fo sho!

Of course they should.

they def should... the same way people are often held responsible (finacially) for the actions of their kids while they are still minors

It depends. Who started what ya know? What are the circumstances? I've been walking my lab (on a leash) and seen unleashed dogs run at him. If the said dog that runs at him was little and my lab did damage to the small dog - that wouldn't be my fault nor my dogs fault. My dog was defending himself and it's the fault of the unleashed dog's owner.

chancleta - i don't think you would be held responsible if your dog was leashed and acted in self-defense

if the owner is not responsible then who is? The other party? the state?

Sure they should.

Owners should know what their type and breed of pet is capable of before they get it, and be willing to accept that risk. If you don't believe your pit bull is capable of biting someone, you probably shouldn't buy it.

ofcourse, if they aren't then who is??

But OF COURSE they should! Who else?! God?

Yes an owner has responsibility, but if the dog is leashed and an unleashed dog attacks them, and your dog does more damage than it's the fault of the unleashed Dog! Even if that dog is smaller. You are following the law.

By law, the owner is responsible. I know from experience. Long story short, a woman was walking her leashed dogs and I was holding my leashed dog until she walked by. My dog broke free (she was very strong) and in the ensuing dog fight the woman got nipped. We got sued. We paid over a thousand dollars for that little kerfuffle. Expensive lesson.

I think so. I have a rottweiler and if she did something terrible (heaven forbid), we would be liable.

Jacki
_______________________________________________________________
Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for a federal anti-smoking campaign
Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life.

They should definitely be responsable!
I have an elderly relative who was walking his Beagle in Toronto (on leash, on the sidewalk) when an offleash Pittbull attacked him and his dog. His dog lived but was really badly injured and it cost him thousands in vet bills. He was also injured while trying to protect his dog (stitches, bruises). The owner of the Pittbull didn't get in trouble because his dog was in a fenced yard moments before it happened (obviously not a high enough fence!!!!!).