A dog that we adopted from the SPCA recently attacked my son, and left him with deep cuts and a broken arm from a fall during the attack. Needless to say that I was outraged and appalled. What legal action can I take against the SPCA?
2007-01-18 17:17:53 · 7 answers · asked by Aidan 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Not much . . . if you look through your adoption paperwork, you will find the disclaimer. All adoption information is based on the information they get from those who dropped off the animal and in the case of strays, they do go through behavioral testing prior to be putting up for adoption. The behavior test is for aggression in general (how do they react to the 'hand that feeds them'). The terminology will be something along the lines of 'does not knowingly misrepresent any animal's age, condition of health or temperament'. Your only recourse would be to exchange the pet if it is within a reasonable amount of time and if the shelter agrees to that.
Not to lessen the severity of the situation, but was this an unprovoked attack? It is rare (but does happen) that an animal attacks for no reason. If this was during 'play time' you cannot consider it an attack, the dog would have just been playing but got out of hand. If this was an aggressive attack, what were the circumstances that led up to it? Either something startled the dog or the dog felt threatened or was injured himself.
Again, I don't mean to seem rude, but no matter what the situation, children should ALWAYS be supervised around animals, no matter the animal (rat, dog, cat, horse, you name it).
2007-01-18 17:37:55 · answer #1 · answered by bluefish787 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would urge you to reconsider that course of action...I know you must be very angry and upset, however I'm sure that there was no intentional misguidance on the part of the SPCA. They are simply trying to find good homes for animals that have none. Unless this dog had a history of violence that the SPCA hid from you, I would beg that you find some forgiveness in your heart. This country is so sue happy, that I think we lose sight of if the defendent really DESERVES to be sued. Was the SPCA really negligent, or responsible for the actions of a dog?
2007-01-22 22:44:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did they indicate that the dog was good with children before you adopted him?
If so, i would definitely file a complaint, but also really evaluate the situation that caused the dog to get aggressive, as I am sure you will have to answer a million questions when going through the process. Also, before you go too crazy, i'd take a look at the paper work you recieved when you adopted the dog. It might say they are not responsible for any behavioral or health problems with the dog.
2007-01-19 01:22:58 · answer #3 · answered by Dr25 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you contacted them with this information...They should have checked the animal for aggression before letting the animal get adopted...Because they should have know like cases like these can happen...They usually make tests on the dogs to see if there is aggression with food or such...Contact them at once & tell them to explain what can be done because as their duty they should check an animal before adopting it...Usually they put the animal to sleep if it is too agressive.
GOOD LUCK!!
2007-01-19 01:27:17 · answer #4 · answered by lilangel_purple@yahoo.com 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot take any legal action against the SPCA because it is not their dog. You may take action against the owner, in this case its YOU. you may sue yourself or just shut up and go on with life.
2007-01-19 01:23:51 · answer #5 · answered by elayas 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Were you told that the dog had no behavioral problems when you adopted him? If that's what you were told, I'm sure there is something you can do...Sorry about your situation
2007-01-19 01:25:50 · answer #6 · answered by jeg2315 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate to say this but aren't dogs supposed to get put to sleep if they draw blood ? Sorry.
2007-01-19 01:22:37 · answer #7 · answered by greythound crazy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