[purslaine]

My dog is big and jumpy.

In the last week or so I have been letting my DS(almost 13 and quite tall) walk him. Ds made an error in judgement - he let the dog go too close to a person and he jumped on her as she was walking away. He was on a leash, but he apparently jumped all of a sudden.

The woman (a stranger - although I have seen her before) claims the dog bit her shoulder- however my son is adamant the dog only jumped on her. I tend to believe my son - not only did he see the incident (remember - she was walking away) but her jacket was not torn. I know, I offerred to pay for it and she said the jacket was basically fine. Moreover, my dog has never bitten anyone before.

I do not doubt he hurt her, though - a large dog jumping on you can be painful and his claws are long.

I got the name of the woman off the cop who came to the house today to tell of the report - and I have apologized to her. I have also told her my Ds will not be walking the dog anymore (which I feel really bad about

He has only started walking the dog and is feeling empowerred that he can handle the large dog).

While I got an OK sense talking from her - my concern is she will press charges or try to sue. You never know. Is there anything I can do to cover my a$$ at the moment - any btdt???

Please snd positive vibes that she is OK, and that the whole incident will just go away!!!

edited to add: he is a Lab, 3, and we will be seeking obediance training for him

Kathy

 

[jlutgendorf]

The only thing I can think of is to call your home owners insurance and see what they say. Though i'm not sure if they would help you since it didn't occur in your house.

Sorry this happened. Good luck with the training.

~Julia

 

[Cutie Patootie]

If she was walking away, it probably scared the pants of off her when the dog jumped on her back. {{{very slight snicker

}}}
I can imagine she was just really angry and went straight home and called the cops out of anger. Hopefully, she has calmed down after your apology.
If the dog didn't cause any damage to her jacket...teeth imprints, or claw marks, she wouldn't have a very good case anyway. Sorry that happened when your ds was feeling so confident about walking the dog.

 

[BunnySlippers]

Maybe the dogs claws felt like a bite, or the dog had his mouth open. Labs seem like happy open-mouth type dogs. Perhaps she misunderstood.

Iam happy to hear you are taking this seriously and not blaming the women, I hear dog owners quite often blame the stranger for thier dogs behaviour

I don't think she can sue, or even would sue. It seems like such a hassle and she probaly does not have a case.

Maybe your son can be your dogs handler at the trainers, then he can still be empowered.

 

[SevenVeils]

I don't think there are any charges that she can press- assault with a dog? Likewise, if she isn't injured she has no medical bills, thus nothing to sue for. You already offered to pay for the jacket which she said wasn't damaged, right? She can't just sue for annoyance or fear, I don't think.

 

[purslaine]

She was hurt by the dog jumping on her - by his claws. I do not doubt she was hurt - but I cannot see it being too serious given the jacket being unscathed.

I am not entirely sure why she called the cops - she said "she just wanted me to know" and I get the feeling she thinks the dog is not safe.

I do not think anything will come of it - but will feel better in a week or so if I have not heard from her or anyone else.

Kathy

 

[gumby74]

We were dog sitting a neighbors dog one time and my sister who was 13 at the time took him for a walk. During the walk they came across one of our neighbors who is an older lady. For some reason the dog jumped on her. She claimed he bit her, but after talking to her and seeing what it did to her arm, I don't think he bit her, but in any case.....he hurt her. When the owners of this dog returned from their trip, she confronted them. Unfortunetly, they responded badly and it made her more upset and that is why she called the police. The lesson I learned from the whole situation is that it's critical to have complete control over a dog when they are being walked in public. It's so scary how quick something can happen. The marks left on this lady's arm were horrible looking and she had the power to demand this dog be euthanized. Thank heavens she didn't, but nevertheless....we all learned a lesson. I'm sorry to hear this happened to your son, but have the dog go through the obedience with him and in no time it will be much safer for him to walk the dog and you feel much more at ease knowing everyone involved is safe

 

[purslaine]

Yes, I definately will bring my son to training. He will like it

However, I did tell the woman I would not let DS walk the dog anymore - but I wish I had told her I would not let Ds walk the dog until it was safer. I think walking the dog has been quite positive for my son - yet I understand she has the right to walk on the sidewalk without being afraid.

