Maryland Senate Oks Strict Liability for All Dog Bites

The Maryland Senate has voted to change a state law so that it creates a strict liability standard for owners of all dogs, not just pit bulls.

The change was in response to a court ruling that determined pit bulls are “inherently dangerous” animals.

The Senate voted on the measure Friday.

The bill addresses an April decision by Maryland’s highest court that created a breed-specific, strict-liability standard for owners of pit bulls or pit bull breeds.

Under the ruling, a pit bull owner could be liable for a dog bite without previous evidence of the dog being dangerous.

The passed bill also reverses a part of the ruling by the Maryland Court of Appeals that made landlords strictly liable for pit bull bites.

The House must vote next.