"...lol As far as the Cat now..? Keep the darn thing, it's only reacting out of instinct. Keep him in the house, whether he likes it or not, or you will be paying for everybodys damaged stuff in the neighborhood after your "reputation" gets out, and it will, bad news flies, get used to that, it's gonna happen. Bad Kitty...Bad Kitty...........One good thing, in my opinion, they should NOT put the cat down, again it was reacting out of instinct, and ummm...do they have machines that can take cat feet prints now ? Nobody can really prove it was your cat right ? Im NOT saying that the man who lost all the pelts should not get compensated, but In this case, this IS a hard one to judge, right ?!
2007-11-09 07:58:22 · answer #1 · answered by kimmy3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You certainly are liable for damages caused by any pets that you may have. I would think that you are not liable for the potential value of the chinchillas pelts, at some future date, but you are liable for their value at the time that your cats crewed them up. You should consult an attorney. If I were you. I would get rid of those animals. You are definitely responsible for controlling your animals. It was your choice whether or not to inflict them onto the world. Some jurisdictions would put your animals to sleep. Are they worth the kind of headaches that they are causing you? Only you can answer that question. Do you really want to be responsible for their vicious acts? Don't you feel a sense of responsibility?
2007-11-09 07:56:55 · answer #2 · answered by Barry W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This would be like saying you have liability for everything she ever killed and all owners are liable too. Its daft. Cats do not have owners as such. They choose to own us. If a dog causes a road accident the owner is liable but this is not so with a cat. Anyway what were the chinchillas doing out if they are so expensive?
2007-11-09 08:53:50 · answer #3 · answered by DJJD 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are absolutely liable, and whether or not the chinchilla rancher had insurance, you'd better hope YOU have insurance, and hope that it covers this, because you're going to have to pay. Guess what? your cat just became an all-indoor cat as well, because ANY repeats of this will, in all likelihood, NOT be covered by your insurance, and you may be required to euthanize the cat as well. Take it from a shepard who has had to deal with owners of marauding dogs, the law is absolute. If it is your animal, you are responsible.
2007-11-09 07:51:32 · answer #4 · answered by Stephen H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you are. Most jurisdictions don't have laws requiring that a cat be leashed or controlled the way a dog must be, but that doesn't mean the owner isn't civilly liable for damage the cat causes.
Richard
2007-11-09 07:49:57 · answer #5 · answered by rickinnocal 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The law varies from state to state. In most states, an owner is required to restrain dogs, but it is not unheard of for statutes to require that cats be controlled just as tightly.
More important: notify your homeowner's insurance company: there is a liability insurance component attached to your homeowner's insurance and it almost certainly covers your exposure for this loss (but only if you notify the carrier of the occurrence and of the claim, if one has been made).
2007-11-09 07:45:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are certainly liable. You'd best hope the chinchilla owner had insurance, or you could wind up having to repay the entire sum. As owner of the cat, you can't pretend it's okay for the cat to behave as cats normally do - it is your responsibility to keep the cat from others' property, period.
2007-11-09 07:44:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It depends on local laws. In almost every state cats are considered feral animals, hence the lack of licensing for cats vs licensing for dags. Get a good lawyer is my advice.
2007-11-09 07:47:22 · answer #8 · answered by brucifer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chinchillas are somewhat psycho themselves.
i am REALLY surprised that 1 cat could destroy several live chinchillas, unless they were separated and muzzled or something.
2007-11-09 08:01:58 · answer #9 · answered by nickipettis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know where you live. But alot of cities forbid loose cats. And besides, I question the truth of your inquiry
2007-11-09 07:48:55 · answer #10 · answered by Clueless 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