Dog fight liability?

[macneill]

Who's liable in a dog fight these days? The owner of the attacker? The attackee? Both parties? Person who owns the property where it happened? Nobody?

Friday night at our friendly local city neighborhood dog run, my dog got into a fight with two other dogs within seconds of each other. Over a ball nonetheless.

For those of you who know my dog, know he's little, ironically it was also his first birthday!

First was with a poodle whom from which he got the ball. Second was a pug who didn't fair so well. My dog latched onto his face and ear and went crazy. Started shaking him like a rodent.

Ended up tearing part of his ear and causing enough blood to cause the owner to freak out.

I apologized profusely and offered help and anything else I could do. They wouldn't even look at me, nor respond, so we left.

Just curious.

Numbers were not exchanged, but I would have gladly paid the vet bill.

 

[PabloCruise]

I'm no lawyer, but I'm guessing if your dog dished it out, you can be on the hook.

You did the right thing offering to pay for vet bills...

Be careful with your pooch now - homeowners insurance is getting more interested in your dogs behavior if they start nipping people.

 

[erics_bruisers]

I would pay the bill as a courtesy, but there is some assumption of risk on their side, taking their dog to a dog park --

-- that, to me, is different than their walking their pup down the road and having your dog attack theirs --

-- maybe give them a day or so to cool down, then call them again and offer to pay?

 

[macneill]

We didn't exchange numbers, but I'm sure I'll run into them again at the park, then agan we're moving, so maybe not...

I agree, it's a fine line between walking down the street on a leash and an unleashed public city provided run.

 

[Fly Rod]

Rule #1: You are responsible for controlling your dog.
Rule #2: Dogs are not allowed to be aggressive. Zero tollarance! The aggressor is responsible for the vet bills.
Rule #3: Don't go to dog parks. There are alot of very bad things for dogs floating around in those places.

OK, so I am a little on the hard core side. I train working retrievers and we have 2 - 10 dogs out at any given time. ANY dog that shows aggression or even dominance gets placed in a subordinant position imeadiately. It may take once or twice but they will get the point. My female lab showed dominance one time too many. She now turns and, begrudgingly, walks away from an aggressor.

I did paid vet bills due too my first female that didn't get this important lesson. You will earn alot of respect if you even offer to pay up.

Good luck and don't let your dog continue with this behavior.

 

[sisukid1975]

Who's liable in a dog fight these days? The owner of the attacker? The attackee? Both parties? Person who owns the property where it happened? Nobody?

Friday night at our friendly local city neighborhood dog run, my dog got into a fight with two other dogs within seconds of each other. Over a ball nonetheless.

For those of you who know my dog, know he's little, ironically it was also his first birthday!

First was with a poodle whom from which he got the ball. Second was a pug who didn't fair so well. My dog latched onto his face and ear and went crazy. Started shaking him like a rodent.

Ended up tearing part of his ear and causing enough blood to cause the owner to freak out.

I apologized profusely and offered help and anything else I could do. They wouldn't even look at me, nor respond, so we left.

Just curious.

Numbers were not exchanged, but I would have gladly paid the vet bill.

Rules at our city dog park are as follows:

Use at your own risk.

We don't bring our dogs there anymore. We used to but once this one-eyed mongrel attacked our Dane. The dane had the other dog on his back and was in position to deliver a death bite, but they seperated. SInce then, the Dane has been very "on-edge" with other dogs, and we have not wanted to bring her back because of the risk she might kill someone's dog.




Fred

 

[macneill]

Good point. We have the same signs too.

Rules at our city dog park are as follows:

Use at your own risk.


Fred

 

[sisukid1975]

Good point. We have the same signs too.

Right. Use at your own risk, and you offered to do the right thing. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

 

[CandyPants]

Use at your own risk does not protect your dog from being classified as "aggressive" under the law, but it might protect you from legalities associated with this incident.

If the other dog owners call animal control (or whatever you have where you are) and say that your dog is aggressive, the rules change and your dog becomes a menace to society under the law (well, not quite that bad, but it's not fun).

My advice, no more dog park, ever. I don't do dog parks because of 1) disease, 2) risk of injury - to mine or someone elses, 3) most people are stupid with and about their dogs.

By the way, my pitty boy has a knack for the attack, so he stays home and never is unrestrained. It sounds like you get it that your dog was in the wrong, so that's cool. But dogs are dogs and can not reason, so you've got a biter and probably always will unless you do some serious behavior modification. My advice is to keep the pooch at home or on a leash.

Good luck!

 

[erics_bruisers]

we never go to dog parks -- precious instead plays with pups she has proven to have good relations with --

-- though, back in the day, i went with spud, i met some nice folk --

e

 

[ed97fzj80]

It may depend on local ordinance. Here, the sign at the dog park says "Use at own risk," but local law says "You are responsible for what your dog does." It cost me $300 to learn that nuance, so my dog lost his park privileges.

 

[Hot_Eighty_Chick]

we never go to dog parks -- precious instead plays with pups she has proven to have good relations with --

-- though, back in the day, i went with spud, i met some nice folk --

e

Awww, what a precious face!! Makes me wanna squeeze him/her!!

 

[dieseldog]

He is looking at us like we look at a menu . . . .

 

[a990dna]

Who's liable in a dog fight these days? The owner of the attacker? The attackee? Both parties? Person who owns the property where it happened? Nobody?

My neighbor had an Akita he kept on a chain in the front yard. At the same time every evening, some women down the street would walk her Poodle on the opposite side of the street. Needless to say that Akita broke the chain and made a beeline for the Poodle---it wasn't a pleasant sight.

The Poodle lived, but my neighbor had to pay for the vet bills.

Shortly therafter, the Akita turned on my neighbor (owner) and they took him to the hospital---the dog was gone after that episode.

 

[brett76]

I would pay the bill as a courtesy, but there is some assumption of risk on their side, taking their dog to a dog park --

-- that, to me, is different than their walking their pup down the road and having your dog attack theirs --

-- maybe give them a day or so to cool down, then call them again and offer to pay?

si

i alway think what happens at the dog park is kinda everyones responsibility unless your dog is an obviously antisocial and aggressive dog

 

[erics_bruisers]

Awww, what a precious face!! Makes me wanna squeeze him/her!!

thanks for this!

here's more --

http://www.spbr.org/pictures/eandp/eandp.htm



e

 

[Grouseman]

Fly Rod is 1000% correct. Secondly just my opinion I would NEVER own a breed of dog that is known to be aggressive. I can't stand a dog that bites people or other dogs. I have other ways to protect myself and my family other than a aggressive breed of dog. But that is just me.

Gman

 

[hooptie]

i am somewhat concerned that you are even considering bringing the dog back to the park-

really i don't like them for the simple fact that no one who brings their dogs there is required to show at the very least proof of rabies vacc.

secondly, forgetting the fact that your dog shows dog-aggressive tendencies, other people bring poorly socialized dogs to these parks that could put your dog in danger

i would thank your lucky stars that this person isn't going to try to pursue you personally, or even try to have your dog taken from you

my advice to you is to find another activity for you and your dog and keep in mind what your dog is capable of

i don't know what breed of dog you own, but i have pit bulls and damn right if one of mine did that, they would be in the front page of the paper