Facts
A circus elephant, frightened by a small dog, stampeded and knocked down the stall of a married couple of performers, injuring them.
Issue
Is the keeper of a dangerous wild animal liable even if that animal was tame?
Held
The circus was liable.
Principle
An animal of a dangerous species () is treated as dangerous whatever the individual animal is like. The keeper is strictly liable.
Why it matters
Dangerous species are judged by their kind, not their nature as individuals.
Cited in these chapters
Topics
Cite this page
Behrens v Bertram Mills Circus Ltd [1957] 2 QB 1 (Lanbuk) <https://www.lanbuk.com/llb/torts/cases/behrens-v-bertram-mills-circus> accessed 31 October 2026
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This summary is a Lanbuk study aid based on the generally known facts and reports of the case. It is not legal advice.