Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Jurisprudence and Foundations of Islamic Law, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Qom, Qom, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Imamiyyah Jurisprudence and Law, Faculty of Jurisprudence and Law, International University of Islamic Denominations, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Considering the requirements of modern life and the domestic keeping of cats, an issue that necessitates particular examination is the owner's liability for damages caused by the animal. Therefore, the present study, using a descriptive-analytical method and comparing the opinions of Imamiyyah and Sunni jurists, is an attempt to evaluate the extent of the owner's liability for damages caused by the act of a domestic cat. The research findings indicate a jurisprudential disagreement on this issue. Although the majority of jurists hold the opinion of non-liability of the owner for damages caused by the animal's behavior, this view faces serious criticism. Upon close examination of the evidences for the various viewpoints on this matter, what is concluded is the strict liability of the owner for damages arising from the animal's behavior, as the preferred view in this issue. On the other hand, the legislator's approach in this regard is also varied. In the Civil Code, the view of fault-based liability is confirmed, while in the Penal Code, the view of liability conditioned upon the animal's harmful nature is adopted. This situation, in turn, necessitates a revision of the law and the establishment of a uniform procedure on this issue.
The findings of the research indicate a jurisprudential disagreement on this issue. Although the majority of jurists hold that the owner is not liable for damages caused by the animal’s behavior, this view faces serious criticism. A thorough analysis of the various arguments suggests that strict liability of the owner for the damages caused by the animal’s behavior is the preferred opinion in this matter.
On the other hand, the legislator's approach differs in this regard: the Civil Code adopts a fault-based liability model, while the Penal Code considers liability conditional on the animal’s aggressive nature. This divergence highlights the need for legal reform and harmonization of legal practice concerning this issue.
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Main Subjects
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