{ "id": 5730794, "name": "CONNIE J. SMITH, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. GREGORY LANE et al., Defendants-Appellees", "name_abbreviation": "Smith v. Lane", "decision_date": "2005-07-13", "docket_number": "No. 5-03-0404", "first_page": "1126", "last_page": "1136", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "358 Ill. App. 3d 1126" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "605 N.E.2d 544", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "153 Ill. 2d 6", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 4738967 ], "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/153/0006-01" ] }, { "cite": "759 N.E.2d 601", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "604" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "326 Ill. App. 3d 33", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 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Stat.", "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "(l)(b)(6)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "239 Wis. 2d 392", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Wis. 2d", "case_ids": [ 11091430 ], "weight": 6, "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "396" }, { "page": "431" }, { "page": "400-01" }, { "page": "433" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/wis-2d/239/0392-01" ] }, { "cite": "721 N.E.2d 178", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "179" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "308 Ill. App. 3d 854", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 261395 ], "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "855" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/308/0854-01" ] }, { "cite": "673 N.E.2d 1079", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1082" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "285 Ill. App. 3d 187", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 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App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1336137 ], "weight": 9, "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "458" }, { "page": "457" }, { "page": "455" }, { "page": "457" }, { "page": "459" }, { "page": "459" }, { "page": "459" }, { "page": "459" }, { "page": "455" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/306/0453-01" ] }, { "cite": "790 N.E.2d 912", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 6, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "918" }, { "page": "915" }, { "page": "915" }, { "page": "916-18" }, { "page": "913" }, { "page": "918" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "339 Ill. App. 3d 157", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2468203 ], "weight": 6, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "165" }, { "page": "161" }, { "page": "161" }, { "page": "162-65" }, { "page": "159" }, { "page": "165" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/339/0157-01" ] }, { "cite": "12 Seton Hall J. Sport L. 65", "category": "journals:journal", "reporter": "Seton Hall J. Sport L.", "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "68" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "712 N.E.2d 913", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "915" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "305 Ill. App. 3d 635", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 1208082 ], "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "639" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/305/0635-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1020, "char_count": 24081, "ocr_confidence": 0.758, "pagerank": { "raw": 8.476733864736526e-08, "percentile": 0.48559838816857664 }, "sha256": "422bf098277ff0d95734d53a8e54bf421198e57be13254b8779cf542627d4f6d", "simhash": "1:3bb43bd2af8626ce", "word_count": 4016 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:37:08.387494+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "CONNIE J. SMITH, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. GREGORY LANE et al., Defendants-Appellees." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE CHAPMAN\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nThis appeal involves a passenger in a horse-drawn carriage, who was injured when the carriage went off the road and overturned. The passenger, Connie Smith, brought suit in Lawrence County, Illinois, against the driver of the carriage, Todd Lane, and the owner of the horse and carriage, Gregory Lane. She alleged both negligence and strict liability under the Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/1 et seq. (West 1996)). The defendants filed a motion pursuant to section 2 \u2014 619 of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 619 (West 1996)) to dismiss the complaint, asserting that the carriage ride was an \u201cequine activity\u201d within the coverage of the Equine Activity Liability Act (745 ILCS 47/1 et seq. (West 1996)), thereby affording them immunity