It was recently reported that a camel was on the loose in Bonner Springs, Kansas. The article noted that police and animal control officers followed the camel through a golf course, along K7 Highway, and then apprehended it in a neighborhood. Luckily, it doesn't appear the camel caused any injuries. But what if it had? As a personal injury lawyer handling dog bite cases in Missouri and Kansas, here’s how I think a camel attack case might go down.
First, the same rules that apply to keeping a dog under control also require camel owners to keep their camels under control. Bonner Springs ordinance number 2-113 states, “It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully allow any animal or fowl under his or her control to be or to run at large within the City.” Whether the animal is a dog or a camel, this law requires them to be kept under control.
This law not only requires a fine when it's broken, it can also create a civil claim for damages if it's broken and someone gets hurt because of it. Called negligence per se, this is a civil claim for damages arising out of the violation of some law. In this case, if the animal on the loose bites or hurts someone, then the person failing to keep the animal under control can be liable for damages stemming from the bite or attack.
Finally, the claim would likely be covered by the homeowner's insurance policy of the camel owner. Most homeowner’s insurance policies provide coverage for dog or animal attack cases. If it is not covered, or if there is no insurance, the only hope of recovery would be from the camel owner directly.
Whether the animal is a camel or dog, the claim is nearly identical. You have a right to money compensation if you are injured by an animal on the loose. Hopefully that never happens and certainly not by a camel. If so, you are welcome to contact our firm and tap into our knowledge and experience handling animal bite cases.