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What are the most common factors showing a dog owner knew or should have known their animal may be vicious?

The most common factors demonstrating that a dog owner knew or should have known their animal may be vicious include, but are not limited to:

  • Frequently confined animal –may indicate a dangerous animal.
  • Dog is kept outside —keeping a poorly behaved dog outside allows the dog to practice that bad behavior.
  • Owner warning strangers about animal —may indicate animal might cause harm to others.
  • Dog kept on a chain —chained dogs can become more aggressive. Keeping a chained dog is illegal in most places.
  • Muzzling —may indicate a dangerous dog.
  • Warning signs on property —may indicate owner knows dog is dangerous.
  • Size of animal —the larger the animal, the greater the chance of causing injuries.
  • Animal breed —such as pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds.
  • Aggressive behavior —frequent snapping and biting shows owner knowledge.
  • Owner received complaints about dog —but did nothing or not enough.
  • Animal fights with other animals —may demonstrate vicious nature.

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