Clark v. Brings

Jeanette Clark (plaintiff) was babysitting for the Brings family (defendants) when their cat suddenly bit her, causing serious injury. Clark sued, and the trial court directed a verdict for the Brings family and denied Clark a new trial. Clark appealed, arguing that courts should extend strict liability to cat owners (as Minnesota's dog-bite statute does for dogs) and, alternatively, that the evidence showed the Brings family knew the cat was dangerous.