What would you do-dog bite

[Anonymous]

It's sad, and yes, he should have made it obvious that his dog wasn't friendly, but it is just one of those things that sometimes happen when you own a dog. My dog is friendly 90% of the time but for some reason he will occasionally snap (not bite) at another dog for seemingly no reason. Maybe the guy thought his dog would be ok and he was surprised too.

Also, I've had people let their dog come up to mine when I am clearly not showing signs of wanting to meet them--(reining in the leash, heeling him, stepping to the far side of the sidewalk, etc) so maybe you need to be more proactive then just saying "he's friendly." Maybe the guy thought a lack of response made it clear that his dog wasn't. I much prefer to get an affirmative response than to gauge whether no response is an assent or not. Stick with "is it ok for them to meet" or "is your dog friendly" and if they don't respond, assume they are saying no.

I can't imagine the hassle of going through small claims court would be worth the $200 or so you seem to be looking for anyway regardless of fault.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Wow. I didn't expect this reaction. The way the guy reacted after it happened told me that this was not his dog's first bite. Second, wow, in my neighborhood dogs go up and sniff each other all the time. We've made lots of friends both dog and human in our neighborhood since getting this dog. If the dog isn't friendly and there are many in the neighborhood, the owners short leash them. He is always on a 6 ft leash, sometimes pulled in and other times let out to the full 6 ft.

Thanks for my reality check.

[Anonymous]

Well now you know to stay 6 feet back when you see him and his dog. Sorry that your dog had to learn this the hard way.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP,
I am sorry that some posters are being unnecessarily harsh. I do think the guy sounds like a dick for not acknowledging you when you addressed him saying "my dog's friendly." I also think he's a dick for not telling you to back off if his dog has a history of biting.

However, I think since you and your dog were the ones who made the approach, you will probably just have to bite the bullet and let this one go with this guy. I do think that he was totally a jerk for not moving away, or saying "don't let your dog approach mine," or something like that.

So I guess next time, definitely make sure you get some indication of agreement from the other dog owner that it's okay for the two dogs to have an interaction. Sorry, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP,
I am sorry that some posters are being unnecessarily harsh. I do think the guy sounds like a dick for not acknowledging you when you addressed him saying "my dog's friendly." I also think he's a dick for not telling you to back off if his dog has a history of biting.

However, I think since you and your dog were the ones who made the approach, you will probably just have to bite the bullet and let this one go with this guy. I do think that he was totally a jerk for not moving away, or saying "don't let your dog approach mine," or something like that.

So I guess next time, definitely make sure you get some indication of agreement from the other dog owner that it's okay for the two dogs to have an interaction. Sorry, OP.

Where do you get unnecessarily harsh from? Just because people don't agree with OP's assessment of the situation doesn't mean they are harsh. OP asked for opinions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Wow. I didn't expect this reaction. The way the guy reacted after it happened told me that this was not his dog's first bite. Second, wow, in my neighborhood dogs go up and sniff each other all the time. We've made lots of friends both dog and human in our neighborhood since getting this dog. If the dog isn't friendly and there are many in the neighborhood, the owners short leash them. He is always on a 6 ft leash, sometimes pulled in and other times let out to the full 6 ft.

Thanks for my reality check.

Huh?

[Anonymous]

To be in control of your dog when walking he should be walking right beside you and not be on an extended leash. You can't control him otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Where do you get unnecessarily harsh from? Just because people don't agree with OP's assessment of the situation doesn't mean they are harsh. OP asked for opinions.

" I don't care if you say that your dog is friendy...it's a freaking dog"

"Another entitled OP. Who cares if you dog is friendly. I hate when people say that and expect you to let their dog lick you all over."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Wow. I didn't expect this reaction. The way the guy reacted after it happened told me that this was not his dog's first bite. Second, wow, in my neighborhood dogs go up and sniff each other all the time. We've made lots of friends both dog and human in our neighborhood since getting this dog. If the dog isn't friendly and there are many in the neighborhood, the owners short leash them. He is always on a 6 ft leash, sometimes pulled in and other times let out to the full 6 ft.

Thanks for my reality check.

OP, you telling a judge that you read this stranger and he didn't "act" like it was his first bite won't fly. I think he did his part by paying half the bill. It's really not his problem if your dog got an infection later that needed additional treatment.

[Anonymous]

OP, what did the guy do after the bite? Was he like, OMG, I am so sorry, is your dog okay, etc.?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, what did the guy do after the bite? Was he like, OMG, I am so sorry, is your dog okay, etc.?

Just curious, why does it matter how he reacted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what did the guy do after the bite? Was he like, OMG, I am so sorry, is your dog okay, etc.?

Just curious, why does it matter how he reacted?

I am just curious. Curious to know if he felt bad about what had happened, or if he was indifferent.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I don't remember exactly what was said except that his dog was out of sorts because he had just moved here the day before. He was not at all apologetic. He was also very cagey when giving me his information. He only provided his email until I insisted on getting his phone number too.

I'm sorry but I guess my husband and I are strange because had the situation been reversed we would have paid all the bills resulting from the bite, gotten our dog more training and put a muzzle on him in public. We would have been incredibly sorry that our dog caused harm to another dog. That is just us, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Where do you get unnecessarily harsh from? Just because people don't agree with OP's assessment of the situation doesn't mean they are harsh. OP asked for opinions.

" I don't care if you say that your dog is friendy...it's a freaking dog"

"Another entitled OP. Who cares if you dog is friendly. I hate when people say that and expect you to let their dog lick you all over."

None of those statements are particularly harsh.

One cannot assume just because her dog is friendly that other people, kids and dogs appreciate the dog being allowed to run right up to them.

Not everyone wants to be sniffed, snuffled, licked, etc by a "friendly" dog that is walking by on the street.

It is the dog owner's responsibility to make sure that others on the sidewalk welcome their strange dog's intrusion into their personal space before allowing their dog to come up to a strange person or dog. If you don't, then you are responsible for any harm that occurs, to your dog or to the other person/dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what did the guy do after the bite? Was he like, OMG, I am so sorry, is your dog okay, etc.?

Just curious, why does it matter how he reacted?

I am just curious. Curious to know if he felt bad about what had happened, or if he was indifferent.

I assume that if he paid 50% of the original bill, then he felt something higher than indifferent (but not totally responsible).