Everyone knows that a dog guards its territory.  One is most likely to get bitten by a dog when one is in the dog’s yard or house.

Unfortunately the dog owner is exposed to greater liability when his dog bites someone at home.  The law says it doesn’t matter if the dog has ever bitten before or if the dog was not a dangerous breed.  As long as the guest had a legal right to be on the property and did not provoke the dog, the dog owner is responsible for the medical expenses associated with the bite.  If the owner was previously aware of the vicious nature of the dog, he will be liable for the full array of damages, including pain and suffering.

These rules suggest that owners should be careful in allowing their dogs to roam in the yard and allowing dogs to remain unrestrained in the house when guests are in the house also.