Aggressive dog

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a bit hard to tell what actually happened here. A dog ran up to you and your daughter and barked. You saw this as a very aggressive act and from the point of view of fearful people you were in fright. But barking is communication, not aggression. Barking can mean play with me, it can mean I’m lost, it can mean help me. There’s no point asking you how the dog was barking because I don’t think you have the experience to describe it.

As for reporting this incident, I don’t know what the point would be. It sounds like the dog ran off momentarily and the family ran after him. They weren’t neglecting him and he does not sound dangerous just because his bark frightened you. I’m really sorry this happened to you but I can’t agree that this is an “aggressive” dog.

+1

Just because you are not experienced with dogs, OP, doesn't mean it was "aggressive".

[Anonymous]

bring treats with you next time. throw them the other direction and then get away when it goes for the treat.
they did this with hamburgers in an episode of 911. might make you feel less scared to have some form of control over it's behavior.

i also highly recommend you find out who the owner is and meet the dog.
he was likely afraid too and protecting. i've had a sheperd bark at me aggressively and next time we met i put out my closed fist and the dog was sweet.

if the dog knows you, they won't act that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t mean to sound dismissive. But do you think any authority will take it seriously that a usually-contained dog escaped from home and then barked at you “aggressively” for a few minutes? What would the action even taken in that case? Reporting is not meant to validate your feelings.

In DC authorities make a record. See below for the code. The dog (if in DC) would be deemed a potentially dangerous dog.


(4)(A) “Potentially dangerous dog” means any dog that:

(i) Without provocation, chases or menaces a person or domestic animal in an aggressive manner, causing an injury to a person or domestic animal that is less severe than a serious injury;

(ii) In a menacing manner, approaches without provocation any person or domestic animal as if to attack, or has demonstrated a propensity to attack without provocation or otherwise to endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals; or

(iii) Is running at-large and has been impounded by an animal control agency 3 or more times in the District within any 12-month period.


Then, if the dog every repeats the behavior or any of the other behaviors above it will be deemed a "dangerous dog."


(1)(A) “Dangerous dog” means any dog that without provocation:

(i) Causes a serious injury to a person or domestic animal; or

(ii) Engages in behavior described in paragraph (4)(A)(i) of this section subsequent to having been determined to be a potentially dangerous dog pursuant to § 8-1902.


Upon determination of either of the above. The code has the below requirements.

§ 8–1904. Dangerous dog and potentially dangerous dog registration requirements.

(a) The Mayor shall issue a certificate of registration to the owner of a potentially dangerous dog if the owner establishes to the satisfaction of the Mayor that:

(1) The owner of the potentially dangerous dog is 18 years of age or older;

(2) A valid license has been issued for the potentially dangerous dog pursuant to District law;

(3) The potentially dangerous dog has current vaccinations;

(4) The owner has a proper enclosure, as determined by the Mayor, to confine the potentially dangerous dog;

(5) The owner has paid an annual fee in an amount to be determined by the Mayor, in addition to regular dog licensing fees, to register the potentially dangerous dog;

(6) The potentially dangerous dog has been spayed or neutered;

(7) The potentially dangerous dog has been implanted with a microchip containing owner identification information; and

(8) The owner has written permission of the property owner, if the dog owner is not the property owner, and from a homeowner’s association, if appropriate, to house the dog on the premises where the dog will be kept.

(b) The Mayor shall issue a certificate of registration to the owner of a dangerous dog if the owner, in addition to satisfying the requirements for registration of a potentially dangerous dog pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, establishes to the satisfaction of the Mayor that the owner of the dangerous dog has posted on the premises a clearly visible, printed warning sign, in type that is readable from not less than 50 feet, that there is a dangerous dog on the property, and that includes a conspicuous warning symbol that informs children of the presence of a dangerous dog.



§ 8–1905. Dangerous dog and potentially dangerous dog owner responsibilities.

