In Minnesota the owner of a dog is responsible if their dog bites or otherwise causes an injury to someone. There is a common misperception that an owner is not responsible for the first person bitten by the dog. This is not true in Minnesota. The owner is responsible even if the dog had never been aggressive before this injury.
The only exceptions to this rule is if the dog is provoked or if the person injured is in a place where they are not legally permitted. An example of this would be if a person is trespassing on someone’s property they can’t claim the protection of this law if they are bitten by the person’s dog.
If you have more questions, please give Todd Johnson a call at 1-320-262-3551 or e-mail him to talk to without charge or obligation.