Utah
State dog bite statute
Utah has a law that is favorable to dog bite
victims because it makes owners and keepers of dogs liable for all injuries,
whether resulting from bites or any other conduct of the dogs:
Utah Code Section 18-1-1.
Liability of owners -- Scienter -- Dogs used in law enforcement. Every
person owning or keeping a dog shall be liable in damages for injury committed
by such dog, and it shall not be necessary in any action brought therefor
to allege or prove that such dog was of a vicious or mischievous disposition
or that the owner or keeper thereof knew that it was vicious or mischievous;
but neither the state nor any county, city, or town in the state nor any
peace officer employed by any of them shall be liable in damages for injury
committed by a dog when: (1) The dog has been trained to assist in law
enforcement, and (2) the injury occurs while the dog is reasonably and
carefully being used in the apprehension, arrest, or location of a suspected
offender or in maintaining or controlling the public order.
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