My dog bit someone in public!!?

Question

My dog attacked someone in public it was dark and i was down an alley way going home from a walk by the river, my dog was not muzzled and a man walked towards me he put his hand out to stroke the dog despite my efforts to stop the dog getting to close and my dog grabbed his wrist leaving 3 puncture wounds and a lot of blood before i could think about what was happening the dog went mental and grabbed the mans leg eventually i pulled the dog off him, the man said he wouldnt get the police involved because he is a dog owner himself and would hate to see the dog put down and told me i HAD to get the dog muzzled which i have now but im still shocked.

My boyfriend also shouted at me for being to soft on the dog, but i love the dog hes my baby (2yr old Male labrador) my boyfriend said i have to grow up and the dog should be taught a lesson because hes not just a pet hes a "Dangerous animal" i dont know what to do any advice on the situation would be helpful.

Just so people know i live in england chances are he gets free treatment, unless he always goes private, my dog was on a lead , a short one as well.
He has never bitten before and obeys commands, when i said he was my baby i meant i love him and dont want him to get hurt and strongly believe he was protecting me.

Answer 1

i think ur dog was being protective....
it was dark probably making ur dog more sensitive....
it's also probably the man's fault because you didn't want the man to touch yer dog... yet he did....
i think that ur bf was being mean calling ur sweet dog a dangerous animal :/
hmm... iono what about ur situation but... just.... hmm.. iono...
;(

Answer 2

If this is the first case of your dog biting someone I would say the dog was being protective especially since it was dark outside the stranger could have startled him. However you are lucky that the man didn't want to get the police involved. If he knows who you are and where you live I would not be too surprised if he came back to you and asked that you pay his medical bills, dog bites usually require some stitches and a trip to the emergency room if it was night time. I don't know what kind of a lesson your BF wants to teach the dog but I think that a muzzle would be a good idea for future walks especially at night. Either that or keep the lead closer to you while you walk to keep more control on the dog. The make leashes that go around the dogs head so when the dog pulls his head will be pulled down to the ground which may help if he tries to do this again. I would not be worried about the incident too much at this point but if it happens again I would be more cautious you don't want your baby to be put to sleep.

Answer 3

Trickster 19 is absolutely correct. People here are dispensing wrong, absolute crap advice and could get someone into trouble. First of all, why and how did the dog bite someone, first in the arm and then in the leg? What were you doing when that happened? And what kind of crap is that with the guy being nice and not getting the police involved? I am sure he had to have medical attention, just to make sure that he did not contract rabies or an infection, at the very least, the hospital would have wanted to know more info about the dog and the incident to advice animal control. If this incident did indeed take place the only thing that it tells me is that you have a fear biter and that you have no control over a dog that has serious issues and you don't want to either, because he is "your baby". When your baby bites someone and that person does report you, you will find out what happens to these "babies" when their owners refuse to have control over them.
As the owner of several working dogs, malinois, shepherds and labs, I am disgusted by the actions of your dog and your attitude about the whole thing. Working dog handlers work hard to make sure their dogs NEVER, EVER bite someone without a damn good reason, work hard to make sure their dogs are not the ones that contribute to the evening news about a dog out of control terrorizing people. Do something about that dog, other then call him your "baby".

Answer 4

The dog needs to be neutered if he is not and need strict obedience training. Find an good obed. class and work with a pinch collar so you have control. I assume you had the dog leashed already but if not he needs to be leashed at all times. Babying a dog will ruin it resulting in the dog being euthanized as no shelter or rescue will take a dog that has bitten. Use the No Free Lunch method right away and the dog needs no more babying, he needs a leader. Otherwise you will be responsible for his fate. If you allow the dog to be spoiled and he be the boss than you are killing him. My dogs sleep on the bed, the couch, have a zillion toys and eat people food but when I say a command they obey as they know I am Alpha. Dogs do not want to be boss they want to be part of a stable pack and not have to worry about taking care of everything.

Answer 5

I totally disagree that the dog was being protective. If it was a Malinois or a German Shepherd with a weak nerve on the end of the lead, maybe, but it was a Labrador Retriever. As the owner of three Labs I can tell you now that this breed never is and never will be "protective". Your dog was reacting out of fear. Confident, well socialized dogs with stable temperaments do not bite.

Where did you get your dog from and how much socialization has he had?

I strongly suggest you get in contact with a behaviorist. In the mean time, keep your dog on a lead AT ALL TIMES and muzzle it while out in public. As a biter your dog must be muzzled. People will assume that all Labradors are friendly and will try to approach him. You don't want a repeat of what happened so muzzle him for his own protection.

Answer 6

You are very lucky that the man your Labrador bit was an animal lover! I hope you had your dog on a leash! Labrador Retrievers are usually excellent companion dogs. Look at it from the dog's perspective: the dog was only doing his job, which is to protect you from strangers (not an easy task). Protect your dog and yourself here on in. Use the muzzle when you are out walking your dog (on a leash). And take your Labrador Retriever to OBEDIENCE CLASSES! The local SPCA can direct you to free classes (or low cost) in your community.

Answer 7

Be thankful it wasnt a child. You should be able to handle your dog on a lead. Training would be helpful for you and the dog. A stranger should never put his hand out to any dog, but you would still be liable for his medical treatment. If your dog is not current with a rabies vaccine, and the man gets treated for his dog bites, the county may require a 10 day bite confinement at a shelter. Training is your answer, the dog should always follow you, the master, in your commands

Answer 8

The person who said Labs are not protective breeds is full of sh*t. I had a lab for 15 years, since I was 3. About the year before he died, my boyfriend came over, without knocking. Note that my dog knew my boyfriend well and adored him. My dog knocked him over and was in his face growling by the time I heard the noise and stopped him. Later on that night, he was licking Joe and snuggling up with him.

He never once bit someone, but he also never allowed strange people to approach me. Fortunately, people listened to me when I said not to touch him immediately. He warmed up quickly and was truly a sweet dog - I miss him horribly - but I have no doubt he would have killed someone if they had tried to hurt me.

Answer 9

The dog thought the man was a threat to you and he was protecting you. Who knows he could have been a rapist or something and the dog sensed that he was not a nice person. That may be why he didn't want to call the police. I would do as you suggest and muzzle the dog when he is in puvlic or you ,ay end up with a big lawsuit.

Answer 10

i understand that you dont want to dicipline your dog however its much easier doing this rather than having him put down if he attcks the wrong person! Just try some obedience techniques! And he's not dangerous!probably more misunderstood! i was attacked by a blue cattle dog as a child and im now afraid of big dogs that i dont know! I just believe u need to teach him that its not ok! talk to the vet and see what he thinks

Answer 11

I don',t agree with your boyfriend I have a chow and a mixed puppy if someone came up to me in the dark and tried to touch either me or my dog my chow would also grab the person(he's done it)but you can train the dog to grab and not draw blood that is a must! if you can't do it it is worth taking him to a trainer No matter what your dog will always be in the wrong if blood is drawn even if it is protecting you
I say you have a great dog and it shows by it protecting you