Small dog attacked toddler while in walk

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm conflict avoidant too, but in this case I'm team DH. Honestly I'd probably take it further and look into making a case the dog should be put down so it can't attack other innocent people in the future, but no idea if this is feasible.

The dog doesn’t need to be put down….it needs a better, more reliable owner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, no lawyer. Everything turned out fine, although traumatic, for your child. Carry a can of Raid or Bear spray on walks….that will stop the dog. You were justified in kicking the dog, so I wouldn’t give that a second thought. You should probably keep your 22 month old closer so you can scoop her up. You never know what can happen.

OP said the child was a foot in front of her. Definitely close enough to swoop the child up quickly.

So, should we all constantly keep our children at arms lengths because so many folks are irresponsible dog owners?

I do agree with you about mace though. I was attached by a “gentle breed” when I was 17. I was a cross country runner and ended up losing my scholarship due to attack. I had numerous surgeries and at 37 I am still terrified of all dogs.

I sincerely hope OPs DD does not remember her attack and in so glad the dog was small.

OP. I’d sue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm conflict avoidant too, but in this case I'm team DH. Honestly I'd probably take it further and look into making a case the dog should be put down so it can't attack other innocent people in the future, but no idea if this is feasible.

The dog doesn’t need to be put down….it needs a better, more reliable owner.

Maybe, maybe not.

A close family member was in this exact situation. This person is an extreme dog lover. Several months later the dog bit someone else and was put down.

We don't know enough about this dog and its behaviors to say. But I'd look into it and pursue if possible so that: 1) the neighbors understand the FAFO principle; 2) no future innocent adults or children are harmed.

[Anonymous]

I would get a lawyer because of the neighbor’s outrageous claim. The docs and rns at urgent care can back up your version of the story because they took a history when you went there. Do you or your daughter have abrasions from the sidewalk? That would support your story that you weren’t trespassing. And watch out for other neighbors who walk the neighborhood. Chances are that this dog has menaced other people before. I’m assuming the police filed a report with animal control? They would know if there have been other complaints. A mom with a baby strapped to her and a not yet 2 year old toddler is not the usual suspect who trespasses and assaults a dog and the police know this.

[Anonymous]

We have 2 dogs and are long time fosters. I have encountered people like your neighbor and I've stopped trying to understand them. You cannot expect rational behavior from irrational people.

I'm with your DH. If you don't want to get an attorney, sue the dog's owner in Small Claims Court. Find out if anyone else has reported/complained the dog was running at large. Post on the neighborhood chat to see if anyone else has similar experiences. Chances are, you are not the only one and this dog is considered a nuisance.

Believe you me, others in your neighborhood are put out with these owners. Tap into that. I shudder to think what might have happened if your DC where a little older and by himself.

[Anonymous]

Was the dog off leash?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have 2 dogs and are long time fosters. I have encountered people like your neighbor and I've stopped trying to understand them. You cannot expect rational behavior from irrational people.

I'm with your DH. If you don't want to get an attorney, sue the dog's owner in Small Claims Court. Find out if anyone else has reported/complained the dog was running at large. Post on the neighborhood chat to see if anyone else has similar experiences. Chances are, you are not the only one and this dog is considered a nuisance.

Believe you me, others in your neighborhood are put out with these owners. Tap into that. I shudder to think what might have happened if your DC where a little older and by himself.

Thank you!

I really don’t want to make enemies. For everyone’s peace & sanity. But I wouldn’t be surprised if this was not the first incident.

[Anonymous]

OP talk to Animal control. several laws were broken by the owner of the dog. They will visit them and explain what they have done wrong, how they are liable if you choose to prosecute them and what they need to change in order for this kind of incident not to happen again.

I hope your child is ok. A similar thing happened to my DD when she was 8 and it was horrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was the dog off leash?

Yes. The owner was sitting on the porch and the dog started running & growling towards us. There was a bush between the houses so I didn’t see the dog until it had cling onto DD. It all happened very fast, and was over fast. Probably 30 seconds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would get a lawyer because of the neighbor’s outrageous claim. The docs and rns at urgent care can back up your version of the story because they took a history when you went there. Do you or your daughter have abrasions from the sidewalk? That would support your story that you weren’t trespassing. And watch out for other neighbors who walk the neighborhood. Chances are that this dog has menaced other people before. I’m assuming the police filed a report with animal control? They would know if there have been other complaints. A mom with a baby strapped to her and a not yet 2 year old toddler is not the usual suspect who trespasses and assaults a dog and the police know this.

