Posts Tagged: Legal Liability for Animals

The Nigerian law distinguishes between wild animals (ferae naturae), where owners face strict liability, and domesticated animals (mansuetae naturae), where liability usually depends on negligence.

Owners can face civil liability (trespass, negligence, nuisance) and criminal sanctions (e.g., under the Criminal Code or Police Act) when their pets cause harm.

Defences include provocation, trespass by the victim, or unforeseeable events, but pet owners are still expected to act responsibly.