dog bite suit

i reside in virginia, and i am being sued in a civil suit for a dog bite. i do not reside at the residence, was not there when it occured, and am only allowed access to the dog when the co-owner (my ex) is home, which he was not. they are suing me basically because my name is on the animals registration papers, although i no longer have any responsibility financially to the dog. i make very little money and have no assets at all. i'm having a problem obtaining representation, and really need some advice.

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Originally posted by trinastockes
i reside in virginia, and i am being sued in a civil suit for a dog bite. i do not reside at the residence, was not there when it occured, and am only allowed access to the dog when the co-owner (my ex) is home, which he was not. they are suing me basically because my name is on the animals registration papers, although i no longer have any responsibility financially to the dog. i make very little money and have no assets at all. i'm having a problem obtaining representation, and really need some advice.

My response:

What kind of "advice" would you like ? Please be specific.

Please detail all of your efforts, thus far, to obtain representation.

IAAL

well, i'm trying to obtain some type of representation for low income - i only make about 6000 a year, and if i don't reply to their motion for judgement in 21 days then they can win by default. legal aid isn't very interested in helping a defendent in a dog bite case. i'm completely lost at this point!!!

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

Since the purpose of these Boards is to answer certain, specific, legal questions, we are not equipped to help you with specific legal Pleadings, and to take you through the necessary processes of practicing law. Doing so would be beyond the scope of these boards, and require legal training.

However, I can suggest that you go to your local LAW SCHOOL college law library to do the necessary legal research, the location of proper forms, and the writing of an opposition to their Motion. You'll also obtain a wealth of information and direction from the Law Library's librarian. Bring all of your legal papers with you for reference.

We wish you good luck in your endeavor.

IAAL

ok. well can someone explain to me how i can be held liable when my ownership is on paper only....hypothetically speaking i guess

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Originally posted by trinastockes
ok. well can someone explain to me how i can be held liable when my ownership is on paper only....hypothetically speaking i guess

My response:

There's nothing hypothetical about it.

Think of it this way. Make believe, for a moment, that it's not a dog, but a car.

When you are the co-owner of a car, and your name is on the title and registration, you are responsible for whatever happens when someone else is driving that car, and with your permission to drive.

The same concept is involved here.

Your name is on the ownership papers of that dog, and you permitted him to keep the dog, and to see to it that the dog wouldn't bite someone. Since he failed in his duties, and you failed to have your name removed from the ownership papers of the dog, you have just as much responsibility for what happened as he does, just because you're an owner.

You may not have control of the dog, but that's not the point. You should have taken your name off of the ownership papers - - but, for some unknown reason, you felt it necessary to keep your name on those papers. Bad move.

Never keep your name on the ownership papers of ANYTHING unless you are the one maintaining control.

IAAL