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Emily94 · Apr 12, 2007, 02:20 PM

My dog is a black lab she is full grown and she weighs about 70 pounds. She will not jump the fence unless someone calls her over. The fence is 4 feet tall. The cop came and said my dog bit a young child(10-12 years of age) she didn't break the skin or even leave a mark. Yet my dog was on our property before and after the attck yet they say they were petting her through the fence and the dog jumped it ad bit the kid and jumped back over. I wanted to know can the parents of the child or the town force us to put down are dog?

tickle · Apr 12, 2007, 02:31 PM

I don't think they can force you to put down the dog, but what normally happens where I live, is the animal control puts the dog in quarantine for three days to see if no rabies present. Are the parents pressing any kind of charge ? If not, don't worry about it, but neither of you can prove anything unless each of you viewed the episode.

shygrneyzs · Apr 12, 2007, 02:32 PM

Yes, the parents can force the issue and so can the police or the city council. Even though your dog was in your yard, fenced in. Even though the child was petting the dog through the fence. Shame on her parents for not teaching her about not approaching an animal that is not her pet. Where is their responsibility? Why does that always have to come to the animal?

From what you say, it is hard to think your dog really bit the child - no marks, no skin breaks. Your dog has no history of anything like that? I hope you are allowed to keep your lab. You may be required to leash her while outside, even inside the fence.

Good luck to you.

Emily94 · Apr 12, 2007, 04:25 PM

She has never bit anyone except when you play rough with her nad then still it isn't hard enough to ever hurt. I read the animal by-law and it said as long as the dog is on the owners property and the owner in no way made the dog attack then the owner nor dog is responsible for his/her actions due to protection of property. I don't no if this would include the kid petting it over the fence because the kid wasn't on the property yet

grandhaiku · Apr 12, 2007, 06:25 PM

If the dog jumped the fence, you are liable for any damages that occurred to the child. Since there are no damages, I would think you are pretty safe. Who witnessed the dog jumping the fence? Just the child or the parents also? Since there are no breaks in the skin, they probably wouldn't quarentine your dog. (Quarentine is a minimum of 14 days.)
By the way, if the dog can jump or reach over the fence, you would be liable for anything the dog does, even if he is on your side of the fence. Control of your dog also means him reaching over the fence to bite someone! You might think about raising your fence. (just a suggestion)

Emily94 · Apr 12, 2007, 06:28 PM

Just the kids(3 of them) witnessed the jumping. Which in the 6 months we had her she has jumped the fence twice nad this time and another when an old er lady called her and she didn't bite the lady so I'm suspecting the kid had to do something to make her bite because anyone can do anythig(almost) and she won't bite! Also she is getting her shots next week how much would they cost(she hasn't had any at all and she is 8months old) we want every shot she can posibbly get.

Fr_Chuck · Apr 12, 2007, 07:20 PM

If the dog bite someone, yes the police can force such actions, Normally if you get your check book out and settle with the parents of the child that was biten the issue may go away ( plus most likely a fine from the city) You will have to provve that the dog has had its shots and they are up to date, they will want to see the vets records, if the animal has not had its shots, it gets a lot more serious and most liekly the dog will be put down.

Also you will need to as noted raise your fence or put something to stop the dog from jumping, since it can jump it at will you have no real idea if it is jumping it on its own or not at will.

** I read your last post, this is going to cause a seroius situation if she has not had its shot, most places have rules that the animal will have to be tested for rabies which normally means putting it down and having it examimed

I don't believe you understand the liability you have on this and the seriousness of the situation. Also this could cause your homeowners insurance to cancell you ot void any animal coverage.

grandhaiku · Apr 13, 2007, 08:18 AM

Not sure where you live but he Fr. Is right. You need to get the dog to the Vet. It should have had it's first Rabies shot at 8 weeks. It will cost you a charge for the visit and exam, 1st Rabies, and the 6 in one shot, (including Parvo vaccine) at a minimum. Then again in one month, again in another month. Again, not sure where you live, but some Vets demand you get your dog on Heartworm. If you decide to try to make the child's parents go away for a nominal fee (most likely that's what they are after since there doesn't seem to be any injury) make sure you get a signed release from them so they can't come back later.

By the way, as a 20 year dog trainer, I would like to give you a little warning... never, never say your dog won't bite or turn on someone. Always suspect and watch.