Bitten by a dog

[GallusGal]

I don't agree that once a dog has bitten, it is always a biter and absolutely must be destroyed. Many bad behaviors in dogs are directly related to a lack of appropriate training and handling. I have seen the miraculous work some rescues have done on turning "vicious" dogs that would generally be written off as hopelessly dangerous and slated for euthanasia, and most dogs are capable of being reformed with the appropriate training. If a rescue is willing to take the risk and make the investment of time, effort, and expertise, I say let them.

I'm sorry about your bite and I hope the dog can be removed, because it sounds like he probably has a pretty lousy life if his owner cares for him so little. Even if he is euthanized, it is ultimately a kinder fate than being hit by a car or shot for causing trouble. No dog should have to live a life where he is in danger and endangering others.

 

[schellie69]

I have WHAT in my yard? :

Because the dog is a pure bred, I contacted the rescue for that breed organization. I will be talking to them again tomorrow, but it seems as if given the long paper chair on the neglect issue there may be grounds to take the dog for rescue.

It would be the best case scenario. It would be best if the owner agrees and signs the dog over. If she refuses the police may agree to a "rescue" where the dog just vanishes. It would make me feel better to know the dog would get another chance.

I hope this works. I am glad that you are trying to rescue the dog. Please keep us posted on how things are going. I hope the bite is better.​

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

I spoke at length to the staff of the rescue and they had a staff meeting. The director of the rescue is going to go visit the dog, with the police, to offer the option of a rescue placement and to assess the aggressiveness of the dog. There is no reason this dog should not get a chance just because it bit. It needs to be evaluated and let an expert determine if it can be rehabilitated.

I am amazed and impressed at the degree of effort the officer has been willing to put into helping this dog.




But - DH walked the kids to the bus this AM carrying a gun. I left for work. Dh called later and said he got the kids on the bus, and he and our dog walked home. As he hit our front deck he spotted the dog that bit me running loose on our property line.

I told the cop I am having an easter egg hunt here sunday. I want assurances that the dog will not be out.

 

[KristyHall]

Quote:
being a learned behavior it can be unlearned. some dogs have a steep learning curve. as long as the organization is made aware of the biting problem. I have rehabilitated plenty of dogs and cats, feral and non, with biting and scratching problems (I have the scars to prove it) some I have been able to save, some I had to pass on. Only one I had even euthinized. I still feel like I failed her. But she was old, I could not find anyone to take her, and she kept biting everyone. She was becoming dangerous and with children always visiting.... well I still feel guilty though intellectuality I know it had to be done.

 

[E. Buzz Miller]

Interesting thoughts here. I have a dog that is 10 yrs old now that I got from a rescue shelter & she's been the best, but.......if she ever went after somebody with bad intentions & actually bit them, I would have to think about putting her down.
Iv'e been bitten 3 times,
- 1st time, I was a little kid & was teasing the neighbors Dobie with a plastic baseball bat until it couldn't take it anymore. It jumped the fence & chased me into my house, into the kitchen where it attacked me but fortunatly my Mom was there & fought it off with a pan or something.

- 2nd time, 1990, I was just warming down from a jog in the middle of summer when I came around the corner from my house & a neighbors dog was sitting on the lawn eating a bone. It was a mid-size hound. As I passed by around 15ft away it came after me & I started to run but it got me on the back of the leg & drew blood BAD! I returned with a baseball bat & told the owner what had happened. I went to the hospital for some very painful shots & cleanup. I should of sued the crap out of them but I actually felt sorry for the family as they looked like they couldn't afford anything, let alone a lawsuit. They were required to keep the dog in the house for 2 weeks. I saw it running around a few days later.

- 3rd time, (mid-90's) I went on a service call (I'm a electrician) & the home owner told me to let myself in the house around back, go thru the gate & open the slider. I did that but the slider was locked, I turned around to face a doghouse 10ft' away with something growling at me. A huge German Shepard poked his head out & I said "Ohhhhhh S**T!! I turned & ran but he got me on the leg BUT since it was winter I had my insulated Carhartt overalls on & he ran out of leash, I was able to break free. I was shaking for 30 minutes after that & chewed out the home owner to no end.

If I had a vicious dog in my backyard with my wife, 3 month old & 3 yr old there, that dog wouldn't make it out alive, sorry. (& I'm an animal lover).


b.

 

[arabianequine]

E. Buzz Miller

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

I got bitten by a dog when I was 8, walking with my neighbor through her aunt's yard. We were going up to her door, and the dog leapt off the trailer roof (the hill came right up to the roof edge in the back) and went for my throat. I managed to get my arm up in time, and the giant german shepherd got my arm instead. I screamed really loud, and the owner came out... by the time I managed to walk home, my arm was bleeding really bad, and the neighbor shot the dog in the head... so they couldn't test it for rabies, and it hadn't been vaccinated. so if your dog bites someone, wait a day or 2 before shooting it.

 

[wowmanacat]

I have WHAT in my yard? :

When I delivered the pix to the cop this morning he looked at me and said, "I'd have shot it." I said "I don't walk around my property armed."
He said, "Maybe you should start."

They told me I am perfectly within my rights to shoot it if it is on my property.

He said, "Do you want to request that it be put down?"
I said, "May I request that the owner be put down?" He laughed.

Not sure where you are but here in AR if a dog is on your land you have the right to shot it, for a lot of dogs get dropped off out in the country out here. I was told if it is a threat to you, your family or your livestock(chickens too) that you have a right to shot it as long as it is on your land.​

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

Yes, I have the right to shoot it if it is on my land. And now if it comes near me I will. But, chances are I'll shoot at the ground at its feet first.

But, I reuse to have to walk around my property armed because this ahem, person can't keep control of their dog.

 

[franklinstreetwest]

You are one understanding and patient soul!

I have a neighbor that has a growing inbreeding population of mutt huskies, that is an accident waiting to happen. Right now there are three. I feel bad for them because they are POTENTIALLY good dogs with poor social skills and manners. On top of which they are taught bad behavior and cared for poorly. I live in a densely packed residential neighborhood where the houses are only about 10-15' apart. I can look right into their dog yard.....not a pretty sight!!!! All mudd, completely covered in feces..... I try not to look very often, but today I happened to and there was a pile of %#*@ in the middle of the yard like someone tried to clean up once apon a time and then the normal filthy poop mess covering everywhere else.........uuugh!! Ok, back to the real point...

The neighborhood we live in is a bit rough around the edges. There is a large crowd of rowdie kids every day as school lets out that walk down the sidewalk. They're teenagers mostly...I wouldn't expect them to be anything less. The neighbor has giant yew bushes that mask the porch so you can't see what's up there. They chain the dogs to the porch and have it set so the dogs can just get their noses to the edge of a passing coat sleeve. The dogs are silent until they lunge. Growling, barking and snarling and occasionally encouraged by the owners (one is a substitute teacher). The kids, scared whitless and not paying attention most of the time go screaming and bolting into the road! I am waiting for someone to get hit....Or for the chain to break.

This is a neighborhood with tons of pit bulls...people are really comfortable with dogs...But I've watched guys that know the area cross the street or hoot and bark before they walk by the house, just to be sure they're not on the porch.

My insurance agent told me that even if an animal is on it's own property and signs are posted, the owner is still liable. Don't know if it's the same in your state. But it sounds like the dog MIGHT derserve a second chance and the owner needs to be taught a lesson! Hope you heal quickly.