In my most recent ask-the-lawyer column for the Toledo Blade, I examined the the admittedly rare issue of livestock causing car accidents.

Owners of cows or horses can be held liable if the animal wanders in the road and causes a crash, but only if the owner knew or should have known it had escaped its enclosure.

As an attorney who handles dog bite cases, I can tell you this is different from the strict liability rules that apply to dog owners. I can’t really say why owners of dogs are treated differently than owners of livestock, but I’m guessing it’s because farmers have far more clout in the Ohio General Assembly.