2019 Connecticut General Statutes
Title 22 - Agriculture. Domestic Animals
Chapter 435 - Dogs and Other Companion Animals. Kennels and Pet Shops
Section 22-357 - Damage by dogs to person or property.

(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Law enforcement officer” means: Each officer, employee or other person otherwise paid by or acting as an agent of (A) the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; (B) the Office of the State Capitol Police; (C) a municipal police department; and (D) the Department of Correction;

(2) “Property” includes, but is not limited to, a companion animal, as defined in section 22-351a; and

(3) “The amount of such damage”, with respect to a companion animal, includes expenses of veterinary care, the fair monetary value of the companion animal and burial expenses for the companion animal.

(b) If any dog does any damage to either the body or property of any person, the owner or keeper, or, if the owner or keeper is a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor, shall be liable for the amount of such damage, except when such damage has been occasioned to the body or property of a person who, at the time such damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog. If a minor, on whose behalf an action under this section is brought, was under seven years of age at the time such damage was done, it shall be presumed that such minor was not committing a trespass or other tort, or teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog, and the burden of proof thereof shall be upon the defendant in such action. In an action under this section against a household member of a law enforcement officer to whom has been assigned a dog owned by a law enforcement agency of the state, any political subdivision of the state or the federal government for damage done by such dog, it shall be presumed that such household member is not a keeper of such dog and the burden of proof shall be upon the plaintiff to establish that such household member was a keeper of such dog and had exclusive control of such dog at the time such damage was sustained.

(1949 Rev., S. 3404; 1953, S. 1842d; 1969, P.A. 439, S. 1; P.A. 13-223, S. 1; P.A. 15-26, S. 1; P.A. 17-12, S. 1.)

History: 1969 act added provision re actions brought on behalf of minors; P.A. 13-223 added provision defining “property” and “the amount of such damage” re a companion animal, and made conforming changes; P.A. 15-26 added provision re action brought against household member of law enforcement officer assigned a dog owned by law enforcement agency of the state, political subdivision of the state or federal government; P.A. 17-12 added Subsec. (a) re definitions, designated existing provisions re dog that does damage as Subsec. (b) and amended same by deleting definitions of “property” and “the amount of such damage”.