Man’s Best Friend and the Law

The law affects just about every aspect of the world we live in. Pets are no exception. Nolo Press has published a book on laws affecting dogs and their owners, titled Every Dog’s Legal Guide and written by Mary Randolph. Not only is the information in this book useful to current owners, but it also has a section on buying a dog for those soon-to-be owners.

This books answers dozens of important questions, including why you should license your dog and what happens if your pet is impounded. The book also answers the following questions (and more):

• What duty does your veterinarian have to your dog?
• How do I legally travel with my dog?
• What can I do if my neighbor has a noisy dog?
• What are the laws surrounding assistance dogs?
• How can I make sure my dog is provided for if something happens to me?

This book also has a sizable section on dog bites, in the unfortunate situation of being bitten by a dog or your dog having bitten someone. According to the book, there are more than 4.7 million people bitten by dogs in the U.S. per year, so this section is especially helpful. Let’s say you were bitten by a neighbor's dog and require medical attention. The book explains under what laws you can sue in small claims court (strict liability, “one-bite” rules, and negligence laws.) Included is information on what specific damages you can sue for and sample letters.

Like other Nolo publications, this book is well organized, informative, and written in easy to understand language. Check it out if you’re having some dog-related legal issue, considering buying a dog, or are simply interested in what the law has to say about man’s best friend. Find this book at REF KF 390.5 .D6R36 2013, in the shelf to the right of the reference desk. Happy reading!

- Joy
Law Library Intern