Pet containment refers to the confinement of a dog or other domestic animal to a specified territory. Owners of dogs deemed as dangerous or vicious may have a pet containment order issued against them when their dogs seriously injure another person and they are found to be liable. The pet containment involves the use of an electronic collar or electronic fence that shocks the dog when it approaches the dog owner’s property boundary (or that of its harborer or keeper). If you reside in Colorado and were bitten by a dog, a Colorado personal injury attorney can explain the dog bite laws and your rights under the law.
Types of Electronic Pet Containment Systems
Some examples or electronic pet containment systems include the following:
- Indoor Radio Fence. A transmitter sends a signal to the dog’s receiver collar when it comes within a range set by the dog owner, usually anywhere from 2 to 20 feet of the fence. A warning tone goes off, followed by a mild static shock that prompts the dog to move back from the property boundary.
- Instant Fence. The dog hears a warning tone, which is followed by a static, light energy pulse that startles the dog when he wanders out of the safe zone.
- K-9 Containment Fencing System. The dog is fitted with a receiver collar that picks up a signal from the AC transmitter. If the dog approaches and/or tries to cross the boundary, he receives stimulus, which deters the dog.
Electronic fences are not really that more effective in preventing dog bites than ordinary fences. Some dog have the uncanny ability to be resourceful and find another way outside the boundary. Some may get past the boundaries despite the electronic system. Then there is the danger to children. Electronic fences do not prevent children from approaching a dog if the dog is behaving friendly or non-threatening, in part due to the electronic fence.
Colorado Dog Bite Laws
Dog owners can be liable if their dog bites another person and the bite results in serious bodily injury or death, regardless of whether or not the dog was vicious or dangerous, or whether or not the owner knew his dog was dangerous. If the victim was not trespassing at the time of the injury and/or did not provoke the dog, he or she could sue the owner. A Colorado personal injury attorney can examine all of the events surrounding a dog attack and determine if the owner had prior knowledge of his dog being dangerous. If so, the attorney can petition the court to order the dog euthanized at the dog owner’s expense.
How Can a Colorado Personal Injury Attorney Help?
Even though a dog owner has some kind of electronic confinement system in place, he may still be held liable for your injury if he lives in a locality that does not recognize electronic containment systems as a form of legal containment. The experienced Colorado personal injury attorneys at the O’Connell Law Firm, P.C. can review the local ordinances in your area as they pertain to electronic pet confinement and assess whether you have a case. You can get a free initial consultation by contacting their law office.
