Also called animals domitae or mansuetae naturae, the terms refer to animals considered tame because they have been domesticated. Example: dog, cat, horse, or cow. These animals are presumed tame, and the owner is held liable only if he is aware that the particular animal in question already has shown a propensity to cause harm. See also One-Bite Rule.
The common law divides animals into two categories: domesticated animals and wild animals (fera naturae). While owners may be liable for the acts of domesticated animals if they were negligent or had reason to know of specific propensities for danger, owners who possess or harbor wild animals will be strictly liable for injuries the wild animal causes. By comparison, an owner is not strictly liable for injuries of wild animals that are indigenous and wander freely on owner’s land.
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