Court Opinion

ID: 5420685
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-08 16:27:52.576096+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:31:13.324819
License: Public Domain

Lydon, J.
(dissenting). I dissent. It is uncontroverted that the dog was upon the public highway unmuzzled and not on a leash, *183in violation of a city ordinance. Defendant admitted that he did not have a license, a leash or a muzzle for this two-year old police dog, although he owned the dog for almost two years.
A dog let loose in the public street by the owner or his agent unmuzzled and not on a leash is there through the negligence of his owner, as such presence constitutes the violation of an ordinance, and in such circumstances the owner is liable for any injury committed by the dog. (Buchanan v. Stout, 139 App. Div. 204.)
It was a question of fact for the trial court to determine whether or not the dog was out on the public highway in Lonigan’s care with the consent or knowledge of the owner. To be sure, Lonigan’s testimony is equivocal but he did testify that he was a roomer in the defendant’s house and had charge of the dog. This was sufficient to enable the trial court to resolve the question in favor of the plaintiff and I see no reason why such finding should be disturbed. I vote for affirmance.