We have all seen it - the dog and his family being sued by some individual because either the dog attacked them or the dog was injured somehow. It often happens due to the owner's poor following of safety guidelines of the animal. The owner ends up in trouble with the court because the dog was not within the realms of the owner's supervision. These cases all too often end in the same way.

This sort of case is usually only won by the owner when it is something outside of that owners control - like his dog is attacked or the dog frees itself.

It's a hidden cost of being a dog owner, and it's why leash and obedience training is so important.

It is inevitable. If you do not have full control over your dog at all times you can be slapped in the face by the liability of owning one.

Despite the costs you may incur, it is worth it to keep your dog in both a cage or fence as well as on a cord. No matter what the expense of it is, it money well spent because you are saving your dog or somebody else.

I remember one case where a small boy was bit by a dog and the dog's owners had no liability. The dog was on a line and inside a fence. The boy climbed the fence and taunted the dog (a Chow Chow). As soon as the parents determined the dog's shots were up to date they accepted full responsibility for their son.

Sadly, there aren't many examples like the one above where an owner took the time and effort to keep everybody safe.