OP, you do need to:

Ensure police filed a report with animal control.

Follow up with animal control. I'd want to know what they had done. I'd be beyond pi$$ed if the woman didn't at least get fined or cited. I'd be offering to help them pursue her to cite her.

As PP says, get a lawyer NOW. One who has handled animal bite cases if possible. I would ask the lawyer what the next step would be. It may not be a lawsuit since suing over a small amount may not be worth it (though maybe you could sue for distress, I don't know). But a lawyer might want to send a letter to the woman worded to show that you'd be willing to sue, and to try to convince her to pay medical bills.

It's about the principles here, OP. That dog is going to savage someone else's leg and next time it may be more severe. Help the neighborhood by putting her in her place. You have other neighbors; you don't need to be in HER good graces. Why are you worried what the neighbors will say? She is lying about you AND about your toddler, and trying to get away with doing nothing about her dog's vicious behavior!

[Anonymous]

Imagine if the dog had bitten OP’s child’s face/eye area instead of her legs. The injuries could have been much worse. OP was completely justified in kicking a dog that was attacking her baby. It’s called self defense! And because the neighbor is being a jerk about the situation, I agree that getting a lawyer is the way to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would get a lawyer because of the neighbor’s outrageous claim. The docs and rns at urgent care can back up your version of the story because they took a history when you went there. Do you or your daughter have abrasions from the sidewalk? That would support your story that you weren’t trespassing. And watch out for other neighbors who walk the neighborhood. Chances are that this dog has menaced other people before. I’m assuming the police filed a report with animal control? They would know if there have been other complaints. A mom with a baby strapped to her and a not yet 2 year old toddler is not the usual suspect who trespasses and assaults a dog and the police know this.

OP, you do need to:

Ensure police filed a report with animal control.

Follow up with animal control. I'd want to know what they had done. I'd be beyond pi$$ed if the woman didn't at least get fined or cited. I'd be offering to help them pursue her to cite her.

As PP says, get a lawyer NOW. One who has handled animal bite cases if possible. I would ask the lawyer what the next step would be. It may not be a lawsuit since suing over a small amount may not be worth it (though maybe you could sue for distress, I don't know). But a lawyer might want to send a letter to the woman worded to show that you'd be willing to sue, and to try to convince her to pay medical bills.

It's about the principles here, OP. That dog is going to savage someone else's leg and next time it may be more severe. Help the neighborhood by putting her in her place. You have other neighbors; you don't need to be in HER good graces. Why are you worried what the neighbors will say? She is lying about you AND about your toddler, and trying to get away with doing nothing about her dog's vicious behavior!

Agreed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would get a lawyer because of the neighbor’s outrageous claim. The docs and rns at urgent care can back up your version of the story because they took a history when you went there. Do you or your daughter have abrasions from the sidewalk? That would support your story that you weren’t trespassing. And watch out for other neighbors who walk the neighborhood. Chances are that this dog has menaced other people before. I’m assuming the police filed a report with animal control? They would know if there have been other complaints. A mom with a baby strapped to her and a not yet 2 year old toddler is not the usual suspect who trespasses and assaults a dog and the police know this.

OP, you do need to:

Ensure police filed a report with animal control.

Follow up with animal control. I'd want to know what they had done. I'd be beyond pi$$ed if the woman didn't at least get fined or cited. I'd be offering to help them pursue her to cite her.

As PP says, get a lawyer NOW. One who has handled animal bite cases if possible. I would ask the lawyer what the next step would be. It may not be a lawsuit since suing over a small amount may not be worth it (though maybe you could sue for distress, I don't know). But a lawyer might want to send a letter to the woman worded to show that you'd be willing to sue, and to try to convince her to pay medical bills.

It's about the principles here, OP. That dog is going to savage someone else's leg and next time it may be more severe. Help the neighborhood by putting her in her place. You have other neighbors; you don't need to be in HER good graces. Why are you worried what the neighbors will say? She is lying about you AND about your toddler, and trying to get away with doing nothing about her dog's vicious behavior!

Yes. This has been DHs point. I avoid conflict to a fault. I definitely don’t want DD growing up thinking I will not protect and defend her.

[Anonymous]

What was the breed? I bet I can guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What was the breed? I bet I can guess.

I believe a Cairn Terrier. Or a mix. It was a smaller dog, probably 15 pounds.