Dog Bite's

CFC

paulsad wrote: »

Totally agree - my pup is playful and I encourage him to meet other dogs - so far every dog he has met on or off the lead has recognized him as a pup and been very tolerant - when he grows to full size he will have learnt to be sociable (he is a rottie/doberman cross with a lovely nature). If I had an aggressive dog it would be muzzled I'm afraid, I wouldn't put the onus on others to keep their dogs away.

The onus is on others to keep away from a dog on a lead. A dog can be on a lead because it is frightened of other dogs, because its social skills or poor, because it is aggressive, for its own protection, or because recall is poor.

My own small dog on a lead has been hurt by a very large boisterous labrador pup with some moronic bloke watching from a distance and calling out 'he's only a puppy'. And how that makes a difference when my dog is crying out in pain or shock, I do not know. But the idiot owner seemed to think it did!

orlao

Legally no one can 'claim' a vet bill from another owner without going through the proper processes. As with car insurance, sometimes pet insurance companies will pay up rather than incur the expense of going to court but that isn't guaranteed. If there is no insurance an owner would need to make a small claim which would require them to get proof that

• Your dog was the one that injured theirs.
• That their dog was under control and yours wasn't.
• That they had followed all the procedures for making a court claim .i.e tried to sort it out with you prior in writing, a letter of intent with an offer of mediation and probably a vets report.

A good owner would offer to pay the bill if their dog is obviously at fault but in this case, as your dog was on a lead and the other wasn't the assumption would be that the fault was the other owners.

I have a JRT that will bite and mean it when he is on a lead and I get really sick of other dog walkers automatically blaming him when they are the ones who let their dog get injured by not having them under control. As for muzzling him, well that's not going to help with a nervous aggressive dog is it? He is improving but tbh, daffy dog walkers don't help - I fully understand that dogs will always show you up at the wrong time and ignore a recall but then it is time to accept responsibility for your actions (or lack of them) and learn from them. It's just a shame that your dog has to suffer for it.

orlao

paulsad wrote: »

Totally agree - my pup is playful and I encourage him to meet other dogs - so far every dog he has met on or off the lead has recognized him as a pup and been very tolerant - when he grows to full size he will have learnt to be sociable (he is a rottie/doberman cross with a lovely nature). If I had an aggressive dog it would be muzzled I'm afraid, I wouldn't put the onus on others to keep their dogs away.

I agree that up to about 8 - 10 months there does seem to be 'puppy licence' that allows young dogs to get away with murder with older dogs. But please be aware that that does change practically overnight and your dog could end being hurt. Plus, if my dogs are on leads - it's for a reason. It might be because of aggression or resting after injury or it might even because I'm in the middle of a training session with them and while I have no doubt that your dog is gorgeous I might not want him bounding up and joining in!

Also, he is going to be a big dog,from breeds that don't have the best reputation sadly and you will find that a lot of people are nervous even scared of him. I'm sure he is the nicest dog going but you have to remember that he is your dog - and other people are entitled not to like him or want him near while out in public. I say this as a rottie owner btw, not because I don't love the breeds...but there is a lot of prejudice.

Of course, if I've completely got the wrong end of the stick and you always ask before you let your pup go up to an on lead dog, then please just ignore me

gettingready

CFC wrote: »

The onus is on others to keep away from a dog on a lead. A dog can be on a lead because it is frightened of other dogs, because its social skills or poor, because it is aggressive, for its own protection, or because recall is poor.

My own small dog on a lead has been hurt by a very large boisterous labrador pup with some moronic bloke watching from a distance and calling out 'he's only a puppy'. And how that makes a difference when my dog is crying out in pain or shock, I do not know. But the idiot owner seemed to think it did!

Absolutely 100% agree.

Drives me up the wall when I have Zara on a lead and some dogs runs over to her with her/his owners miles behind and shouting "!he/she is friendly, only wants to play"

Well. MY dog is on a lead (when it is) for a reason so pls respect that and keep your away as there is very little I can do having her on a lead and some "wanting to play" dog runs basically inside her mouth.

No, she will nto be muzzled as she is not agressive and she has a grumpy day she is simply in a lead, that is enough visual warning for the "mine is friendl;y wants to play" lot to keep their dogs near them and if they have no recall - keep THEM on leads.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr rant over

tango

gettingready wrote: »

Absolutely 100% agree.

Drives me up the wall when I have Zara on a lead and some dogs runs over to her with her/his owners miles behind and shouting "!he/she is friendly, only wants to play"

Well. MY dog is on a lead (when it is) for a reason so pls respect that and keep your away as there is very little I can do having her on a lead and some "wanting to play" dog runs basically inside her mouth.

