When Cats Attack: Is There a Law for That?

Animal control laws, such as restrictions of certain dog breeds and leash regulations, aim to lower the chances of a harmful dog bite happening on the streets of Farmington, Utah and other suburban cities. While dog laws are generally accepted as routine in communities like Farmington, are there laws that regulate dogs’ mortal nemeses? 

Dangerous Cat Laws

While there are no laws that specifically speak to the dangers of cats–feral or domesticated–the state of Utah does regulate the possession of a “potentially dangerous animal.” In Farmington, for example, the Davis County Code of Ordinances requires all potentially dangerous animals to be properly restrained, micro-chipped and under control at all times, especially when off the owner’s property. 

Legal Recourse

As in the case of a dog bite, if a cat injures another person or animal, the owner is liable for any and all damages. In the case of a cat bite, a lawyer would ask for as much documentation as possible to help make a case for damages. 

For instance, has the cat shown aggressive behavior before or has it been deemed a dangerous animal by the local animal control? Was this the first time it has bitten someone? Has the cat been in the possession of animal control in the past? Is it up-to-date on its vaccinations? 

A lawyer would also advise taking photographs of the injury as soon as possible after the attack. Photographic evidence can go a long way in reaching a settlement or increasing damages awarded by the court. The same goes for medical documentation: a lawyer can use medical bills as evidence of injury and justification for monetary damages. 

Despite the fact that there are no cat-specific laws in Farmington and throughout the rest of the country, it is possible to sue after a grievous cat attack. While not as common as dog bite cases, cat bite cases do happen and damages can be retrieved from the owners of offending cats. 

Alex Kirkwood is a legal writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Robert J Debry. Follow on Twitter.