I have a court date, because my dog bit a child?? what should I expect???

Question

The other day I got home, and there was a police woman outside my house. My dog (American Eskimo) was accused of biting a 6yr old child. The thing is that my sister was walking my dog, and my dog got off the leash by accident, there was only a small scratch on the child's leg that I doubt it was done by my dog. What should I expect in court???

Answer 1

You can expect irate parents and a very unsympathetic judge.  The parents will ask that the judge declare the dog a vicious animal and order it destroyed and unless you can present evidence to the contrary there is a good chance that the judge will do just that.

Answer 2

It depends on the laws in your county or state.  Some states have a very strict bite policy, some have a "1 bite" law- meaning if your dog bites someone again, it may mean he must be euthanized.   Look up the laws where you live.  There may be a fine, and usually a quarantine period of 10 days at your dog pound or vet--if your dog is up to date on his rabies vaccine.  If your dog is not rabies-vaccinated, it may mean a 6 month quarantine, or mandatory euthanization to check the dog for rabies.   You might want to talk to a lawyer.

Answer 3

i would prepare for the worst courts are toughening up on this sort of incident, but not to say the worst will happen, if you explain the handler wasn't in control of the dog, and these sort of dogs don't have a reputation of aggressive behavior like american pit bulls etc

hope all goes well

sorry to hear about your difficult situation

Answer 4

Unfortunately you will probably have to pay the medical costs for the child.  Your dog was off leash, even though it got off accidentally, it is still your responsibility to have control of your dog.  My advise would be to get an attorney to help you with this.  He will cost you money but so will the medical costs incurred by your dog.  Some people tend to get a little carried away with suing people so all the legal help you can get would be worth the money.

Answer 5

DOGS TAKE THINGS WE WOULDNT KNOW AS THREATS EVEN STARRING THEM IN THE EYE IS A SIGN OF A CHALLENGE.AN AMERICAN ESKIMO WERE PACK DOGS AND THEY ARE UP FOR ANY CHALLENGE!

BUT THEY ARE FRIENDLY DOGS SO THEY WILL HARDLY ATTACK UNLESS PROVOKED!

Answer 6

You might expect some sort of a fine for the violation of the leash law. You may also be fined if your dog was not licensed.  Whether the scratch was a bite or not will depend on what a doctor said about the injury and testimony from your sister and the child's mother about what actually happened.

If the injury was very minor and depending on the circumstsances (what the child did to provoke the dog if anything), I suspect the most you can expect is a fine. Be sure you keep your dog well-confined, all shots current, licenses current and make sure there are no more off-the-leash situations since if it happens again, it will be a more serious situation.

Most places will generally not order a dog euthanized for a very minor injury.

Answer 7

You need to take your sister with you even though you will have a hard time proving it if your sister didn't see the dog NOT bite the child.  Depending on the judge and everything, you may have to get muzzle for the dog and your dog may be ruled to be a vicious dog.  

Since your sister was in control of the dog then if anything she should be the one having to face the music, because the dog was in here care and custody.  Also I would suggest that your present evidence that your breed is not known for being vicious.  Like one other person suggested, you should consult an attorney and get them to go with you and prepare for the worst.  Since this is your dog's first offense I doubt that the judge will order the dog be put down.  Also children that age are not very reliable witnesses as they have very short attention spans and do tend to blow things out of proportion unless there was an adult present that actually saw what happened.

Answer 8

You are responsible for your dog .

That's what the judge wants to hear you say.

I wouldn't use any excuses if it were me.

I'd say, " i know i'm responsible for my dog and I'm sorry. I'll take every precaution to make sure it doesn't happen again.

The judge will say, 'What do you plan to do?"

You say , " Muzzle my dog when it's out or only walk it myself."

Then see what happens: warning, fine, etc..

No excuses.

Answer 9

WELL U SHOULD TAKE THAT KID OR TELL HIS OR HER MOM THAT YOUR DOG BIT  HIS OR HER CHILD AND TAKE YOUR DOG TO A VET TO GET AL HIS SHOTS I HAVE 2 DOGS I KNOW ALL ABOUT IT BELIEVE ME PLEZZZZ