Skadevergoeding en die Actio de Pauperie
August 27, 2014
BRING OUT THE BLING – CASUAL DAY – 5 SEPTEMBER 2014
September 23, 2014

Damages and the Actio de Pauperie

A1blOwning a dog can be a very rewarding experience and a boundless source of unconditional love, but at the same time it also brings great responsibility.

I am not just talking about the responsibility to pay the veterinary bills, and feed and exercise your canine companion. If you own a dog, you also have a responsibility to prevent it from causing harm to anyone or their property.

What do you do if your beloved pooch puts you to shame?

The worst happens. Due to circumstances beyond your control your canine sinks his fangs into human flesh. There is blood, an injury, and a shocked and angry victim. Luckily it is a small wound, but before you can mouth an apology, the traumatised party storms off with the words: “You’ll pay for this; see you in court!”

Are you liable for the damage caused by your unfriendly pooch? Well, you could be, depending on the circumstances.

Damages caused by a pet can be claimed from the owner through the Actio de Pauperie. You will be liable for damages if the complainant is successful in proving:

  1. that you were the owner of the animal at the time of infliction of the injury;
  2. that the animal is domesticated;
  3. that the animal acted contrary to the nature of a domesticated animal; and
  4. that the conduct of the animal caused the plaintiff’s damage.

What do you do now?

Well, you have to prove that you have a good defence.  The onus will be on you, as owner of the dog, to prove a valid defence.

You will not be liable for the complainant’s damages if you can successfully prove:

  1. that your poor dog was provoked by the culpable conduct of the complainant;
  2. that your good-for-nothing brother-in-law was in charge of your dog when the injury was inflicted, in other words a third party had control over the animal and the damage occurred due to that person’s negligence;
  3. the unlawful presence of the plaintiff on the premises, in other words that he or she had no legal right to be there;
  4. that the plaintiff knew of the risk and voluntarily accepted the risk; and
  5. that the owner is not responsible for damages caused by his animal in terms of an existing indemnity agreement between the parties.

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice.

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