Owning pets like dogs, cats, and goats is common in Nigeria — but with ownership comes legal responsibility. This episode of Legal Matters examined how Nigerian law assigns liability to pet owners when animals cause harm, and what victims can do to seek justice.
⚖️ The Legal Framework
Criminal Code Act (Sections 211–212): Holds owners liable if their negligence allows animals to cause harm.
Scienter Rule (common law): Makes owners liable if they knew of their pet’s dangerous tendencies.
Police Act (Section 27): Criminalizes using dogs to threaten or injure others.
Local Government By-laws: Regulate issues like roaming animals, nuisance, and vaccination.
🐕 Dogs and Rising Liability Cases
Dogs are the most common pets in Nigeria, and dog-bite cases are on the rise. For example, landlords can be held liable if an unrestrained dog bites a visitor. Many states also enforce rabies vaccination and licensing laws to protect the public.
🧑🏾⚖️ Liability and Remedies
Strict liability applies to wild animals — owners are automatically responsible for harm caused.
For domesticated pets, liability usually depends on negligence.
Victims can sue for trespass, nuisance, negligence, or seek injunctions and compensation.
⚠️ Defences Available to Owners
Pet owners may argue that the animal was provoked, the victim was a trespasser, or the harm was due to unforeseeable circumstances. Still, the law expects owners to act responsibly and prevent foreseeable harm.
✅ Final Takeaway
The episode highlighted that pet ownership is not just a privilege but a legal duty. Owners must take precautions, obey local regulations, and ensure their animals do not endanger others. Failure to do so could result in both civil lawsuits and criminal penalties.