from suit since the plaintiff did not allege willful and wanton misconduct as required by that statute (745 ILCS 47/20(b)(4) (West 1996)). The defendants further asserted that the Animal Control Act was inapplicable to the facts of the case. The court determined that the plaintiff had been engaging in an equine activity as defined by the Equine Activity Liability Act, thereby rendering the defendants immune from suit. Because she had not pled willful and wanton misconduct, the court dismissed the two negligence counts pursuant to section 2 \u2014 615 of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 615 (West 1996)) for the failure to state a claim under the Equine Activity Liability Act. The court further found that the applicability of the Animal Control Act was preempted by the protection of the Equine Activity Liability Act. Accordingly, the court dismissed all the counts. We reverse and remand.\nOn appeal, the plaintiff argues that the trial court erred in interpreting the language of the Equine Activity Liability Act to bar a passenger in a horse-drawn carriage from bringing a suit for ordinary negligence against the driver and the owner of the horse and carriage. The plaintiff also contends that the court erred in its determination that the Equine Activity Liability Act preempted the Animal Control Act.\nWe review de novo the court\u2019s dismissal under either section 2 \u2014 615 or section 2 \u2014 619 of the Code of Civil Procedure. R-Five, Inc. v. Shadeco, Inc., 305 Ill. App. 3d 635, 639, 712 N.E.2d 913, 915 (1999).\nEquine activity liability acts (EALAs) have been enacted in more than 40 states since the mid-1980s. L. Speziale, Comment, Walking Through the New Jersey Equine Activity Liability Statute: A Look at Judicial Statutory Interpretation in Jurisdictions With Similar Limited Liability Laws, 12 Seton Hall J. Sport L. 65, 68 (2002). Their intended purpose is to promote equine activities and the horse industry in general by limiting liability for some horse-related activities. 12 Seton Hall J. Sport L. at 68. The stated purpose of the Illinois Equine Activity Liability Act (the Equine Act), enacted in 1995, is set forth as follows:\n\u201cThe General Assembly recognizes that persons who participate in equine activities may incur injuries as a result of the risks involved in those activities. The General Assembly also finds that the State and its citizens derive numerous economic and personal benefits from equine activities. Therefore, it is the intent of the General Assembly to encourage equine activities by delineating the responsibilities of those involved in equine activities.\u201d 745 ILCS 47/5 (West 1996).\nIn \u201cdelineating the responsibilities of those involved in equine activities,\u201d the Illinois legislature chose not to encompass every type of equine-related incident. Kush v. Wentworth, 339 Ill. App. 3d 157, 165, 790 N.E.2d 912, 918 (2003); Carl v. Resnick, 306 Ill. App. 3d 453, 458, 714 N.E.2d 1, 4 (1999). Consequently, only the conduct and activities defined in the various provisions are afforded protection under the statute.\nThe primary objective of statutory construction is to ascertain and give effect to the legislature\u2019s intent. Goff v. Teachers\u2019 Retirement System, 305 Ill. App. 3d 190, 192, 713 N.E.2d 578, 580 (1999). The statutory language is the best indicator of the legislature\u2019s intent and must be given its plain and ordinary meaning. Goff, 305 Ill. App. 3d at 192, 713 N.E.2d at 581. In construing a statute, we must consider the statute as a whole. Williams v. Staples, 208 Ill. 2d 480, 487, 804 N.E.2d 489, 493 (2004). Our interpretation is constrained, however, when the statute is in derogation of the common law. \u201c[I]n Illinois, as in the majority of jurisdictions, statutes in derogation of common law are to be strictly construed and nothing is to be read into such statutes by intendment or implication.\u201d Summers v. Summers, 40 Ill. 2d 338, 342, 239 N.E.2d 795, 798 (1968). Our Equine Act is in derogation of the common law, because damages for equine-related injuries had previously been recoverable under a negligence theory. Kush, 339 Ill. App. 3d at 161, 790 N.E.2d at 915, citing Meyer v. Naperville Manner, Inc., 285 Ill. App. 3d 187, 191-92, 673 N.E.2d 1079, 1082 (1996). To the extent that our statute precludes recovery under negligence law, it must be strictly construed in favor of the plaintiff. Kush, 339 Ill. App. 3d at 161, 790 N.E.2d at 915.\nThus, we approach the interpretation of this statute keeping in mind both the legislature\u2019s intent and the fact that the statute is in derogation of the common law. We begin our analysis with the language of the statute itself, in an attempt to determine its applicability to the facts before us. Section 15 of the Equine Act provides in part:\n\u201cEach participant who engages in an equine activity expressly assumes the risk of and legal responsibility for injury, loss, or damage to the participant or the participant\u2019s property that results from participating in an equine activity, except in specific situations as set forth in Section 20, when the equine activity sponsor or equine professional may be held responsible.