Question:

What to do about dog attack?

by  |  earlier

0 LIKES UnLike

Today, I was home with my daughter who has the flu (she's 16 months). We went for a long walk this morning, along with our 11 1/2 year old mixed breed dog (mostly border collie). We walked by a house where a German shepherd lives. Last year, my dog was attacked by this dog. The dog came running out onto the road (off of their property) and attacked my dog twice, leading to severe bruising and a couple of superficial wounds. Luckily, one of my closest friends is a veterinarian, and she shaved the area and cleaned it up. He limped for a few days, but was otherwise fine, the wounds healed nicely. The owner apologized. I reported him to the By-law enforcement officer as a warning, but did not press charges. About a week later, I was running by again. The dog sgtarted to run out, but the owner's grandchildren (about 12 years old) stopped him.

This morning on our walk, my dog was not on a leash. When we approached the house, I looked carefully and was cautious, but did not see the dog. My dog was walking on the opposite side of the road. Suddenly, just when I thought we were safe, the stupid German Shepherd came out of nowhere and attacked my dog again. I told the owner I would report him, blah blah blah. The owner told me he would make sure I was fined for having my dog off a leash. My dog took off and ran all the way home. When I got home, I examined him and he had a huge gaping hole with skin missing where you could actually see the bone. He was bleeding from the back-end and limping badly. I phoned the vet and made an appointment. After careful examination, she thought he might have a broken leg and required several stitches, which would be done under anesthesia. I left him for the afternoon. The vet phoned me after she did the stitches and said he had several "pockets" where the skin was literally torn from the bone in chunks, the dog narrowly missed a major artery (he would have bled to death had he bit it), and luckily he was neutered because that was what the dog was looking to do. She also indicated that he had serious bite wounds on either side of his p***s and to watch to make sure he can pee.

$650 later, he is home with tons of stitches, many bandages, a cone on his head and a shunt to drain the fluid from his wounds. He is on anti-inflammatories, pain medication and anti-biotics. We have to take him back in a couple of days to get rechecked.

My question is - if this was your dog, would you sue the owner? If you had the choice, would you have the dog put down?

I realize that my dog should have been on a leash (we live in the country so it's not really an issue), but the attack would have happened even if he had been on a leash because the dog came right off of his property. Thank God my daughter was in the baby jogger where she was safe. What would you do?

 Tags:

   Report

13 ANSWERS


  1.     Go after the GSD's owner to the full extent of the law, carry pepper spray and an air horn and walk a different route.  


  2. both pet owners are responsible  you knew the dog has issues but still choose to walk your dog off leash in that direction and they choose to let the dog free on their turf...why not walk the other direction

  3. It sounds like you're LEADING your dog to the shepherd.

    Don't take that trail anymore. Go a different way.

    It's kind of stupid to do this so many times and actually keep doing it.

  4. I think you should pursue this. Your dog has been attacked twice while on public property, and the owners of the shepherd were quite aware that their dog will attack. Okay, your dog should have been on a leash but if he had been, he would still have been attacked and maybe got it even worse if he hadn't been able to run away so fast. Let them register a complaint about your dog being off-leash. Theirs was too. And don't walk past that house any more if possible. I realize that in the country, there isn't always much choice of routes if you want to walk from your house to anywhere, but if I were you I'd drive to somewhere safer to walk until you know that this dog is either behind a secure fence or otherwise contained. I wouldn't have the dog put down. Not yet. That might be out of your hands anyway since this is the second attack that you know of. I'd bet there have been more that you don't know about but animal control does.

  5. The road is state property and therefore, you have a right to walk on it if you want.  I take it your dog was not on a leash.  This may pose some problems, but you should still be able to get some of your money back.  Some judges will split cases like this 50/50.  However, some leash laws vary.  Since your dog was off leash, but still under your control, it should play more in your favor.  Also the dog has a history of this, so that should help too.  Yes, you should at least report the attack to the police, press charges, get a copy of the written report, and then ask the owner of the other dog to repay you for the bills.  Save everything.  Good luck.  

