My dog is VERY protective of me. I live in a shared house with one of my friends and 2 other males. One of the males has been very aggressive and threatened me more than once. He's also been violent.
Normally my dogs the most placid thing you'll ever come across but when this guy threatens me he's a totally different dog.
IF he ever bit this guy it would be in my defence and would be in our house, so not on public land. I can also prove he's been threatening and I have police reports against him.
Where would I stand?
2007-12-06 08:18:01 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I can't move out. It's a student house and I signed a contract for a year, so I'm stuck here till September as I can't afford rent on two houses!
2007-12-06 08:26:01 · update #1
Breach of contract... but what's the choice? Living on the streets?
2007-12-06 08:32:03 · update #2
The next time this guy acts threatening or aggressive towards you, call the Police.
When the Police arrive, tell them that your dog is trying to protect you, and that this guy has been threatening you for some time.
Every time this person threatens you, call the Police and do the same thing.
That way if your dog does bite him, you will have some type of record established of his aggressive behavior towards you.
Additionally, you and your other roommate can evict this person.
2007-12-06 08:47:18 · answer #1 · answered by CGIV76 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Laws in the UK are very different
An offence is committed by the owner and, if different, the person in charge at the time, if a dog is dangerously out of control in a PUBLIC PLACE. If the dog injures someone whilst out of control an aggravated offence is committed.
Therefore you will not be criminally responsible for your dog bitting someone in its/your home as the dog will treat the house as its domain, it is in its nature to defend its area and you.
Thought althought you may not be criminally responsible for your dog bitting your flatmate in the house in the UK, they would still be able to take you to a civil court to get compenstation for injuries or/and a court order ro have the dog removed if the dog is deemed unsafe by the courts.
2007-12-07 20:06:08 · answer #2 · answered by mafiaboss_nz 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Seriously, you would have a good chance of losing your dog, depending on the laws in your area. Animal control laws seldom recognize provocation or "self-defense" -- a dog that bites is labelled dangerous, and in many areas will be put down.
If I were you, I'd get that guy out of the house, or move myself, rather than take the chance.
2007-12-06 16:24:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ya have to have a written complaint, (with witnesses being a HUGE help) that the dog was only protecting you, and even then....it's iffy.
I'd actually call an attorney and get their input. Most have a free first consultation.
2007-12-06 16:51:40 · answer #4 · answered by Tira A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs can not claim self defense. You could be liable.
Being in your own home is not a defense to an aggressive dog.
2007-12-06 16:21:42 · answer #5 · answered by trooper3316 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
legally if an animal is acting in self-defence and you can prove this (which the previous incidents go a long way towards) then the animal or the owner are not culpable
2007-12-06 16:31:54 · answer #6 · answered by vdv_desantnik 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Would you rather be in breach of contract, or have your dog put down after it hurts this guy?
2007-12-06 16:29:49 · answer #7 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