Is the Landlord Liable for a Tenant's Dog Bite in Tennessee?

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Tennessee's dog statute defines the owner in a way that usually excludes landlords.

The definition

An owner is a person who, at the time of the damage, regularly harbors, keeps or exercises control over the dog, and the statute adds that land ownership alone is not enough to qualify a landowner as a regular harborer, even if the landowner gave permission to a third person to keep the dog on the land.

What that means

A landlord who merely owns the building is generally outside the statute. A landlord that actually keeps or controls the dog, for example by taking the dog in, can fall inside it.

Temporary keepers

A person who is only temporarily harboring, keeping or controlling the dog at the time is also excluded from the definition.

Other theories

We did not locate a Tennessee decision on a landlord's separate negligence liability, so treat that as a question for an attorney.

Deadline

One year, under TCA 28-3-104.

This is general information, not legal advice, and the state comparisons above are illustrative, not an exhaustive survey. Confirm how Tennessee's rules apply to your specific case with a licensed Tennessee attorney.