It shall be unlawful to:

(1) Keep a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog without a valid certificate of registration issued under § 8-1904;

(2) Permit a potentially dangerous dog to be outside a proper enclosure unless the potentially dangerous dog is under the control of a responsible person and restrained by a chain or leash, not exceeding 4 feet in length;

(3) Fail to maintain a dangerous dog exclusively on the owner’s property except for medical treatment or examination. When removed from the owner’s property for medical treatment or examination, the dangerous dog shall be caged or under the control of a responsible person and muzzled and restrained with a chain or leash, not exceeding 4 feet in length. The muzzle shall be made in a manner that will not cause injury to the dangerous dog or interfere with its vision or respiration, but shall prevent it from biting any human being or animal;

(4) Fail to notify the Mayor within 24 hours if a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog is on the loose, is unconfined, has attacked another domestic animal, has attacked a human being, has died, has been sold, or has been given away. If the potentially dangerous or dangerous dog has been sold or given away, the owner shall also provide the Mayor with the name, address, and telephone number of the new owner of the potentially dangerous or dangerous dog;

(5) Fail to surrender a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog to the Mayor for safe confinement pending disposition of the case when there is a reason to believe that the potentially dangerous or dangerous dog poses a threat to public safety;

(6) Fail to comply with any special security or care requirements for a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog the Mayor may establish pursuant to § 8-1903; or

(7) Remove a dangerous dog from the District without written permission from the Mayor.



So yes, I believe the authority will take it seriously. I have myself reported and been taken seriously. You don't want to hear about something happening in your neighborhood and think, what if I had said something...do you?

The authorities make a full investigation - you will write your statement, and the owner will write theirs- if the dog was "just barking" they won't deem it a potentially dangerous dog just on your say so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t mean to sound dismissive. But do you think any authority will take it seriously that a usually-contained dog escaped from home and then barked at you “aggressively” for a few minutes? What would the action even taken in that case? Reporting is not meant to validate your feelings.

The authorities take it seriously b/c uncontained dogs can be a hazard. So, yes, first time just a warning to the owner. This step can actually be constructive: they may be able to give suggestions about how to contain the dog, and the warning communicates that the owners should not let it happen again. Also then there's a record so that if the dog does escape again and bite someone, the owners can't say "oh we never knew/he never ran before/etc."

Also not know if it the dog is "usually contained" given that OP indicates that the dog was far from its home. Maybe [I am speculating here] wanders its own block and annoys/threatens nearby neighbors regularly. Just don't know. But a call to HRA/relevant authority in your area is a very, very good idea.

And start carrying treats.

[Anonymous]

there's a big difference between a terrier and a pit

[Anonymous]

I would not report a dog for barking at me after the owners apologized, explained the dog got out and made sure you were ok. If it happens again, then it shows a pattern.

[Anonymous]

Well I ran into a bear while walking my dog.
We also stood still.

[Anonymous]

I try not to utilize legal solutions when they are not necessary. And I’m a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:there's a big difference between a terrier and a pit

A pit bull is an American Staffordshire Terrier by breed name, so technically not really.

[Anonymous]

The dog needs to be trained by the family to wear a muzzle. And they need to keep the dog in the their yard.

[Anonymous]

We reported our a dog in our neighborhood after it BIT my husband completely unprovoked, but all that happened was the dog was grounded except for his own backyard for two weeks. He’s lunged at small kids in the neighborhood too but nothing was done. OP I can understand how terrifying it must have been but I’m not sure what can be accomplished by reporting. I think they label the dog as aggressive and if it has too many strikes, it can be taken away so maybe it might be worth it if that happens. In my opinion, aggressive dogs like that should be put down, and I actually like dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t mean to sound dismissive. But do you think any authority will take it seriously that a usually-contained dog escaped from home and then barked at you “aggressively” for a few minutes? What would the action even taken in that case? Reporting is not meant to validate your feelings.

This.
OP, You weren’t attacked. A dog got loose and barked at you, scarring you. There’s nothing to report.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there's a big difference between a terrier and a pit

A pit bull is an American Staffordshire Terrier by breed name, so technically not really.

There’s lots of different terroir breeds. Most are small and not scary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:there's a big difference between a terrier and a pit

A pit bull is an American Staffordshire Terrier by breed name, so technically not really.

There’s lots of different terroir breeds. Most are small and not scary.

Yes, and a pit bull is one type.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a bit hard to tell what actually happened here. A dog ran up to you and your daughter and barked. You saw this as a very aggressive act and from the point of view of fearful people you were in fright. But barking is communication, not aggression. Barking can mean play with me, it can mean I’m lost, it can mean help me. There’s no point asking you how the dog was barking because I don’t think you have the experience to describe it.

As for reporting this incident, I don’t know what the point would be. It sounds like the dog ran off momentarily and the family ran after him. They weren’t neglecting him and he does not sound dangerous just because his bark frightened you. I’m really sorry this happened to you but I can’t agree that this is an “aggressive” dog.

+1

Just because you are not experienced with dogs, OP, doesn't mean it was "aggressive".

+1 Totally agree. Reporting it is completely overkill.