Archive article
Originally published in 2019. This article is retained for historical reference. For the current framework, consult our animal law guides and 2026 briefing.
The district court of Frankfurt am Main ruled that the owner, whose dog frightens a running passer-by, must pay for damages. A passer-by ran to the subway and was chased by two free-running dogs, frightened and jumped on the hood and roof of a parked vehicle. The dog owner must be liable for the damage as he should have had the animals under control at all times.
Amtsgerichts Frankfurt am Main, 05.11.1999, Aktenzeichen: 32 C 2314/99-48
Scared passersby