No, she will nto be muzzled as she is not agressive and she has a grumpy day she is simply in a lead, that is enough visual warning for the "mine is friendl;y wants to play" lot to keep their dogs near them and if they have no recall - keep THEM on leads.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr rant over

The trouble is when one dog is on a lead and the other not ,its not equal and can often lead to the on lead dog feeling threatened,so therefore more likely to react in an aggressive way..

I do think if someone's dog is aggressive and you know he has bitten other dogs then he should be on a lead.
If approached by a off lead dog then at least you have a certain amount of control..

My dog learnt a vauable lesson with an older dog ( they were both playing off lead ) and got a nasty mark on her head ( either tooth or claw).

You can't expect all dog owners IMO to put their dogs on lead when meeting other dogs ,I don't see it as being practical. Of course all dog owners should have some degree of resposibility for their dog,but at the end of the day they are dogs and will socialise ,they aren't human... they need to sniff each others bottoms

vax2002

orlao wrote: »

Legally no one can 'claim' a vet bill from another owner without going through the proper processes.

Yes you can, the proper process is you sue the other party in county court for the damage the animal they own has done.
I know I have done it when someones pit bull (sorry staffy) decided to rip my spaniels throat out, they thought it was very funny and "tough Luck"
I sued, I won, they refused to pay I got a collection order, Bailiffs attended and took away lots of nice shiny things from their house.
I got my money. Problem solved.
Principle of English Law is you shall not cause loss or harm.

orlao

vax2002 wrote: »

Yes you can, the proper process is you sue the other party in county court for the damage the animal they own has done.
I know I have done it when someones pit bull (sorry staffy) decided to rip my spaniels throat out, they thought it was very funny and "tough Luck"
I sued, I won, they refused to pay I got a collection order, Bailiffs attended and took away lots of nice shiny things from their house.
I got my money. Problem solved.
Principle of English Law is you shall not cause loss or harm.

Err, I did say that court was the proper option - and rightly so.
But there does seem to be an attitude that 'your dog bit mine so it is automatically your fault and your liability' That is not always the case as the law does recognise that if one dog was under control and another wasn't (which is a criminal offence under the DDA and criminal law trumps civil law) that you will not automatically be held liable in those circumstances.

I hope your dog fully recovered and well done for going after irresponsible dog owners and making them pay for their stupidity.

orlao

tango wrote: »

The trouble is when one dog is on a lead and the other not ,its not equal and can often lead to the on lead dog feeling threatened,so therefore more likely to react in an aggressive way..

I do think if someone's dog is aggressive and you know he has bitten other dogs then he should be on a lead.
If approached by a off lead dog then at least you have a certain amount of control..

My dog learnt a vauable lesson with an older dog ( they were both playing off lead ) and got a nasty mark on her head ( either tooth or claw).

You can't expect all dog owners IMO to put their dogs on lead when meeting other dogs ,I don't see it as being practical. Of course all dog owners should have some degree of resposibility for their dog,but at the end of the day they are dogs and will socialise ,they aren't human... they need to sniff each others bottoms

I'm sorry but I'm afraid I do expect all dog owners to keep their dog under control - if your dog won't walk to heel past another dog if need be, then on lead it goes! Training isn't always easy but it is so worth it because it means that these type of situations just don't occur. I have also known a dog whose cruciate repair op was ruined in week 6 because an off lead dog jumped on her - not funny or fair.

Yes, dogs do need to socialise and run free ideally but there are dogs that for various reasons can't or are not safe to so and you are risking both your dog and theirs being injured if you allow them to bounce up willy nilly. It's also bl00dy bad manners.

harrys_nan

I have a 13 yr old lab/collie, very well behaved but doesnt like young dogs bounding up to her wanting to "play" , she doesnt want to play, nor does she want to be snapped at by a dog that will not leave her alone. She tries to give a wide berth to some dogs, instinct I guess, but owners just say " but my dog only want to play" yes thats fine BUT my dog doesnt. One dog bit her (she was on a lead other dog wasnt) and the owner said his dog bit incase my dog did. does that mean I can punch him in the face incase he punches me??
I dont want a teenager in my face no more than my dog, I'm not at all unfriendly just want my doddery old dog safe.
I have had to ask a few dog owners to call their dogs away even though they can see my dog distressed

bagginslover

I usually ignore owners of rude off lead dogs now, instead I shout at the dogs to 'go away'. I also put my dog behind me, so I am between him and the other dog, this way, if the other dog starts biting, it'll get me, not my dog. I'd much rather I got bitten than my dog, it's cheaper fir a start. Plus, if the other dog bites me, there is a much better case for making the owner keep it on a lead legally (I wouldn't call for the dog to be destroyed where I chose to be between 2 dogs, I know there is a difference between that, and a truly dangerous dog). Also, by showing my dog I will protect him in situations I know he is uncomfortable in, it enforces my place as pack leader, makes him more confident, and better able to cope with the situations.