Our VerdictsMr. Stephen’s Dog Bite Verdict

Mr. Stephen defended a homeowner whose dog bite a neighbor while the neighbor came to check on the house and the dog while the owner was on vacation. The owner had given the neighbor instructions about taking care of the dog. The neighbor fed and watered the dog and took him from his cage to walk him in the back yard. When trying to return the dog the its cage in house, the dog bit the neighbor in the face severely lacerating the neighbor’s lips and cheek. She filed suit against the owner alleging ordinary negligence and violation of the Illinois Animal Control Act. The court found no evidence of negligence against the owner and found that the neighbor acted as the custodian of the dog taking the case out of the scope of the Animal Control Act and therefore found in favor of the owner.