  6. yep definitely sue the heck out of the owner. living in country or not makes noe difference. having 2 pit bulls i firmly believe that it is the owner who is responsible not the dog. no i wouldn't put the dog down but i would ask for ownership to be given up and training for the dog. and the owner should not be allowed to own any other dogs ever. my 2 pits are huge (42 lbs.) and (96lbs) babies. i raised to be good dogs and they are always on leash or lead.  

  7. When it comes to putting an animal down, it is a horrible decision to make, no matter who you are or who the dog is.  I know where I live, the first time a dog attacks someone or another animal it is mandatory that it is quarantined.  I believe that a second attack is automatic euthanasia, so as someone else mentioned, it may be out of your hands, anyhow.  What I want to say, though, is that when my dog was attacked by a rottweiler years ago, the vet told me that many dogs continue to attack once they get the taste of blood.  So, this dog could very well continue to attack other dogs, and god forbid, children.  For that reason alone, I think it's really important that you do press charges.  Other pet owners and parents would be indebted to you for this.  Good Luck to you!  Seeing your pet in pain and in that kind of shape is such a difficult thing to go through, never mind what seeing an attack like that in person does to you!  My heart goes out to you and your family.

  8. Regardless whether your dog was on leash or not, their dog was just as at large as yours, and nearly killed yours.  You have the vet bills and vet statement to prove that.

    Yes I'd file charges against them, and yes I'd try to push to get the dog put down.  After them being warned several times they're still unable to control their dangerous animal.  So yes for the good of other dogs, and potentially small children and people too, the dog should be euthanized.

    If I were you I'd be about livid.

  9. something needs to happen theres no sense of why that dog should be able to leave their yard that easily... and for you, always have your dog  on a leash no matter what.

    i would definitely file charges and make them pay for all vet bills.

  10. I am so sorry that you had to go through that, how awful!

    I also had a dog attacked by another and same thing large wounds, it's just terrible.

    I would try and find out if there is anyone else that lives around them that has had their dog attacked.  I would not try to have the dog put down because it is the owner that is to blame, not the dog.

    Sure, having your dog on the leash would have been better and if your dog had gone onto their property, it might have made a difference but since their dog came off their property (he was off leash as well) it should not be a real concern.  

    I would also get a note from vet explaining the wounds, get lot's of pictures of wounds, and if possible some letters from neighbors saying that you are a responsible dog owner, your dog has a good temperament...

    Then I would contact a lawyer, they should at least pay the vet bill.

    Good luck my dear!

  11. Report the dog, it has savagely attacked your dog more than once so report it. as a previous poster has stated you have numerous vet bills to prove ur side and even if ur dog was on a leash it would still have been attacked in such a viscous way!

    I don't know what the rules are in America, but over here i am sure if a dog bites and draws blood then it has to be put down. i know as a dog owner its hard to think of a dog being put down, but it could have easily killed your dog and maybe someone elses.

  12. I really have no clue why you decided to drop the charges. Of course I'd sue him and EVERY single time I see his dog outside without a leash I'd report him to animal control. There is no way I'd risk my safety, my dog's safety, or my child's  safety because some moron doesn't know how to properly contain his dog.

    I seriously advise you talk to animal control and tell them about both attacks as well as all the times you have seen this animal outside without a leash on. Don't wait till this dog attacks another dog or even a child.

    Would I put the dog down? I don't think that's up for me to decide. The dog in question could be a wonderful, behaved animal in the RIGHT hands.

  13. The owner absolutely needs to be sued and the authorities need to be contacted immediately.

    As far as putting the dog down. I don't agree with that. The dog is not a menus but defending his territory in front of his yard. His owners need to leash or fence that area.

    They should get that after they PAY.

    As far as your statement ..your dog off the leash ..not really a big deal

    Sorry I know your upset .. But your wrong. You have an animal and you are responsible just as you are asking them to be.

    Your dog no matter how great could scare someone or worse..

    The person probably said that because tension was high..

    But yes you need to be reimbursed for this. And hopefully this person can apologize once more and truly realize the severity of this.

    I hope you dog is better soon .. And I hope your family is ok too. I know my family would be very stressed if that happened,

    GL

Question Stats

Latest activity: earlier.
This question has 13 answers.

BECOME A GUIDE

Share your knowledge and help people by answering questions.
Unanswered Questions