The enclosure rule and double damages in Rhode Island

The dogbitelaw.com summary of Rhode Island dog bite law says strict liability attaches for any injury outside the dog's enclosure, and that the statute does not apply inside it. The dogbitelaw.com note on the DuBois v. Quilitzsch decision says a visitor inside a fence or obstruction that gives reasonable notice the area is private was outside the statute's protection.

The statute text on the dogbitelaw.com summary of Rhode Island dog bite law says that if the dog later causes damage again, the owner or keeper pays double the damage and the court orders the dog killed. That makes the first incident the one to prevent.

1. Build the enclosure before the dog arrives.
2. Keep the gate latched and self-closing.
3. Post a visible warning sign.
4. Train every adult in the household on commands.
5. Keep the license and rabies tags current.
6. Tell your insurer which dog is coming.

A provider should explain how the dog behaves around visitors and delivery drivers. A claim that it never needs correcting is a warning sign.