Who Is Liable If You’re Injured by a Horse, Goat, Cow, or Buffalo?
Arizona’s open landscapes and agricultural roots make encounters with livestock surprisingly common, especially in areas like Lake Havasu, Mohave County, and the rural outskirts of Scottsdale and Maricopa County. Whether you’re visiting a petting zoo or simply driving on a country road, a sudden encounter with a roaming horse, cow, goat, or even a buffalo can lead to serious injury—and complex legal questions.
At Rideout Law Group, we often speak with injured individuals who were told they had “no case” because of Arizona’s free-range laws. That’s not always true.
If you or a loved one was hurt by livestock, it’s essential to understand your rights under Arizona law.
What Is Arizona Free Range Laws?
Arizona is classified as a “free range” state. In designated open-range areas, livestock owners are not always required to fence in their animals. Instead, property owners and motorists are often expected to fence animals out.
However, this doesn’t mean livestock owners are automatically free from responsibility.
Key Points:
- Free range applies only to designated open-range areas, not to incorporated cities or areas with specific fencing ordinances.
- Most free-range cases involve vehicle-animal collisions, not incidents on private or commercial properties.
- Commercial animal operators, such as farms, zoos, and petting zoos, may still be liable under general negligence principles.
When Liability Still Exists: Livestock Injuries and Negligence
Even in a free-range state like Arizona, livestock owners can be held accountable when their negligence causes harm.
Situations Where Liability May Apply:
🐄 Farm & Ranch Injuries
Farmers and ranchers may be liable if:
- Animals were not properly supervised or controlled
- Known aggressive animals were left loose
- Local fencing laws were violated
- Injuries occurred on the farm’s property
🐐 Zoos, Petting Zoos & Animal Parks
Commercial animal attractions have a duty to protect visitors. They may be responsible for injuries caused by:
- Inadequate fencing or enclosures
- Lack of supervision
- Failure to warn visitors of risks
- Poorly maintained premises
🐂 Known Dangerous Animals
If an owner knew (or should have known) an animal was aggressive or dangerous, they may be liable—regardless of free-range protections.
Types of Livestock Injuries in Arizona
Injuries caused by livestock can be severe and life changing. We’ve seen cases involving:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Head trauma and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Crush injuries and internal bleeding
- Facial injuries and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
Buffalo, cattle, and horses can weigh over 1,000 pounds. A single impact can cause catastrophic harm.
Free Range Does Not Mean “No Rights”
Too often, injured individuals are told they have “no case” because of free range laws. This is misleading.
Liability often depends on:
- Where the incident occurred (open range vs. city)
- Whether the animal was used commercially
- Local ordinances or fencing requirements
- Whether the animal had a history of aggression
- Owner negligence
Each case must be evaluated based on specific facts and legal principles.
What to Do After a Livestock Injury
If you’re injured by livestock in Arizona:
- Get immediate medical help
- Take photos of the scene, fencing, signage, and animal (if possible)
- Collect witness names and statements
- Report the incident to local law enforcement
- Do not speak with insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney
Evidence can disappear quickly—especially on farms or ranches that may alter fences or move animals.
Talk to an Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer
At Rideout Law Group, we help clients across Arizona—including Lake Havasu City, Scottsdale, and greater Phoenix—understand their rights after livestock-related injuries. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience handling complex injury and liability claims.
Whether your injury happened at a petting zoo, on a rural highway, or a commercial ranch, we’ll evaluate whether free range protections apply and fight to hold negligent parties accountable.
📍 Offices in Lake Havasu City & Scottsdale
- Scottsdale Office: 11111 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 225, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 | (480) 584-3328
- Lake Havasu Office: 2800 Sweetwater Ave, Suite A104, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406 | (928) 854-8181
This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal guidance specific to your situation, please contact a licensed attorney at Rideout Law Group.