My boyfriend is mad at me because I should have done more than call the police?

Question

I Saw my next door neighbour 3 year old get attacked by their pet Rottweiler so i called the police immediately and the police showed up right away....Thank god.....But my boyfriend thinks i should have jumped over the fence and or something like that I only weigh 115 lbs and he(my soon to be ex boyfried) is 205 lbs and he doesn't understand because he was not there and that dog was at least 135lbs.... who is wrong/

The 3 year old boy is alright he had 5 stitches and the neighbours refuse to put the dog down

Answer 1

No one knows what they would do in that situation unless it happens to them. Frankly, I think only if it was your own child would most people run without thinking to fight off a vicious dog. I think I would have done exactly the same as you, your boyfriend is being cruel to make you feel guilty for your instinctive reaction. We'd all like to be movie-style heros but real life doesn't work that way, if you had run in you might even have made the situation worse. You did take action - you called the police. The boy is ok. I wonder what would have happend if your boyfriend was in the same situation. It's easy to talk tough ... I'm glad he's soon to be ex, he should be comforting you for what must have been a terrifying experience.

P.S. The neighbours are insane for refusing to put the dog down, is there any way you can let the police know of your concerns? Surely they'll prosecute the owners?

Answer 2

He is wrong.

I only work in kg, so I don't get the pounds thing, but if you think you would not have been able to take on the dog then you did do the right thing just to call the police. However, if you thought you could have taken on the dog, you should have tried to after calling the police.

Some people just don't get it though, they think you should put your life on the line even when there is a very good chance you couldn't do anything to help and possibly even make things worse.

I hope the girl is OK. If you get any news on how she is, could you let us all know before the question closes by adding any info to your question.

You did do the right thing. I hope its not haunting you too much.

Answer 3

He's wrong. You were right to keep your distance and call the police. Big mean dogs are dangerous! So are guys who get mad when you make your own decisions. So, you are right also--in my opinion-- to have second thoughts about the relationship. This guy sounds controlling, which can be a warning sign of a potential abuser. Do you really want to be with someone who judges you and gets angry for something that's not really his business?

Answer 4

I think its a matter of instinct. With the recent case down south with the 2 year old the neighbour hit the dog over the head with a hammer which did save the childs life. He was commended for his quick thinking. I dont know if there is much you could have done given the short a time an attack happens. Your adrenline kicks in and you do as your instint says.

I hope the child is ok.

Answer 5

I think you did what was right, you could have been seriosly injured by the dog had you jumped in. I hope that dog was put down. Why people own dogs that are notoriously mean, I don't know. You can't teach some breeds to be nice. That is just what they are, no one can change it. Some cities have banned Rotwiellers and pit bulls for this reason. I also hope that the dog owners are charged with negligence and child endangerment..

I hope that the child is okay.

Answer 6

Actually the neighbours have no choice in the matter if you called the police the dog will be put down or your neighbours will face prosecution under the law.either dangerous dogs act or child abuse.not just asking questions for the sake of it are we?
If the police were called they are not doing there job.

Answer 7

you did the right things. It would have probably been stupid but yet herioc to go after. The thing that makes me wonder. why didn't he jump the fence. The police will make him put the dog down. Or they'll go to court and they'll have to pay the fine and put the dog to sleep apartly the dog is not trained well.

I have a friend who has 4 rotties and they are big babies, well actually they think there human. it really depends on how they are trained and treated.

Answer 8

Your boyfriend is wrong. Under no circumstances should you have put yourself directly in harm's way.

However, you should have done more than call the police and watch. You should have gone outside and screamed for help from a safe place, trying to get the whole neighborhood's attention. You could have knocked on neighbor's doors. If you had any weapons, even something simple like a hose, you could have tried to get the dog off the boy from a safe place.

Answer 9

I think that its impossible to decide what was the right thing to do from outside of the actual situation. You were there, he wasn't, you made the best decision you could at the time and he should support you in that.

He should be grateful that he has the kind of girlfriend who notices these things and takes action - there are a horrifc number of people that would have done nothing.

You should be proud of yourself for what you did - kick him to the curb indeed.

Answer 10

Your boyfriend is wrong. Hes nuts if he thinks you could have done anything else. The dog could have attacked you too. I realize the child was getting attacked, but what good is it going to do if the dog is attacking you too, once you get over that fence?

I guess ppl will have different views on this question, but thats just my opinion.