Liability

[nube]

Knowledge of a dangerous situation or "negligence" has little to do with civil liability. In criminal cases, such knowledge or negligence does matter. But you ought to take into account that in civil cases, where the costs of defending oneself in court can also be quite high, the mere fact that you are the owner of the dog might be enough for a case.

I think negligence is applicable in civil cases as well. Wakerton is an example of where the operators (employees) were held personally liable for failing to carry out the job they 'knew' had to be done. In any case you're right the costs to defend in civil is very high as well.In my occupation, we get sued regularily (road maintaince) we don't usually lose because of the policies and proceedures in place, but there is always a lawyer who will take on a case, knowing he will not likely win for the client. Usually it gets dropped just before court - but the lawyers still get paid.