\u201d 745 ILCS 47/15 (West 1996).\nThe term \u201cparticipant\u201d is defined in section 10(g) as \u201cany person, whether amateur or professional, who engages in an equine activity, whether or not a fee is paid to participate in the equine activity.\u201d 745 ILCS 47/10(g) (West 1996). The phrase \u201cengages in an equine activity\u201d is defined in section 10(a): \u201c \u2018Engages in an equine activity\u2019 means riding, training, assisting in medical treatment of, driving, or being a passenger upon an equine, whether mounted or unmounted, or assisting a participant. The term \u2018engages in an equine activity\u2019 does not include being a spectator at an equine activity, except in cases where the spectator places himself in an unauthorized area and in immediate proximity to the equine activity.\u201d 745 ILCS 47/10(a) (West 1996).\nThe phrase \u201cequine activity\u201d is defined in section 10(c) as follows:\n\u201c(1) Equine shows, fairs, competitions, performances, or parades that involve any or all breeds of equines and any of the equine disciplines, including, but not limited to, dressage, hunter and jumper horse shows, grand prix jumping, 3[-]day events, combined training, rodeos, driving, pulling, cutting, polo, steeplechasing, English and western performance riding, endurance trail riding and western games, and hunting.\n(2) Equine training activities, teaching activities, or both.\n(3) Boarding equines.\n(4) Riding, inspecting, or evaluating an equine belonging to another, whether or not the owner has received some monetary consideration or other thing of value for the use of the equine or is permitting a prospective purchaser of the equine to ride, inspect, or evaluate the equine.\n(5) Rides, trips, hunts, or other equine activities of any type however informal or impromptu that are sponsored by an equine activity sponsor.\n(6) Placing or replacing horseshoes on an equine.\u201d 745 ILCS 47/ 10(c) (West 1996).\nOur Equine Act has come under criticism for less-than-artful drafting. The lack of clarity has led to a good deal of confusion in interpretation. Kush, 339 Ill. App. 3d at 162-65, 790 N.E.2d at 916-18. Our task is complicated further by the fact that the term \u201cequine activity\u201d is used in a part of its own definition, creating a circular loop of reasoning. 745 ILCS 47/10(c)(5) (West 1996). Additionally, it is very difficult to read and apply the sections in an internally consistent manner. See Carl, 306 Ill. App. 3d at 457, 714 N.E.2d at 3-4.\nThere are, moreover, no Illinois cases to guide our determination regarding whether a passenger in a horse-drawn carriage falls within the scope of the statutory language. Even though EALAs have been extant for more than 20 years, there are few cases nationwide interpreting these statutes. Subsequent to the enactment of our Equine Act in 1995, there have been only three decisions interpreting it. All three decisions involve actual horseback riding. Kush, 339 Ill. App. 3d at 159, 790 N.E.2d at 913; Lessman v. Rhodes, 308 Ill. App. 3d 854, 855, 721 N.E.2d 178, 179 (1999); Carl, 306 Ill. App. 3d at 455, 714 N.E.2d at 2. Our research discovered only two state court cases in the nation where a horse-drawn vehicle was in issue: one was brought under a Tennessee EALA almost identical to ours (Friedli v. Kerr, No. M1999 \u2014 02810\u2014COA\u2014R9\u2014CV (Tenn. App. 2001)); the other was brought under a Wisconsin EALA broader in scope (Kangas v. Perry, 239 Wis. 2d 392, 620 N.W2d 429 (Wis. App. 2000)).\nWe first note that we agree with a part of the trial court\u2019s analysis of the Equine Act \u2014 \u201cWhile section 10(a) defines the requisite relationship to the offending horse which the plaintiff must have for EALA protection to apply, [s]ection 10(c) defines the context in which the horse must be functioning for the EALA to apply.\u201d Other courts have also held that in order for the statute to be internally consistent, these sections must be read in conjunction with one another. Said another way, unless a \u201cparticipant\u201d is \u201cengaged in an equine activity\u201d as defined in section 10(a), the defendant is not afforded protection even if the \u201cequine activity\u201d is one defined in section 10(c), or vice versa. Carl, 306 Ill. App. 3d at 457, 714 N.E.2d at 3-4; see also Friedli, slip op. at 3-4 (interpreting Tennessee\u2019s EALA in the same manner).