I am not sure what I should do though once I feel it is safe for DS to walk the dog- track her down and explain? Or would it be better all round if Ds did not walk the dog for a few years - less likely to raise the womans fear (and she does have reason to be afraid) and ire? I just do not know.

Kathy

 

[SevenVeils]

I really don't think you need to track her down and explain anything.

Exactly what did the cops say to you when they came? I don't even understand why someone would call the cops over a dog of any size simply jumping on them. I'm really befuddled, actually. I mean, if a dog jumped on me and it hurt, I'd be annoyed, maybe angry for a little while, but the cops? What are they supposed to do? "A dog jumped on me and it was owie"?

Not that people should be letting their dogs jump on people of course. But that just seems like a very strange reaction.

 

[purslaine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SevenVeils I really don't think you need to track her down and explain anything. Exactly what did the cops say to you when they came? I don't even understand why someone would call the cops over a dog of any size simply jumping on them. I'm really befuddled, actually. I mean, if a dog jumped on me and it hurt, I'd be annoyed, maybe angry for a little while, but the cops? What are they supposed to do? "A dog jumped on me and it was owie"? Not that people should be letting their dogs jump on people of course. But that just seems like a very strange reaction.

I thought it was weird too. I am with you - the likelihood of me calling the cops on a dog jumping on me - and it hurting me - is really low. I would want to let the owners know so they could realise that they needed to get the dog under control - but heck, she could have spoken to me. I know some people are afraid to talk to strangers though - so maybe she thought the police was the way to go? Who knows?

However, she thought the dog bit her - it is a big dog, with big claws - and she was walking away as it happenned. I think she mistook a jump for a bite.

The cop was really nice. She claimed there was a complaint of dog bite - I said "no". She said while a teen was walking the dog. I called my son outside and he said the dog jumped on her while she was walking away. He was adamant the dog did not bite her - and I beleive him (the other evidence - like: he has never bit anyone, the jacket was largely unhurt, and the difficulty of biting a shoulder on a 5'7'' woman) makes the whole thing scream "no bite" to me).

The cop asked if the rabies was up to date - it is. I started to well up with tears because I know situaions like this can get really messy - and the cop consoled me. She said the woman did not want the dog put down, and she did not think it was necessary, she was just here to fill a report....

I probably do not need to track the woman down when I feel it is safe for DS to walk the dog again. If she has an issue - she can contact me (or call the cops

:, although I cannot see that going well with the cops, lol

) and I will let them know we have been working with a trainer, blah, blah, blah

 

[choli]

My mother who is in her 80s was jumped on by a dog, was knocked to the ground, and broke her wrist. That is really not good at her age.

No, she didn't sue or call the police, but it had a serious effect on her self confidence and of course there was the inconvenience of a cast and all the trips to the hospital.

Seriously, it's REALLY important to keep your dog under control.

 

[purslaine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by choli Seriously, it's REALLY important to keep your dog under control.

I totally agree. I am taking the whole incident as a wake up call.

((HUGS)) to you mom. I hope her wrist healed well.

 

[choli]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathymuggle I totally agree. I am taking the whole incident as a wake up call. ((HUGS)) to you mom. I hope her wrist healed well.

Thanks! The wrist healed OK, but she is now very nervous about going outdoors by herself, which is the main problem as we feel it is important for her to keep active. She lives alone, and she needs to get outside and talk to people.

It was actually my cousin's dog, and my cousin felt SO badly over it! He meant no harm, he is a rather exuberent dog and was just being friendly, but my mother is small and frail.

 

[CarrieMF]

If she thought the dog bit her, most people would go to ER. Especially here in Canada where she wouldn't have to pay to go. However if she went to ER it would have been reported to public health & then public health would have contacted you about it.

I'm surprised the police even came out. When my dd was bit on the arm by the neighbor's dog they couldn't be bothered to come. We did take my dd to ER but that was more in spite of my neighbors as their dogs are vicious & we really don't like them.lol

I see no need to contact her when you're comfortable with ds walking the dog again, just make him aware that if he sees her to cross the street or start going in the other direction so there is no chance of the dog touching her.

 

[purslaine]

Quick update: I have not heard anything more from cops or the victum (thank goodness!)

I called a trainer and she is coming Friday

:

Thanks to a poster on the "dog growls at DH thread" for posting a link to Canadian dog trainer association - that is where we found our trainer and she sounds competant and sweet.

Kathy