Bizarre, Environment, Society, Torts

Bad Dog, Good Fox: Chinese Man Discovers that His Dog is Rare Arctic Fox

arctic-foxA Chinese man identified only as Zhang, of Tunkou, has learned that he does not have a bad dog after all — he has a good Arctic fox. Zhang was unhappy that his dog could not be trained, repeatedly bit him, and smelled despite repeated shampooing.

He was sold the fox as an all-white Pomeranian dog for £60 a year ago. He first noticed that it would not bark.135px-a_white_pomeranian_enjoying_a_treat “It can’t bark but instead makes little ’em em’ noises, and its tail has been growing longer and longer,.” That there was the scent during the summer and the fact that it continued to bite him.

His account confirms the tort doctrine that animals are considered wild and subject to strict liability for if they lack animus revertendi, the habit of return. No matter how many times you shampoo a fox, it smells and remains a fox. The interesting question would have been if he was sued for a bite to someone else. Lack of knowledge or mistake is generally not a defense. It is the possession of a wild animal that triggers strict liability rather than negligence.

For the full story, click here.

7 thoughts on “Bad Dog, Good Fox: Chinese Man Discovers that His Dog is Rare Arctic Fox”

  2. Many years ago, I was witness to a person in northen New Brunswick (Canada) which had a pet Arctic Fox. It remains a mistery how he had obtained that animal in southern Canada. His fox was actually lost and was roaming on our property and we were really puzzled because it was the first time we ever saw an arctic fox. We knew full well it was not in its native habitat.

  4. rcampbell,

    You should pass out those “air fresheners” people hang in their cars as ID tags!

    mespo,

    That fox would give trouble, even to Fred Willard, at the dog show.

    It sure is beautiful.

  5. Darn there’s goes that that invitation to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show! Maybe a gig on “Animal Planet” though or even the new “Wild Kingdom” show sans Marlin Perkins and Jim (“Stay Out of the Water With The Anaconda”)Fowler.

  6. “….could not be trained, repeatedly bit him, and smelled despite repeated shampooing.”

    Over the years I’ve had salesmen working for me that would meet that desciption.

  7. I am thinking that this guy needs some new glasses. The only similarity between a Pomeranian dog is the color of the fur.

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