serious help please?

Question

i am going to an informal hearing tommorrow to find whether my dog is vicious or not. he has never done anything before and was provoked into biting someone. what other points should i make to the panel? anything will help. thanks.

Answer 1

I would give exact details on how he was provoked, and how much damage he did. He could have been being harassed and was just showing self defense. Their only way of self defense is to run or bite.

Answer 2

Reassert that the dog has never been cited for aggressive behavior in the past. If you have children, make sure to add that he is around kids every day and has never hurt them. Also mention if he's gone to dog parks or doggie daycare, anywhere that he has to interact with dogs and people. Mention any obedience classes or canine good citizenship training he's attended. Avoid making emotional statements; I know this is your baby, but the judge wants to know what's best for the community, not for you. If you have a strong fence in the back yard, mention that as well. Bring his vet records, and assure the judge that he has been properly vaccinated against rabies and other diseases. Just try to find all the points you can make to prove that your dog is well behaved and friendly, and that you are a responsible dog owner. And do not lie! The judge knows all the facts already. If the dog was off a leash, don't try to lie and say he was on a leash. Just be honest.

Describe the incident in detail, but again without sentimentality. Just tell him in plain English what the person was doing that provoked him into biting.

Typically, if it was only a bite and not a vicious attack or killing, the dog will not be confiscated or euthanized. You may be required to keep him in your home or on a leash at all times, not to take him in public areas, or to put a muzzle on him in public areas. YOU MUST adhere to whatever the judge orders you to do! Violation of any terms he gives you can reverse the judgement and cause you to lose your dog, so be very careful and make sure you understand what he is telling you to do.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Describe in detail how the dog was provoked. If the dog was on your property, then explain that dogs have a strong sense of loyalty and territory and possibly felt that the provoker was a threat to him, you, or the homestead. Also, bring up what a fantastic pet he has been and the fact that he has never done this before. Describing the provoking is the absolute most important thing here, though. That puts the person who did it at fault, not the dog.

I hope everything turns out well. I HATE it when people blame animals for things. Good luck!

Answer 4

If the dog was provoked and on your property, give all the details of what led to the biting. Also, a statement from your vet that biting had not ever occured before might be helpful. Where do you live and what type of dog do you have? Who did he bite?

Answer 5

Dependong on the breed of the dog, the people are going to judge you first of all. For example Pit bulls have a bad name. Stress how long you have owned yor dog without incident. Judges also like paper copies to show your case... anything that you can have in writing will help you, vet bills and vaccination records showing your dog is up to date on everything. Chances are if this is the first time, you have nothing to worry about. I guess it also depends on how bad the bite is. Good luck!

Answer 6

I would hate to be in your shoes!
This may not help as you do not have much time, but if your dog has a regular vet, most times notes about the animal are written in the file. I would call the clinic explain what is happening and ask for a copy of your file. (It's yours you CAN have a copy) If it does not say in there anything about the dog being aggressive it may help somewhat as the veterinarian is an expert.
Don't know what else to suggest... sorry.

Answer 7

Did the attack occur on your property? If so do you have signs posted? BEWARE OF DOG. Was your dog running in the neighborhood? Makes a world of difference. Does he have an enclosed yard? Did he get out by accident? I ask only because we had a German Shepard....trained to guard. A repairman entered and he was bitten. Long story short....We paid for the medical, we didn't have a sign on the fence, and Skipper was summarily euthanized. Sad but true.

Answer 8

If your dog is a full breed, info on that particular breed would/could be of help. How you have trained him, how long you have had him, witnesses if you are allowed. Evidence of good health care (shots up to date paperwork). Situations where the dogs has been around people and not acted aggressively (witness).

How bad did he bite somebody? He must be there for a reason. Good Luck.

Answer 9

omg! I'm going thru the EXACT THING....just a bit more exciting. okay ready 4 a long story?

my mom, me, and my 4 year old bro went onto vacation for 2 weeks. my dad was home taking care of the dog. then 2 days b4 we were coming back my dad came to the vacation spot to see us. but b4 he left he put 3 different bowls of food and water in the backyard in case he knocks 1 bowl over. then...we have a pool that is less than 1 feet deep that is full of water if he gets too hot and need to go swim. Then...back at our vacation my mom got worried about the dog. she was about to call our neighbor to feed the dog when i knew my dad thought of every possible way our dog could and die and solved the problem. i told mom not to call. she was stupid and she called them anyway. well,, the neighbor asked their son to go do it. the neighbor didn't know we weren't home...but since hes feeding the dog he knows now. and i know he likes to tease our dog and i always beat the kid up with a stick...(hes 13 and im 13)..literally, i beat the kid up whenever i catch him doing that. anyway...we also had a wooden picnic table. when we came back we saw that out picnic table looked like some1 sawed some of the wood off. anyway......the kid probably tried to beat my dog up and my dog was going to attack him. the kid got scared and ran away. but now the backyard gate is open. my dog runs after the kid...and scratches him...we come back and the police tell us that they couldn't catch our dog and couldn't even shoot him. they also claim that my dog tried 2 attack them but i dont believe it. they said my dog attacked the kid when the mom came up to us and the police and said it was a scratch. the police tried to arrest her for "false witness" but come on....its her own kid......she wouldn't try to help us unless it was the truth. so now my dad's fighting a court case and we moved DOUBLT TIME>...i mean really...we moved in 2 weeks. we WILL NOT WATSOEVER give the dog up so we have to move b/c the police keep knocking on the door asking if we have our dog. well,, my dog knows whats going on. he runs into the garage and into the insulation wall and i cover him up whenever he sees that police car (he knows that they're the guys that tried to kill him b/c he saw them chasing him--dogs are smart) and then i tell them hes not there. i think the police are recording me b/c that guy keeps fiddling with his pen so the clip is looking straight at me. we also had to move because my dog is a Pit Bull/Boxer and hes big.. and i need 2 walk him...but our other neighbor is reallly trying to nail us down. hes the 1 who calls the police if he sees our dog. we cant talk 2 our neighbors because i spied the police talking to them and they were trying to get info about our dog (i have that spying kit with the hearing thing so i can hear things really far.) so now weve moved over an hour away and im at 1 of the best schools in the state! we also got a cheaper rent 2 w/ more space! and many ppl from my church are going to that school so I know a whole bunch of ppl! God has his ways of doing things!

so now im waiting for the court case 2 be over so that i can neuter myy dog.. i cant neuter my dog when the court case is still on because i said that we dont have my dog but if they look thru files in which dogs were neutered and stuff...so when the court case is over...we're safe and i can talk to my friends at my old neighborhood.

the police want to make sure my dog doesn't have rabies...but i dont trust 'em. police arent always good. i can already see my dog doesn't have rabies cuz hes calm and he doesn't have any change in behavior and hes still the loving dog that we;ve always had.. and the police might inject rabies.....POLICE AREN'T ALWAYS UR FRIENDS...I LEARNED THAT NOW.

MY POINT IS...DONT GIVE UP. fight for it.

Answer 10

my brother has a dog w ur same situation....my bro set a camera and caught our neighbors provoking our dog....in your case bring family or kids as witnesses to show / tell how they were never attacked by your dog...srry that you have to go through it.