Maine Landlords Will Be Strictly Liable for Dog Bites If Legislation Passes

Legislation recently introduced in Maine would, if enacted, make landlords "strictly liable" (legally responsible even if the landlord is not at fault) for injuries to any person caused by a tenant's pet.

Here's the language: "A tenant and that tenant's landlord are jointly and severally liable for damages caused to a third party by that tenant's pet. For purposes of this section, "pet" means any domesticated animal normally maintained in or near the household of its owner."