18-1-1 - Liability of owners -- Scienter -- Dogs used in law enforcement.
18-1-1. Liability of owners -- Scienter -- Dogs used in law enforcement.
Every person owning or keeping a dog shall be liable in damages for injury committed bysuch dog, and it shall not be necessary in any action brought therefor to allege or prove that suchdog was of a vicious or mischievous disposition or that the owner or keeper thereof knew that itwas vicious or mischievous; but neither the state nor any county, city, or town in the state nor anypeace officer employed by any of them shall be liable in damages for injury committed by a dogwhen: (1) The dog has been trained to assist in law enforcement, and (2) the injury occurs whilethe dog is reasonably and carefully being used in the apprehension, arrest, or location of asuspected offender or in maintaining or controlling the public order.
Amended by Chapter 29, 1971 General Session