# Legal liability for dog attacks in South America

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/legal-liability-for-dog-attacks-in-south-america
> Updated: 2026-09-08T00:33:24.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Legal proceedings in Argentina and Brazil have resulted in court-ordered compensations following attacks by dogs on pedestrians.

In Bariloche, Argentina, a civil court ordered a dog owner to pay over 20 million pesos to a woman who suffered severe physical and psychological injuries. The court applied a regime of objective responsibility, holding the owner liable for damages regardless of proven fault.

In Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, the Court of Justice upheld a ruling requiring a pitbull owner to pay R$ 22,259.24 to a 12-year-old girl. The court rejected defense arguments and noted the owner failed in his duty of custody, describing the residence walls as “extremely low” and “notoriously inadequate” for containing a large breed.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-08: Rio Grande do Sul court upholds indemnity for girl attacked by pitbull

A Brazilian court upheld a ruling ordering a pitbull owner to pay over R$ 22,000 to a 12-year-old girl injured in an attack after the dog escaped from its home.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-grande-do-sul-court-upholds-indemnity-for-girl-attacked-by-pitbull

### 2026-09-04: Bariloche court orders dog owner to pay 20 million pesos after attack

A Bariloche court ordered a dog owner to pay over 20 million pesos to a woman who suffered severe injuries and required multiple surgeries following a dog attack.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bariloche-court-orders-dog-owner-to-pay-20-million-pesos-after-attack

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Cite as: Legal liability for dog attacks in South America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/legal-liability-for-dog-attacks-in-south-america