Cipriano v. Hank

This is a dog-bite case arising in February 1991, with the action purportedly commenced eight months later. The parties see the allegedly offending dog differently. The adolescent plaintiff, by her guardian and counsel, refers to a "Rottweiler canine animal.” To defendant, a building superintendent employed by the separately sued corporate owner of the premises where the alleged bite occurred, his pet was "a puppy” which he had kept for "a couple of months” prior to the incident, during which time it "had never bitten nor attacked anyone.”

It is said, loosely speaking, that every dog should…