Can the Humane Society Be Held Liable for Selling a Dog That Bites Someone? Looking for a dog bite lawyer in Missouri?

When a dog bites someone, determining liability can be complex. In most cases, the owner is responsible for their pet’s actions. But what happens when the dog was adopted from a shelter? Can an organization like the Humane Society be held accountable for selling a dog that later bites someone?

The short answer is no—at least according to Missouri law.

The Case: Miles v. Rich v. Humane Society of Missouri

This case took an interesting turn because the plaintiff, Ms. Miles, didn’t sue the Humane Society directly. Instead, the defendant, Ms. Rich, tried to shift some of the blame onto the organization after facing a lawsuit for her dog’s attack.

What Happened?

• Ms. Miles suffered a dog bite and sued the owner, Ms. Rich, for her injuries.
• Ms. Rich, in response, filed a third-party petition against the Humane Society. She argued that they acted negligently by allowing her to adopt the dog without properly screening it or warning her about its aggressive history.
• The trial court dismissed the claim, ruling that the Humane Society had no legal responsibility once the dog left their care. Ms. Rich then appealed the decision.

What the Court Ruled

The Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District upheld the trial court’s decision. The ruling stated that the Humane Society could not be held liable because it did not own or control the dog when the attack occurred.

One key legal principle influenced the ruling:

Possession Determines Liability

Under Restatement (Second) of Torts Section 518, a party can only be held liable for a dog bite if they owned, possessed, or controlled the dog at the time of the attack. Since the Humane Society had already transferred ownership, it was not responsible.

A similar case, Blaha v. Stuard (2002), reinforced this principle. The court ruled that a previous dog owner could not be held accountable for future attacks because they no longer possessed the animal.

Why This Matters

This case highlights the legal responsibilities of pet ownership. Once someone adopts a dog, they assume full responsibility for its behavior. Even if a shelter fails to disclose a dog’s aggressive tendencies, the law does not typically hold them accountable after transferring ownership.

How a Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help

If a dog bite has injured you or a loved one, legal guidance is crucial. Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers assists victims in St. Louis and Columbia in seeking compensation. Whether the attack happened due to an irresponsible owner or a leash law violation, we are ready to protect your rights.

Need legal advice? Contact Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers today.

What We Can Do for You:

✅ Investigate the dog’s history and the circumstances of the attack
✅ Determine if local laws or ordinances were violated
✅ Hold the dog owner accountable for medical bills and damages
✅ Negotiate with insurance companies to secure fair compensation

If you’ve been bitten by a dog, don’t navigate the legal process alone. Call Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers at (888) 550-4026 or visit www.tysonmutrux.com for a free case review.