My dog attacked another dog...?

Question

In September, my dog got out of my yard (my sister's bf left the gate open and I didn't know), and attacked another dog. The whole incident was about 15 seconds, as I saw my dog running out the gate and a man walking his dog. My dog heard me yell his name and ran right back into the yard, AFTER my dog bit the dog once on the head. I was upset, the man left, I called the Humane Society, I'm assuming he did as well. They never showed up for any sort of investigation, I've called twice since Sept. I'm not sure what to do because I don't know where this man lives, I only see him walking his dog occasionally. Every time he sees me he screams at me and makes me cry (I know, I'm a frigging baby). Anyway, I feel terrible about what happened. My dog loves humans, but hates other dogs. I walk him with a muzzle and leash. He's 8 years old, this is an isolated incident. This guy wants my dog put down, and I'm living in frigging turmoil because the dumb Humane Society isn't doing their job.

My question: I know I'm in the wrong, but does this guy have any right to harass me so many months after the incident? I don't know where he lives, but even if I did I'm too scared to go to his house because he's a somewhat aggressive man (from what I can tell being screamed at)!

In my city, in Ontario, the Lincoln County Humane Society deals with these issues. They advied me an investigator would stop by more than once, no one came.

Thanks for the answers everyone. To my knowledge, the man didn't take his dog to the vet, so I can't offer to pay the bills, which I definately would! And I obviously know he can walk his dog wherever he wants :) Yes, my dog is male, he's 8 yrs, great with adults/kids/cats/squirrels/little dogs etc., just not BIG dogs, which is why I muzzle and leash him-he's big.

Answer 1

Good for you for contacting the humane society first. If this guy hasn't done anything like reported it to the police then there is nothing he can do to make you put your dog down.
If he still continues to scream at you and make you upset, then what I would do is write a letter down when your not upset and have a clear head. And when you see him hand him the letter and walk away. If he still continues after that then I would make a complaint to the police about the harassment, and they would hopefully do an investigation.

Answer 2

What? Of course he has no right to harass you!! Call the police!! They will stop this immediately. You were in the wrong, but unless this guy has some documentation, something I would definitely just give him a big **** you. BTW why were you upset?? Why are you calling the humane society?

Now, about your dog. Since he has bitten now, some areas would consider him a DANGEROUS dog, where you have to pay a yearly fine and keep him contained a certain way. If it has not gone this far, for the sake fo your dog, I would see a behaviorist immediately!!! It is unacceptable for your dog to "hate" anything and muzzling him is just making the problem worse.

Answer 3

First do not approach that man! If you were contrite and said I'm sorry the first time you saw him after the incident, then you have done all you need to do. Second, under no circumstance would the animal control delay even one day responding to a dog bite complaint. That just doesn't happen - they would have been at your front door immediately if he had reported the incident. And if he hasn't reported it yet, there must be a reason. Maybe he has a record or something. So relax, oh and watch the dog whisperer on TV. He's great - it may help you.

Answer 4

We had a similar situation with one of our dogs. He lashed out when another dog snapped at me in the dog park. Depending on your state, the laws may be different. In CA they are pretty clear. I have great websites if you need any also.
1-Congrats on being a RESPONSIBLE dog owner. You realized what happened and took the appropriate actions.
2-Remember that your dog had accidentally, at no fault of yours, gotten out of the yard but was under direct voice control.
3-Log every incident between you and this man. You have two courses of action. You can attempt to handle it civily or let the police handle it. If you want to attempt it first, write a letter to him. Professionally...and ask him to politely stop harassing you. Keep a copy for yourself and have someone else deliver it to him. It may be good to have it mailed to his house and send it certified. This way there is a record that he got it. Otherwise, you can call the police and report him for harassment.
4- What is he mad about? Did he take his dog to the vet? Does he want money? If he made no police report then he has 1 year from the date of the incident to take you to small claims court for restitution. If he did make a report he has 2 years.
5-Most states have no dog bite dog laws. If they do they are minimal. There was no neglect on your part, which saves you. The only time a dog can be forced to be put down is if it bites a human.
6-The Humane Society has limited responsibility in this case. It is not their job to interview you or him and get in the middle of something. This was not their jurisdiction. It did not happen on their property and it is not a case of animal cruelty.

Answer 5

No, he has no right to harass you. That's actually not legal.

It's animal control that should be called, not the Humane Society. In most communities, they are separate... law enforcement, vs. actual animal care and adoption. Double check that the right place was called.

There must be some way to find out where he lives. Have someone you know follow him on a walk (at a distance, of course) and see. Then, write a letter offering to pay the vet bill and mail it to him. Clearly, you want to do the right thing, and really, what more can anyone expect?

Answer 6

It was a accedent,, you have done and taken the approperate steps to not only make sure this mans dog was ok, but also regulating your dogs behavior,,
unfortunaly you can never be 100% sure this may not happen again,, and have chosen to take resposibilty,, but he does have a legitimate concern for his dogs welfare too,, and depending on this incident, and previous history,, may have a legitimate request for having the dog distroyed.. although the humane society would you think have officaly come to you to address this,, only the legal athorities can rule to have the dog put down..
If he is harrasing you,, tell him so,, tell him the what happened,, tell him what steps you are taking to ensure HIS dog is safe,, it might help, it may just be best to keep your dog under control,, and avoid the man.. because he is very upset,,and will remain so.. although this does not give him the right to call, visit harass you..if he cannot deal,, tell him to choose another path during his walk..

Amanda

Answer 7

First off the man has no right to harass you at all. It is over. September is 4 months away now. Call the police and tell them you want to complain about the man. The man has no right to have your dog put down for any reason as it did not attack a human. He would have the right to get any vet bills paid, but that is about it. Since you call the Humane Society, which I guess in your area are the people to call in the event of a dog attack, your covered. But he is not covered in any way to harass you. If you have to get a restraining order on him, before this turns into something you really don't want to happen.

Answer 8

The Humane Society has nothing to do with this, that is a private shelter, no wonder they don't do anything.
What you meant to call is Animal Services, your county "pound" and animal police - they handle incidents like this.

You are probably lucky that Animal Services did not come, neither he nor you called them because you would get a citation for your dog's aggressive behavior.

If the other guy is not suing you or filing a complaint with Animal Services, consider yourself very lucky and let it go. You would be a responsible pet owner if you offered to pay whatever it cost to have his dog vetted - maybe then he will stop screaming at you.

Also,you really should take your dog for obedience classes - sign up at Petco when they give them or ask your vet for a reference to a good trainer who gives group lessons. This will not only help you control your dog, but it will help socialize him with other dogs and new people.
Your dog is a danger to others if you have to walk him muzzled, and you know that - you have to get him over that or something worse will happen.

Please do that before he hurts another dog again.
It might placate the other dog owner too if you let him know you have signed up for obedience classes with your dog.

Answer 9

I would call the police and get the man's information. He is harrassing you. The incident is over, if they were going to do something to your dog, it would be done already. Also a dog gets three strikes for biting humans. I'm not so sure it counts for dogs. Tell the man to you want the cops called next time. Don't take anymore abuse from him.

Answer 10

In this type of situation I would have to say that you need to just avoid this guy.
Calling the humane society will only cause you more turmoil and they may tell you that your lucky he did not report it and make you put the dog down.
I am sorry but you may just have to bear it and stay away from this guy.
All the saying your sorry to this guy will not fix it.
Some folks are just that way, and he has the right to walk his dog down any street he wants unfortunately.
Was his dog hurt badly?
You know your dogs limitations, just be careful and don`t look to make waves before it causes you more grief.
Good Luck