\nWhile we agree with the trial court\u2019s logic, we disagree with the result it reached in its interpretation of the statutory language. In determining whether the plaintiff was a \u201cparticipant\u201d \u201cengaged in an equine activity,\u201d the court construed the section 10(a) language \u201cbeing a passenger upon an equine, whether mounted or unmounted,\u201d to include being a passenger in a horse-drawn carriage. We find this construction strained. While we believe that the phrase \u201cpassenger upon an equine, whether mounted or unmounted,\u201d could be descriptive of a horseback rider in the process of mounting or unmounting a horse, the plain meaning of \u201cupon an equine,\u201d which we believe \u201cmounted or unmounted\u201d modifies, would not include a passive passenger in a horse-drawn vehicle.\nWe agree with the interpretation the Tennessee Court of Appeals gave the same language involving the same factual scenario: \u201cIn this context, the only sensible construction of the words \u2018mounted or unmounted\u2019 [in the statute] is that they modify the preceding phrase \u2018being a passenger upon an equine.\u2019 They cannot reasonably be construed to create a separate category of activities that constitute engaging in an equestrian activity.\u201d Friedli, slip op. at 5 n.8. The court further explained its rationale:\n\u201cAs we understand the definition of \u2018participant,\u2019 being a participant requires actually riding on the equine or, at least, having some control over the equine. Apart from participants who are \u2018upon\u2019 an equine, all the activities included in the statutory definition of \u2018engages in an equine activity\u2019 appear to require some ability to control the animal. From a policy perspective, coupling proximity and ability to control in the definition of \u2018engages in an equine activity\u2019 is consistent with the principle that it would be unfair to truncate negligence claims by persons with no ability to protect themselves from injury.\u201d Friedli, slip op. at 5.\nIn Friedli, brought under a statute almost identical to ours, the Tennessee Court of Appeals held that a passenger in a horse-drawn carriage who was injured when the carriage overturned was not \u201cengaging in an equine activity\u201d and consequently was not an equine activity \u201cparticipant\u201d as defined by the statute. It further held that the defendant\u2019s carriage business was not an \u201cequine activity\u201d and that the defendant was not an \u201cequine activity sponsor\u201d under the statute. Friedli, slip op. at 5.\nIn our case, as in Friedli, it was the driver who had the ability to control the equine; the passenger clearly did not. This interpretation also gives meaning to section 15, titled \u201cParticipant\u2019s responsibility,\u201d which provides as follows:\n\u201cEach participant shall have sole individual responsibility for knowing the range of his or her own ability to manage, care for, and control a particular horse or perform a particular equine activity, and it shall be the duty of each participant to act within the limits of the participant\u2019s own ability, to maintain reasonable control of the particular horse or horses at all times while participating in an equine activity, to heed all posted warnings, to perform equine activities only in an area or in facilities designated by the horseman, and to refrain from acting in a manner that may cause or contribute to the injury of anyone.\u201d 745 ILCS 47/15 (West 1996).\nThe above section only has meaning if the participant has some ability to control the equine activity. Again, while we believe the section is relevant with respect to the driver of a horse-drawn vehicle, its meaning bears no rational relevance to a passive passenger.\nEquine \u201cdriving\u201d is a term of art generally used to describe the activity of an individual controlling the movement of an equine harnessed to a nonmotorized vehicle, such as a carriage. 4 The New Encyclopedia Britannica 228 (15th ed. 2003). The \u201cdriver\u201d refers to the person controlling the movement of the horse, by means of \u201cdriving reins\u201d attached to the horse\u2019s bit. See Webster\u2019s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary 558 (2d ed. 1983) (Webster\u2019s). Webster\u2019s defines the word \u201cdrive\u201d as \u201cto control the movement or direct the course of.\u201d Webster\u2019s at 557. Webster\u2019s defines \u201cdriver\u201d as \u201cone who drives an automobile, horse, locomotive, etc.\u201d Webster\u2019s at 557. Black\u2019s Law Dictionary defines \u201cdriving\u201d as \u201cTo urge forward under guidance, compel to go in a particular direction, urge onward, and direct the course of.\u201d Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 495 (6th ed. 1990). As this word is commonly used and understood, \u201cdriving\u201d connotes the actions of the person controlling the movement of the equine and not the actions of a passive passenger.\nWith respect to the driver of a horse-drawn vehicle, it is clear that the legislature intended that he or she could be considered a \u201cparticipant\u201d \u2014 \u201cany person *** who engages in an equine activity\u201d (745 ILCS 47/10(g) (West 1996)) \u2014 because the term \u201cdriving\u201d is included in the section 10(a) definition of \u201cengages in an equine activity.