Smithy fed his beloved pet wolf, Fang, but forgot to lock his cage. Fang got out and cleared out the rabbit hutches next door at Carla's. Smithy is liable to Carla under _____.

A wolf is a wild animal, and owners are generally strictly liable for harm caused by wild animals they keep, even if they were not negligent. Fang escaped and killed Carla’s rabbits, so Smithy is liable under strict liability. Negligence would require proving Smithy failed to use reasonable care, but strict liability applies because of the kind of animal.

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