Bad Dog: The World According to Flanders

This course will analyze negligence actions involving dog bites and other dog-related injuries in light of the Court of Appeals' recent decision in Flanders v. Goodfellow. Topics will include: new controlling case law, common claims and defenses, understanding what qualifies as evidence of a vicious propensity, and more.

This program provides a critical update for personal injury practitioners, detailing how the Flanders decision overturns decades of precedent and what it means for current and future litigation. The presenter explains the new two-pronged approach to liability, where plaintiffs may now pursue claims based on ordinary negligence in addition to, or instead of, strict liability. The course explores the retroactive application of this ruling, the practical implications for discovery and pleading, and how this shift affects specific liability scenarios involving landlords, veterinary clinics, and dog walkers.

Key learning outcomes and topics include:

• An in-depth analysis of Flanders v. Goodfellow and the overturning of the Bard v. Jahnke rule.
• The new role of vicious propensity and how it coexists with negligence claims.
• The impact of Flanders on prior controlling case law, including Doerr, Hewitt, Hastings, and Strunk.
• Strategies for amending complaints and handling summary judgment motions under the new standard.
• Liability considerations for landlords, dog handling services, and businesses.
• An overview of municipal dangerous dog hearings under Agriculture and Markets Law Section 123 and their effect on civil suits.

Whether you represent plaintiffs or defendants, understanding the nuances of this seismic shift in New York law is essential. Join us to navigate the new rules of the road for animal liability and ensure your practice is up to date with the World According to Flanders.