1 dog walker available in Westfield
| Service | Typical range (USD) |
|---|---|
| 30-minute solo walk | $20–$30 |
| 60-minute solo walk | $30–$45 |
| Group walk | $16–$25 |
| Drop-in visit | $20–$32 |
| Overnight sit | $55–$95 |
These are national guideline ranges — local rates in Westfield vary with solo vs group walks, peak after-work times, and the number of dogs.
Treat the meet-and-greet like an interview. Ask to see proof of insurance and any pet first-aid certification, ask for two client references you can actually call, and confirm how keys are handled (a written key agreement is the professional standard). Watch how the walker greets your dog — a good one gets low and lets the dog approach. Agree in writing on the exact service, rate, cancellation policy, and the emergency plan (which vet, who they call).
Indiana runs on the one-bite rule and negligence, with a narrow strict-liability carve-out — and its legal definition of "owner" includes anyone who keeps or harbors a dog.
These state-level rules apply across Indiana; the local rules that govern day-to-day walking are on the Local bylaws tab.
Indiana does not impose blanket strict liability. Strict liability (IC 15-20-1-3) applies only in a narrow situation: a dog, without provocation, bites someone acting peaceably while performing a duty required by state law, federal law, or postal regulations — the classic case being a postal worker, meter reader, or code inspector. For those victims the owner is liable regardless of the dog's history.
Everyone else proceeds under the one-bite rule and negligence: the victim must prove the owner knew or should have known of the dog's dangerous propensity, or that the owner was negligent (broke a leash law, left a gate open, failed to repair a fence). Crucially, Indiana's definition of owner is broad (IC 15-20-1-2) — it includes anyone who possesses, keeps, or harbors the dog, so dog-sitters, walkers, and temporary keepers can carry the same liability as the legal owner.
Under IC 15-20-1-4, recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally failing to restrain a dog that then leaves the property and bites someone without provocation is a misdemeanor — escalating with priors or severity, up to a Level 6 felony if the attack causes death.
Leash and restraint rules are set by local ordinance (city or county) — there is no statewide leash law, and violating a local leash ordinance is strong evidence of negligence in a bite claim. Indiana follows modified comparative fault: a victim's recovery is reduced by their share of blame and barred entirely if they are 51% or more at fault. The personal-injury limit is two years.
Wolf hybrids and coydogs are regulated and restricted (IC 15-20-1-5), with secure-enclosure requirements and criminal penalties for non-compliance.
