Nebraska dog liability for owners of strong dogs

Nebraska has a bite statute, and the common law rules still sit alongside it.

German Shepherd in a blue harness panting happily

01What the statute says

The dogbitelaw.com summary of Nebraska dog bite law quotes Nebraska Revised Statute 54-601, which makes the owner of a dog liable for all damages to any person other than a trespasser who is bitten, and for a dog killing, wounding, injuring, worrying or chasing a person or domestic animals. It says the statute reaches injuries other than bites, such as scratches and knock-downs.

02Other grounds and defenses

The same page says a Nebraska victim can also use negligence, negligence per se, scienter and intentional tort. The dogbitelaw.com note on the playful and mischievous limit says the Nebraska Supreme Court in Underhill v. Hobelman kept a rule that the statute does not apply to a dog's playful or mischievous acts.

What it means for buyersA trained protection dog is not playful in the legal sense, so assume the statute would apply. Fencing, warning signs, a reliable recall and insurance are the practical protection. Ask a Nebraska attorney how this applies to you.

03Filing deadline

dogbitelaw.com lists Nebraska Revised Statute 25-207 as the source of the filing deadline for dog bite cases. Ask an attorney for the current time limit.

04Insurance and housing

Tell your insurer what dog is coming and read your lease or association rules first. State law does not override either.

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