Shraga Frisch asks:
Does the owner have to pay for damages, even if he doesn't pay kofer? And if yes, what's the purpose of not paying kofer?
Shraga Frisch, Brooklyn, NY
The Kollel replies:
If by "damages" you mean the "value" of the person that has been killed, the answer is no, he does not pay.
If there was collateral damage at the time of the goring(i.e. the ox destroyed a wristwatch that the victim was wearing etc.) yes he would pay. Tosafos on Daf 22B D"H Katil Torei states that on a homicide committed by one's property we do not apply the principle of "Kam Lei B'deraba Minei"
Shimon Brodie