\u201d (We also note that \u201cdriving\u201d is included as well in the section 10(c) definition of \u201cequine activity,\u201d but only in the context of \u201cequine shows, fairs, competitions, performances, or parades,\u201d none of which is applicable to the facts in issue here.)\nFurthermore, if the legislature had intended that the statute apply to passengers in horse-drawn vehicles, it would have been a simple matter to so specify. The Wisconsin EALA, for example, clearly includes passengers in horse-drawn vehicles. Wisconsin\u2019s statute provides: \u201c \u2018Equine activity\u2019 means any of the following: *** Riding, trainingE,] or driving a vehicle pulled by an equine or being a passenger on a vehicle pulled by an equine.\u201d (Emphasis added.) Wis. Stat. \u00a7 895.481(l)(b)(6) (2004).\nThe defendants cite Kangas, a case brought under the Wisconsin statute, in support of their position. One of the plaintiffs in Kangas was a passenger who was injured when she fell off a horse-drawn sled. Kangas, 239 Wis. 2d at 396, 620 N.W.2d at 431. However, unlike our case, the issue before the court was not whether the plaintiff was engaged in a protected equine activity (as clearly she was under the plain language of the statute) but rather whether the defendants were within the class of individuals entitled to immunity, which the court answered affirmatively. Kangas, 239 Wis. 2d at 400-01, 620 N.W.2d at 433. Because there is no language in our statute that is remotely similar to that found in the Wisconsin statute, we find the Wisconsin case of little value in deciding our case. Moreover, unless we find that the plaintiff was \u201cengaging in an equine activity,\u201d it is not necessary for us to determine whether the defendants are in the class of individuals afforded protection by the statute.\nIn sum, we do not find that the plaintiff was \u201cengaged in an equine activity,\u201d as defined hy our Equine Act, at the time of her injury, and therefore, her complaint was not barred by the Equine Act. Accordingly, we reverse the court\u2019s dismissal of counts I and III.\nHaving found that the plaintiff was not \u201cengaged in an equine activity,\u201d as defined in section 10(a), we do not find it necessary to address her additional argument that the activity was not an \u201cequine activity\u201d as defined in section 10(c). Nor is it necessary for us to determine whether either defendant was an \u201cequine activity sponsor\u201d or \u201cequine professional\u201d under the Equine Act or whether, as the plaintiff contends, \u201cequine activity sponsors\u201d and \u201cequine professionals\u201d are the only persons entitled to protection under the Equine Act. (The Second District Appellate Court has recently held that the Equine Act does not preclude negligence liability for persons other than equine activity sponsors and equine professionals. Kush, 339 Ill. App. 3d at 165, 790 N.E.2d at 918.)\nWe now turn to the plaintiff\u2019s related argument that the trial court improperly dismissed the counts brought under the Animal Control Act. We agree with the plaintiff.\nThe court dismissed the plaintiffs two counts brought under the Animal Control Act as a result of its ruling that the Equine Act applied to the facts of the case. Relying on Carl v. Resnick, the court concluded that the Animal Control Act was preempted by the Equine Act. See Carl, 306 Ill. App. 3d at 459, 714 N.E.2d at 5. The trial court stated in its ruling that because the Animal Control Act was preempted, it was unnecessary to consider the sufficiency of the complaint to state a cause of action under the Animal Control Act. See Carl, 306 Ill. App. 3d at 459, 714 N.E.2d at 5. We agree that had the Equine Act applied to the facts of the case, preemption would have barred an action for the same alleged injuries under the Animal Control Act. See Carl, 306 Ill. App. 3d at 459, 714 N.E.2d at 5. However, because we have reversed the trial court\u2019s ruling on the applicability of the Equine Act, we now consider whether the Animal Control Act remains a viable cause of action for the plaintiff. See Carl, 306 Ill. App. 3d at 459, 714 N.E.2d at 5.\nUnder count II of her complaint, against Todd Lane, the plaintiff pled, in relevant part, as follows:\n\u201c3. On or about September 13, 1997, the plaintiff, Connie Smith, was a passenger on a horse and carriage ride being operated by the defendant, Todd Lane, Sumner, Lawrence County, Illinois, and at all times was peaceably conducting herself and was lawfully in the carriage at issue.\n4. On or about September 13, 1997, in Sumner, Lawrence County, Illinois, the horse and carriage being operated by Todd Lane went off of the road[ ]way and flipped.\n5. As a direct and proximate result of the above[-]mentioned occurrence, the plaintiff, Connie Smith, suffered injuries ***.