Unless owners of dogs, that kill or injure someone, can prove provocation shouldn't they be jailed?

Question

I think that it should be a condition of owning a dog that the owner assumes all responsibility for what ever that dog does.If the dog kills or injures another person then the owner ,besides paying compensation, should be punished including a jail sentence. Of course,if the dog was provoked, that is, somebody attacked the dog then that would be a different matter but the onus to prove that would be on the owner.

fat boab,you say no but agree with me about bad owners.
CF, if a kid tormented you would you attack him/her with a chainsaw? You must realise that children are entitled to walk the streets and even get up to a bit of mischief without having their face chewed off by a dog. What about a kid climbing over a garden wall to retrieve a ball? Are you saying that if a dog happens to be in the garden it is entitled to tear the the kid to pieces? People like you should think twice before they answer questions.

Answer 1

Yes, cause some breed of dogs have killing breed into them and down their line. Some people don't want to believe it. But, why would a dog turn on its owner when they've been good to them? I know a lady that had a large pincher and treated it like a baby and out of the blue one morning it attacked her and she ended up dieing from the attack.

Answer 2

I think all owners should be held responsible aggression in their animals, with the exception being a provoked or truly accidental bite. If an owner lets their dog run loose or have no control over it or brings a potentially dangerous animal out in public they are responsible. The same goes for any injury to invited guests in their homes. However if the owner has taken proper precautions and someone chooses to ignore these (trespassing, a fenced yard, Beware of Dog signs, etc) then I think that person is responsible for what happens to themselves. People need to be held accountable for their own actions- even children.

I disagree with the whole “kids will be kids attitude” because I think that is just as irresponsible of attitude as people with out of control dogs. Kids need to be taught to be respectful of the law and other people’s property. If the excuse is given that the kids are not old enough to understand this then my thoughts are that the child is not old enough to be unsupervised.

The example of comparing dog bites to an adult choosing to attack a chainsaw is flawed, because a human’s reasoning and morals cause them to respond in ways we deem more acceptable. A dog that is a fear biter might see the same situation and instinctually only see danger and feel it needs to protect itself. Trying to compare a human response to an animal is like comparing apples to oranges, and perhaps should be considered before insulting the logic of others.

Answer 3

Yes they should! I have 14 dogs including a Pitbull and 2 Rottweilers. I am very responsible with them, they are NEVER left outside unattended. I never let them off leash when we go somewhere, I won't let anyone come up and pet my dogs at the park, etc.
If you own a large breed dog then you are responsible for the dogs safety, and the safety of everyone that it comes into contact with. We need to stop blaming certain breeds of dogs for these attacks and put the blame where it belongs...on the irresponsible owners!

Answer 4

I think the recent attack on the baby should be a lesson to all dog owners. Humans don't hear what animals can, and sometimes sounds and behaviour can drive them mad. I think all people, whether parents or singles, need to be aware that animals have their own minds and any contact between humans and animals should be treated carefully.

It is not the owners, or animals fault, and it is best to keep dogs and other animals under close supervision when with children.

Answer 5

I am a true believer that a dog is only as good as it's owner/master. Like some children grow up to be horrible disrespectful teenagers and adults, so do dogs. Teach them well, give them love, attention, food etc and they should be well adjusted. If we are held responsible for our children, then yes we should be held responsible for our dogs

Answer 6

Not usually. Unless it can be proven that the dog was known to be vicious and the owner knew it and did nothing about it. Only in rare cases will an owner be charged with the death. There was a well publicized case in San Francisco a few years ago where a woman was killed by her neighbor's 2 presa canarios. The owners were charged in that case.

Answer 7

I think that might be going a bit far. I was bitten on the face and neck as a teenager by an Alscation (dammit how do you spell Alsation/Alsatien/Al - German Shephard) crossed with Rodesian Ridgeback. I sued as it was a guard dog on too long a leash and got quite a pay out. I only agreed to go ahead with legal action if it could be promised the dog would not be destroyed - as it was not really in the wrong. I'm still scarred a bit by my mouth - it just missed ripping my throat out.

Answer 8

no because EVERY dog has it in it to bite. Even some of your little house dog breeds will bite for no reason and can injure someone. You can NEVER say that your dog will not bite someone and never injure someone... it is an animal, and you can never tell what it is thinking... I was bit by a poodle and it looked like I was bit by some big "mean breed of dog... and all I did was walk across the floor of the kitchen...

Answer 9

I do believe they go to court in front of a judge. However with all the overcrowding unless it was an intentional attack useing the dogs as a weapon they are only going to be fined and dogs confiscated. If you have one dog that attacks it is possible for them to take all of your dogs.

Mine don't attack but it takes a lot of convincing to get someone to walk in the door.

Answer 10

yes i agree with you.i own a staffordshire bull terrier and i am a responsible owner.he is let off the lead when no animals or people are around but he is trained that as soon as i see someone or an animal he lays down and lets me put his lead back on.i love my dog and trust him with me,but i would never trust him with fully with others as no dog can ever be fully trusted.he is a great family dog but i know he has the potential to cause alot of damage and i would never take that risk. x