Maybe this is GD, but I figure there's a debate here.

OK, I get home last night and my wife says that another dog attacked our dog. The dog ran down the driveway and into the street and bit my dog in the neck, drawing blood.

Now, I go to the house to find out about the dog's rabies shots (vet's recommendation), but the owners aren't home. Their housesitter is there and is very apologetic. The owners told her that she could leave the dog out and not worry. She doesn't have proof of rabies shots but is sure the dog is up to date, and she takes my number to have the owners call me.

I haven't heard from them yet. Now, ... do I make a report to animal services? The vet says they won't destroy the dog, but they probably will reprimand the owners for not having the dog properly restrained.

Does this answer change if the owners call me and apologize? Offer to pay the vet bill? I mean, what if the dog had attacked a kid or a woman walking a baby? It was very docile and friendly when I walked up to the house, but it had ferociously attacked my dog.

Help me out.

Bubba get the shotgun, were goin' fishing.

hmmm youre name isnt really scott and are my friend are ya?


his wife was walking their jack russell when the neighbors dog broke its chain and mauled it something fierce. his wife and several neighbors actually had to beat the dog to make him drop the russell.

when he did and mags carried him home, she was soaked in its blood. they took it to the vet and 3 days and $2300 later, they were able to bring him home. at first my buddy, not so much shrugged his shoulder, he was obviously pissed his dog was attacked, but he couldnt really fault the owners 100% since the dog did break the chain.

but after talking to several other neighbors, he found out that this same dog has attacked four other dogs in the neighborhood, and the husband actually sued one of his neighbors since the other dog bit his dog, and won since the dog wandered into their property.

my buddy just certified the bill to them and the dog is almost recovered. he still has his stiches and is missing about 3 inches of his intestine, but hes about 80% right now

That's definitely not me. My dog just has a small puncture on her neck. I'm really sorry for your friend man. My wife would never have recovered if she'dve had to carry a bloody dog home.

You are right just_b, it could easily have been a child. Dog on dog aggression is specific problem, but if often translates to dog on child aggression. I would report the dog, just to be on record. I love dogs and would never advocate doing something that could endanger them, but the dog's owners need to be more careful and work with the dog or a similar thing could happen again.

You are entitled to compensation since the dog was not restrained as it should have been. I dont know if you wish to get involved in litigation as time may be a prohibiting factor, but you should at least bring the possibility of a suit to the attention of the dogs owner should he/she not respond promptly.

Won't somebody please think of the children!!

I'd get paid before involving the law.

Then involve the law.

Even if these people are extremely apologetic, your dog is still injured and it's a possibility that it could happen again right? These people also assured their housesitter that this wouldn't happen in the first place. They've already been wrong and your dog and your pocketbook (so far) have paid for it.
Yes, report it in whatever manner is apporpriate in your area. Loose dogs are a problem when they attack. There's 3 dogs on my block that roam freely, but they're the most docile animals I've ever seen. If they DO bite or attack anything, I'm calling this guy


"I grab a dog. I choke him and I kick the shit out of him. All day long got my foot up a dog's ass. Just bang, bang, bang up his ass. That's my pleasure. " - Mr Jones

You rule.

Just to clarify. There will be no legal action. The cost is a vet office visit, maybe some antibiotic and a rabies shot. I doubt I'm even bold enough to show up at their door with a vet bill and ask for money, but I'm sure not going to the trouble of getting a lawyer over it.

Do it. Seriously, show up at their door with a vet bill. If they give you any shit, threaten civil and criminal action, and if they still don't pay you, get the cops involved. Vet bills aren't cheap, you deserve that money.

At the very, very least report it to the Humane Society or whatever agency there is in your area. Imagine the feeling you'll have if that dog attacks again knowing you did nothing.

Yeah, still no call from the owners. I'm gonna file a report.

I'm pretty sure you are probably required by some civil code to not only bring your dog in for exam and testing, but report the incident so that the city/county has record of the attack.

You need to telephone your local Animal Control or local Animal Services Department for specifics.

The dog should go to the vet if for no other reason to check the wound and get antibiotics to fight any potential infection, if that's even applicable.

c-

Of course I took my dog to the vet. The vet said it was my choice on reporting it.

Cool. Reporting it can really be troublesome.... I hope your dog is doing well (poor baby!)

I would die if that happened to my dog...that is if I had one.

Report the dog. It might attack a child. But get your $ first...

FYI. If the owners can't prove the dog's rabies status it'll either be quarantined for quite a long period or euthanized, since there's no rabies test for living animals. You should still definitely report the dog, but just be prepared you might have angry neighbors because Animal Control took their dog away.

well, if anyone had any doubts that youre really a lawyer, those have been squashed