Beware of dog signs?

Question

Do I have to post "Beware of dog" signs in my unfenced yard? The dog is trained to know her boundries. Also should they be posted on the house (at the door etc.)? Legally?

Answer 1

How about a sign saying "A (whatever breed) lives here"? That way people know there is a dog.

Answer 2

Once again I am going to answer what someone told me. I don't know if this is true or not. It may also be a state by state thing? But, my lawyer and my insurance company told me to NEVER post a BEWARE OF DOG sign. They both recommended a GUARD DOG ON DUTY sign. According to them if you post a beware of dog sign you are stating you already knew the dog was aggressive and capable of inflicting injury on a person. It would leave you liable if the dog bites someone. However, the other sign is a warning and holds up in court as you giving fair notice and therefore not responsible if someone violates it. I don't understand the difference but, that's what I was told. People and especially the courts like to use red tape and twist things.

Answer 3

If you post a sign the police will likely shoot the animal if it is in the yard and they have to respond to any complaint about the dog.
With the increase of irresponsible people keeping vicious dogs to protect their criminal activities, the police don't take chances with dogs anymore.
And you will be held responsible if your dog bites someone even if the dog was provoked.
It doesn't matter if you post a sign warning people or not.
The irresponsible dog owners have successfully ruined it for the people that are responsible.

Answer 4

I was told a few years ago by a police dog trainer that if you have "beware of the dog" signs on you property and the dog bites some one that the signs admit you have a dangerous dog and that makes you instantly liable. The only way you can avoid this is by having signs saying "Entry by appointment only" that way no one has permission to enter you property unless they have cleared it with you first. The signs must be on all your boundaries so no one can say they didn't see them.

Answer 5

Do you have a mean, aggressive dog? If so you need the signs, as there will always be delivery people coming to your house, chidren, census takers, Jehovah Witnesses. Even if you have the signs and your dog bites someone, you will probably be liable for the injuries. Also other dogs may come into your yard and I realize they can read, but if your dog kills other dogs, your dog can be put down and you can be sued for damages. I wouldn't own a dog that bites.

Answer 6

Putting up a sign is your defense in case your dog should bite on your property. Lawsuits happen but the sign is a great way to keep it from happening. I would post it on the house next to your yard.

Answer 7

I think you should, too. Some people are quite phobic of dogs and cannot control their response if they're scared by a dog. If your dog comes to investigate when someone like this comes along, it would be best if you had the signs posted, just in case the peson does something stupid.

Answer 8

It couldn't hurt to put one sign up.

I can tell you that my brother's dog was in a fenced in yard that was posted. The neighbor lady came into the fenced in yard and bent over to pet the dog who had a bone. The dog bit the woman in the breast. My brother was liable even though the yard was fenced and posted. Go figure.

Answer 9

When you post that sign, even on a back fence, it means that you knew the dog was dangerous before it bit or hurt someone.
It points to the fact you knew the dangers and makes you more liable.

Answer 10

It is nice to warn people but in most areas (I don't know what your local laws are) if your dog injures someone you will be held liable even if they were in your yard and they will file a claim against your home owners insurance.