Fairfax personal injury attorney Ben Glass posts news and opinions about northern virginia personal injury legal topics including medical malpractice, car, truck and SUV accidents, premises liability (slip and fall) and denial of long-term disability insurance claims. Mr. Glass serves Fairfax and all areas of NOVA. http://northernvirginia.injuryboard.com/property-owners-liability-slip-and-fall/recent-comments/ I was recently bitten on the public sidewalk by a German Shepherd that is frequently unrestrained both on and off the owner's leased residential property. I have filed a complaint and the court date is Oct. 16th. Last week the dog was observed unrestrained on a neighbor's property. As I had been instructed I contacted animal control. The animal officer who responed on this occasion informed me that contrary to what the magistrate and the other animal control officer had told me, "dogs in Fairfax County are allowed to run free on the owner's property and the property of others who have granted the owner that permission."<br /><br />Who is correct? The magistrate and first animal control officer or the second animal control officer? <br /><br />Ben's Answer: Generally speaking a dog can run free on it's owners property and, I would suspect, on anyone else's property where permission has been granted. You said that you were bitten on the public sidewalk, so it wouldn't seem to matter.<br />Whether the dog's owner is responsible for your injuries involves a number of factors and you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can analyze all of the facts for you. http://northernvirginia.injuryboard.com/property-owners-liability-slip-and-fall/dog-bite-law-in-virginia.aspx?googleid=204718#C1486 A comment on Dog Bite Law in Virginia Property Owner's Liability (Slip & Fall) Premises Liability Jean Tue, 03 Oct 2006 10:42:49 GMT