My dog was attacked, need advise?

Question

My Eskie was attacked tonight by 2 Irish Wolfhounds and an Akita. It was horrific and I honestly didn't think she would survive, as they were quite obviously out to kill. It took 3 men to wrestle down the three large dogs and get them away from mine. My dog is now in the hospital with several deep tear wounds and a very deep laceration on the neck. I of course want justice and would like to know how I can handle these other dogs. Anyone know how about laws against vicious dogs? How to put a record on these dogs...? I really don't know where to begin. By the way, so far the other owner is being compliant.

P.S. This happened at a public park and all dogs involved were on leashes

Answer 1

well if the other owner is being compliant and payingfor the vet nills i would do much more . most people would just lie and say that your dog atacted them. but if you really want to take it even fahter you can call the cops about the other owner not keeping there dogs on a leash or in a controled area. but the pinalty would most likey be to have the dogs put down. do you really want that for the other person if there are helping out ????

Answer 2

If you didn't already call the police and get a report. Get names and numbers of all witnesses so that you have it for later should you need it.
Get the number of the local animal control center and call them. and ask what your rights are as a dog owner. I often don't advocate getting a lawyer but you might need one. Ask the police and they may know more. If you're lucky you'll get one who actually wants to help. Dogs get into fights all the time, so the law isn't always too involved in such things, but in this case it sounds like these dogs were unattended. If your dog was on a leash and these dogs were just wondering around then the owners are liable 100 percent. But even if they were on a leash you still have certain rights since they were unable to control their dogs.
The owners may be compliant now but people have a way of becoming A holes so that's why it's important to have anything and everything on record. In fact, write up a short summary of everything that happened and print it out just so everything is remembered correctly. Time has a way of altering our memories or simply just losing them.
I'm sorry about your dog and hope she will be okay.

Answer 3

Here's where to begin ... by explaining how it is that these four dogs were in a place of common.

Okay then, since it happened in a public park and all dogs were leashed, then perhaps the best you can hope for is that the owners of the other dogs remain cooperative - spliting the damages 4 ways (25%) equally. (Now read this carefully) Unless your are saying that this one owner was trying to manage two Wolfhounds and an Akita 'single handedly.'

The reason that is important is that you could probably argue that it is not prudent for one person to be in a public place with that many large dogs without help. In which case he should probably pay all your expenses.

As to wanting to 'put a record' on these dogs ... that ain't cool, man ... really bad karma.

Answer 4

The laws on "dangerous dogs" differ from county to county and state to state. The best thing you can do is to contact the Sheriff's office and the animal control office. You can call the Sheriff's tonight but you'll have to wait until tomorrow to call the animal control. Don't call 911, but call the regular number listed on the phone book. More than likely, they will dispatch the officer to you on non-emergency basis and someone will come to see you, then take your statement. They will advise you on what steps you need to take.

In the United States, dogs and cats (and all pets for that matter) are considered "property." All you can get back is the cost of medical treatment and the "cost" of the animal. Keep this in mind if you are considering a lawsuit.

I am hoping your dog makes it and recover. I'm sorry this has happened to you.

I am simply appalled that some people thought it was fun to leave careless comments at the beginning of this thread.

Answer 5

You should report the event to your local law enforcement and animal control agencies. Also, take clear pictures of the injuries, keep all veterinary bills you incur, contact any witnesses and ask them to write down their recollections of the events (consider notarizing their statements).

You should contact the owner of the Wolfhounds to report the level of injury suffered by your dog. Present the photos and let him/her know the Eskie is hospitalized. Be very clear in asking the other owner to assume financial responsibility for the medical costs. Make sure he/she gets a copy of all related medical costs. Any contact with the other owner should probably be in writing and sent with a receipt notification to you so you have proof of delivery. If the owner refuses to pay, you can pursue a case in court. Using the small claims system might mean you won't get full payment (the bills may exceed your states small claims limits) but you won't have the additional costs of an attorney.

Good luck...I hope your pooch is feeling better soon!

Answer 6

well find out if your state or town has a dog leash, and if the dogs were on a leash. find out other dog laws in your state/town/area and see if any were violated. i feel awful for you. i own two akitas, who are both very gentle..but some akitas definately do not have good tempers. and akitas have incredibly strong jaws! i just feel awful for you and i hope your dog is ok. if the owners of the other dogs are being compliant maybe they would agree to help pay for your dog's treatment.

Answer 7

You need to contact the local Animal Control office. You can probably wait to do it first thing tomorrow morning and a report will be filed with them. They will probably start an investigation and possibly put the dogs in the pound to check for temperment, etc. depending on the results of an investigation they may be put down.

Good Luck! I hope your dog gets well soon!

Answer 8

If you know who the owner is, you're golden. A lawyer can tell you how to proceed. Important note: regardless of how compliant the owner is, DO NOT try and do any settling by yourself. Get a lawyer and do it the legal way.

Good Luck, and best wishes for the recovery of your dog.

Answer 9

I would report the attack to the police. They would take the dogs to the pound to be euthanized and the owner would be fined. But thats where I live, might be different where you are but we realize here that instead of a dog it could easily have been a 4 year old child.

Answer 10

As far as I know, if his dogs are a threat to another human or animal, you can fight to have them put down. You can definitely sue the other owner for damages. If he is already paying them though, you wouldn't be able to. You would probably have to make a report to your local animal control and it would probably end up in court if he fights to keep them.