Pit Bull Acted in Self-Defense and Should Not Have Been Deemed “Dangerous;” ”Dangerous” Finding Can Not Be Based Solely On the Dog’s Breed

The Third Department determined that a pit bull had acted in self-defense when attacked by another dog which broke free of its leash and, on that basis, reversed the “dangerous dog” finding.  The Third Department noted that a “dangerous dog” finding should not be based solely on the breed of the dog:

The condemnation of an individual dog in the context of a dangerous dog proceeding solely by virtue of its breed is without any legal basis. We have  repeatedly  held  that  “‘there is no  persuasive  authority  for the proposition that a court should take judicial notice of the ferocity of any  particular type or breed  of domestic animal'” … .  Matter of People … v Shanks, 514029, 3rd Dept 4-4-13

DOG BITE