House of Representatives

HB 2251

dog bites; defense

Sponsors: Representatives Brotherton: Voss, Weason, Senator Verkamp

 

DP

Committee on Judiciary

w/d

Committee on Retirement & Government Operations

DP

Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance

dp

Caucus and COW

dp

Third Read

 

x

As Transmitted to the Governor

 

HB 2251 states that the issue of the defense of provocation at a trial for damages shall be determined by whether a reasonable person would expect that the plaintiff’s conduct or the circumstances would be likely to provoke a dog.

 

History

Arizona law generally makes a dog owner liable for damages if the dog bites another person.  Section 11-1027 of the Arizona Revised Statutes allows proof of provocation of the attack by the plaintiff to be a defense to the action for damages.

 

Provisions

Ø      Specifies that the issue of provocation at a trial for damages shall be determined by whether a reasonable person would expect that the plaintiff’s conduct or the circumstances would be likely to provoke a dog.