\n6. There existed at the time of the occurrence a statute known as The Animal Control Act [(510 ILCS 5/16 (West 1996))], which states in part that \u2018if a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself in any place where he may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in damages to such person for the full amount of the injury sustained.\u2019\n7. Pursuant to the above[-]mentioned Act, Todd Lane would be considered an owner for purposes of the Act ***.\n8. At all times the horse in this matter was unprovoked.\u201d\nCount IV was identical to count II, except that it was lodged against Gregory Lane as an owner but not the operator of the carriage.\nIn order to recover under the Animal Control Act, the plaintiff must prove four elements: \u201c(1) an injury caused by an animal owned by the defendant; (2) lack of provocation; (3) the peaceable conduct of the injured person; and (4) the presence of the injured person in a place where he has a legal right to be.\u201d Meyer v. Naperville Manner, Inc., 262 Ill. App. 3d 141, 147, 634 N.E.2d 411, 415 (1994). When reviewing a dismissal of a complaint for the failure to state a cause of action, we accept all well-pleaded facts and inferences as true. We interpret the allegations in the complaint in a light most favorable to the plaintiff. Bea v. Bethany Home, Inc., 333 Ill. App. 3d 410, 413, 775 N.E.2d 621, 623 (2002).\nAs evidenced in the above excerpts of the plaintiffs complaint, she has clearly pled facts alleging all the necessary elements to support a recovery under the Animal Control Act. Notwithstanding, while a plaintiff need not prove negligence under the Animal Control Act, the courts have not construed the Animal Control Act to impose strict liability. Meyer, 262 Ill. App. 3d at 147, 634 N.E.2d at 415. Guided by policy considerations of public protection, the courts examine the circumstances of a case to determine whether there is a reasonable and factual basis to impose liability. Meyer, 262 Ill. App. 3d at 148, 634 N.E.2d at 415.\nThe defendants contend that the facts in this case are outside the scope of the Animal Control Act. We believe, however, that the defendants\u2019 contentions and arguments are more appropriate to a summary judgment (735 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 1005 (West 1996)) than a dismissal for the failure to state a cause of action (735 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 615 (West 1996)). In relevant point, most of the cases relied on by the defendants involve summary judgments after some amount of development of the facts \u2014 depositions, interrogatories, admissions, affidavits \u2014 providing a basis for defeating the claims as a matter of law. Harris v. Walker, 119 Ill. 2d 542, 545, 519 N.E.2d 917, 918 (1988); Garcia v. Nelson, 326 Ill. App. 3d 33, 35-36, 759 N.E.2d 601, 604 (2001); Carl, 306 Ill. App. 3d at 455, 714 N.E.2d at 2; Meyer, 262 Ill. App. 3d at 143-44, 634 N.E.2d at 412-13. The only facts before us are those contained in the allegations of the complaint, and we draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the plaintiff. Without more information, we are unable to determine whether there are factual circumstances that might exclude the plaintiff from the class of persons to be protected by the Animal Control Act.\nWe find that at the pleading stage the plaintiff has alleged facts sufficient to state a cause of action under the Animal Control Act. We therefore reverse the trial court\u2019s dismissal of counts II and IV of the complaint.\nThe judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and the cause is remanded.\nReversed; cause remanded.\nHOPKINS and KUEHN, JJ., concur.\nUustice Kuehn fully participated in this decision prior to the expiration of his term on the court. See Cirro Wrecking Co. v. Roppolo, 153 Ill. 2d 6, 605 N.E.2d 544 (1992).", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE CHAPMAN" } ], "attorneys": [ "Edward J. Kionka, of Southern Illinois University Law School, of Carbon-dale, and Jon E. Rosenstengel, of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, of Belleville, for appellant.", "Larry N. Sloss, Jr., and Douglas A. Enloe, both of Gosnell, Borden, Enloe & Sloss, Ltd., of Lawrenceville, for appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "CONNIE J. SMITH, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. GREGORY LANE et al., Defendants-Appellees.\nFifth District\nNo. 5\u201403\u20140404\nOpinion filed July 13, 2005.\nEdward J. Kionka, of Southern Illinois University Law School, of Carbon-dale, and Jon E. Rosenstengel, of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, of Belleville, for appellant.\nLarry N. Sloss, Jr., and Douglas A. Enloe, both of Gosnell, Borden, Enloe & Sloss, Ltd., of Lawrenceville, for appellees." }, "file_name": "1126-01", "first_page_order": 1144, "last_page_order": 1154 }