What is a Trespasser?
West Linn Municipal Code 5.260 (6): maintains “It shall be an affirmative defense that a dog bites, attacks, or menaces a trespasser on the property of its keeper”. A trespasser is someone who enters or remains on a property or in a vehicle unlawfully. This does not include: Postal employees or mail carriers, UPS, FedEx or other delivery drivers, newspaper carriers/delivery people, meter readers/gas or electric company employees or any other like person. If your dog menaces or bites anybody who has an assumed or implied right to be on your property, you may be charged with keeping a dangerous dog. To ensure the safety of people, if you know your dog is very protective or aggressive, be sure they are confined in a manner that prevents them from reaching the mailbox, newspaper box or front porch. If that is not possible, clearly post your property with “Beware of Dog” or “Dangerous Dog” signs and make other arrangements for the picking up of parcels and mail. Let the power or gas company
