A PECULIAR ROMAN REQUIREMENT: Walk Your Furry Friend or Get Fined
If you live in Rome and feel too lazy to walk your dog, you better think twice before breaking the law. Wait, the law? Yes! In 2005, the city of Rome passed a law requiring every dog owner to walk their furry friend at least once a day if they wanted to avoid a fine. This was one of the multiple laws protecting the safety and well-being of Roman animals. The city had been dealing with ongoing problems due to dogs being cooped up in small apartments or abandoned in the streets. Monica Cirinna, who created the law, explained, “It’s good to do whatever we can for our animals who, in exchange for a little love, fill our existence with their attention.” She also told the Roman newspaper Il Messaggero that “the civilization of a city can also be measured by this.” How authorities in Rome can enforce this law is still unclear, but the city also passed other less-ambiguous animal welfare laws. Aside from the mandatory daily dog walk, docking an animal’s ears or tails and selling animals at fairgrounds are also illegal acts. While Rome may seem dog-biased, cat people will be happy to learn the Italian city didn’t forget felines. They passed another law to make
declawing a cat for aesthetic reasons illegal. Additionally, the city will recognize those feeding and caring for the countless stray cats roaming the stone-paved streets. And last but not least, round fishbowls are also illegal, as the circular shape forces the fish to swim in circles, which is disorienting and can affect the fish’s mood and behavior. But Rome isn’t the only city in Italy with animal-friendly laws. In Turin, for example, dog owners are required to walk their pets
at least three times a day or face a fine of $650. Meanwhile, in Reggio Emilia, it is illegal to boil live lobsters. The city officials considered this cooking method “useless torture.” Even though Italy is known for stunning landscapes and delicious cuisine, it can also take credit for holding pet owners accountable and ensuring they take proper care of their animal companions.
ARE YOU ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION? 4 FAQs About Slip-And-Fall Cases
Besides car accidents, the second leading cause of injuries in the U.S. is slip-and-fall accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1 million Americans suffer a slip, trip, or fall, and 20%-30% of people will suffer moderate to severe injuries after their accident. Fortunately, in Florida, you can file a personal injury claim and seek compensation if your slip-and-fall accident is because of another party’s negligence. However, we’ve heard quite a few concerns about slip-and-fall cases from you! Because of this, we wanted to shine a light on some of these frequently asked questions and help you as you navigate through your individual case. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY SLIP-AND-FALL INJURIES? In most cases, the property owners are held legally responsible for any injuries that occur on their public or private property. However, other parties can be held liable as well, such as a manufacturing company if you injured yourself at work while using their equipment. Other parties include cleaning/maintenance companies, construction companies, renters, landlords, and more. HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE A SLIP-AND-FALL CLAIM? Before HB 837 went into effect, you had four years to file a claim. But now, you only have two years to file. However, there are exceptions
to this rule. For instance, if your injuries weren’t immediately apparent after your accident, the two-year period may not start until you discover that you have injuries.
WHAT DO I NEED TO PROVE IN A SLIP-AND-FALL CASE? You must provide evidence proving that the defendant knew about the hazard that caused your injury and failed to keep their property or equipment safe. CAN I RECOVER COMPENSATION IF I AM PARTIALLY LIABLE FOR MY INJURIES? The law in Florida allows you to recover compensation from other negligent parties as long as you’re not 50% or more responsible for the accident and injury. If you are 50% or more liable for the slip and fall, you will not receive compensation under HB 837. There are a lot of moving parts within slip-and-fall cases. Because of this, it’s vital that you work with an experienced attorney who can provide you with guidance and resources during this time. If you or a loved one suffered injuries from a slip-and-fall accident, please contact us today. Our team is ready to fight and help you get the compensation you deserve.
2 • www.AttorneyShapiro.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator