MUNICIPAL LAW: Governmental immunity bars volunteer’s dog bite claim

It was alleged that the plaintiff volunteered at a local dog pound and was bitten when attempting to separate dogs that were fighting.  The plaintiff sued the municipality, alleging that it was the owner and keeper of the dogs.  The plaintiff sought to recover under Connecticut’s dog bite statute, C.G.S. §22-357.  The Town of Windham moved to strike the claim, arguing that governmental immunity applied and that there was no applicable exception.  The Court grants the motion, finding that governmental immunity bars strict liability under the dog bite statute.

Miles v. Town of Windham (August 27, 2015)