Liability with people and exotics

[2LaneCruzer]

I would recommend that you seek some legal advice from a lawyer that specializes in Tort liability. I know that some exotic animals come with a "Strict Liability" tag, which means that no matter what precautions you take, if they harm someone or some thing, you pay. Exotics also come with exotic diseases, so you will want to make sure all is well in that regard. There was a heard of elk near here that had to be destroyed because of disease.

I would also check with my insurance agent. If you rent out your facility, you may want to require the renter to carry liability insurance which will cover you as an "additional insured". If alcohol is ever served or brought in, you will need it.

Good luck!

 

[sseelhoff]

I would recommend that you seek some legal advice from a lawyer that specializes in Tort liability. I know that some exotic animals come with a "Strict Liability" tag, which means that no matter what precautions you take, if they harm someone or some thing, you pay. Exotics also come with exotic diseases, so you will want to make sure all is well in that regard. There was a heard of elk near here that had to be destroyed because of disease.

I would also check with my insurance agent. If you rent out your facility, you may want to require the renter to carry liability insurance which will cover you as an "additional insured". If alcohol is ever served or brought in, you will need it.

Good luck!

I concur with the above. Your contracts need to make sure that they specify that you are not the host, and the facility has no control over the service of food or beverage. All food and beverage is provided under the direction and supervision of the renter. Renter should supply at least one TABC trained bartender if alcohol is to be served, with the authoirty to terminate beverage service to individuals or groups if the need arises. (I would have one you can recommend if they do not provide one/have one.) The contract sholud contain a provision whereby the renter assumes all responsiblity for food, beverage and service issues, along with a very strong indemnification and hold harmless provision. There are a lot of things that can go sideways on running an event center, not just the dram shop issues. You need to consider food poisoning, foreign objects in food, slip and falls (from food or beverages, among other things). Dang lawyers are everywhere. all of this is meaningless if they do not have insurance. The lawyers will follow the money. If you have coverage and the renter does not, you will be the target.

 

[EddieWalker]

Very good points. Thank you, I've printed them out and added them to me "legal" folder.

Eddie

 

[mark02tj]

People and the animals are my concern. 99 percent will be fine, it's that one percent that has my worried. If I can keep the people to the reception hall, and limited areas, I think I have a chance to do this. If I can't, I really don't know if I want to have people here.

Eddie

You brought up something really important here, Eddie! You have to remember that you're going to be inviting people you don't know to "your house". While most people are good and respectful, there's going to be the inevitable butthead that doesn't give a crap because it's not his property, table, chair, bathroom, etc. Are you going to be able to tolerate that person from time to time - and do it without blowing your stack? (You don't strike me as the short temper type of guy, but some people will be able to push your buttons) You (and Karen) need to think long and hard about this before sinking a ton of time and money into building a great place that you decide not to use after a few events attended by people that are less than respectful.

For what it's worth, if you do decide to pursue this business opportunity, I know it will be a first rate place!! I haven't seen anything yet from you that hasn't been done right!!

 

[EddieWalker]

And that is the biggest concern. Is the potential to make money worth the headache of dealing with people that I don't know and really don't want to know? It's all going to come down to how much can I make and how much will it cost me emotionally.

What I really want is to have the 8 foot fence all around my land and half a dozen different exotic animal species living here. Then comes a way to make money off of the place and if I can make enough to make it worthwhile? I can create smaller pastures, which is the original plan, but that's a pretty big compromise over what my dream is. Fortunately it's so expensive and time consuming that it's not going to happen right away, and the longer I take to do something, the better it turns out and the more I learn along the way.

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[DrRod]

Echoing some of the comments in here, I am always amazed at how inexperienced people will deal with animals. I was at an exotic animal farm [they just raised them for resale] and a guy was teasing an emu with a pen to see if he would bite it. He grabbed it and sort of choked before spitting it out. I watched a guy push a gate against a horse's head to get him to move -- eventually injuring the cheek muscle of the horse. And people will throw hotdogs, popcorn or anything else at farm animals to see if they'll eat it. I'm always surprised because it would never occur to me to do these things but people who have been raised in town have no concept of animal behavior [aside from dogs, cats, and fish]. And they have no concept of the danger of messing with even tame animals. Working against a horse instead of with him can be a costly mistake. And I've been butted by a ram and, let me tell you, that is the definition of power.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Echoing some of the comments in here, I am always amazed at how inexperienced people will deal with animals. I was at an exotic animal farm [they just raised them for resale] and a guy was teasing an emu with a pen to see if he would bite it. He grabbed it and sort of choked before spitting it out. I watched a guy push a gate against a horse's head to get him to move -- eventually injuring the cheek muscle of the horse. And people will throw hotdogs, popcorn or anything else at farm animals to see if they'll eat it. I'm always surprised because it would never occur to me to do these things but people who have been raised in town have no concept of animal behavior [aside from dogs, cats, and fish]. And they have no concept of the danger of messing with even tame animals. Working against a horse instead of with him can be a costly mistake. And I've been butted by a ram and, let me tell you, that is the definition of power.

Didn't you read the instructions? My neighbor's Ram says "Dodge" on the front...

 

[aczlan]

Echoing some of the comments in here, I am always amazed at how inexperienced people will deal with animals. I was at an exotic animal farm [they just raised them for resale] and a guy was teasing an emu with a pen to see if he would bite it. He grabbed it and sort of choked before spitting it out. I watched a guy push a gate against a horse's head to get him to move -- eventually injuring the cheek muscle of the horse. And people will throw hotdogs, popcorn or anything else at farm animals to see if they'll eat it. I'm always surprised because it would never occur to me to do these things but people who have been raised in town have no concept of animal behavior [aside from dogs, cats, and fish]. And they have no concept of the danger of messing with even tame animals. Working against a horse instead of with him can be a costly mistake. And I've been butted by a ram and, let me tell you, that is the definition of power.

Might almost want a double fence with 10-12 feet between them, an outer 6' fence to keep people out and an inner 8' fence to keep the critters in...

Aaron Z

 

[sld]

It really boils down to how bad you "want" the money. Is it worth potential heartache?

Sounds like you are doing fine to me. Are you sure you want to open yourself up to any of this and risk what you've got?

It's a risk/reward thing I guess. It seems anymore if anything happens on your property, regardless of legalities in place, you are the first target.

 

[EarPlug]

And I've been butted by a ram and, let me tell you, that is the definition of power.

Goat knocks out Cow