So the day before Easter, my daughter got bit by a neighbors pit-bull on her upper left thigh. She wasn't doing anything but walking, and this dog rips itself off of it's outdoor lead, and charges at her and bit her. It is only one puncture wound from the lower mouth and upper mouth bruising. The wound was too deep to get stitches, so the Dr sent us home with antibiotics and cleaned the wound for her.

So, the lady who owns the dog is all up in my face trying to get herself out of trouble and offering to pay the bill, offering me like 30 bucks to by my daughter a doll... And I am just thinking to myself, All I want is for her to get rid of the dog. I don't even want to walk to the end of my road anymore... Not just because of the dog, but because I am not very good with confrontation and I don't want to talk to them.

Well, we had to fill out an animal attack report at the hospital, and Animal Control called yesterday to tell us that they are going to quarantine the dog to the home for 10 days or whatever. So now the neighbor lady has been knocking on my door a couple of times a day since yesterday. I have not answered the door... I am afraid of being assaulted. She has this 'I am smarter than everyone else and if I am not right I will make sure I am right anyways' sort type of attitude. So who knows how she is reacting to Animal Control getting involved.

So I don't know what to do in this situation. I want that dog gone, but if all that Animal Control is going to do is give them a slap on the wrist. It isn't like I can take her to court over one puncture wound. I will spend more money than I would make back in small claims court. Blah.

Ugh, that is such a scary situation. I understand her side of not wanting to get rid of her dog because obviously I would feel the same way if that happened, it would be devastating, but the dog injured your daughter and she should understand that in any dog bite situation that requires hospital visitation you have to fill out the bite paperwork. If it happened once it will most likely happen again and this time another child could get seriously injured. I can't believe she is knocking on your door. I think if she continues as much as you hate confrontation, I would answer the door with a phone in your hand (in case you need to call the police) and calmly explain to her the situation, and I just wouldn't let her inside. If this is the first bite that the dog has had, they might not have to get rid of the dog, like you wish they would. I think with one smaller bite, they have another chance.

I really hope she has also at least apologized for the pain that the dog bite caused your daughter.

if she continues to knock today i would just call the non emergency police line and tell them what she is doing. i would also keep a close eye on your dogs and checking your yard for things that she may have put in there. sorry that happened

I'm with Jenn on this one. Document *everything*, and if she continues to pull this crap then call the police. What she's doing is pretty clear cut harassment, and they can file charges on that.

So sorry you guys have to deal with this, and I hope your daughter doesn't have any long term effects.

I don't know American laws.
I live in Australia.

I thought any dog that attacks a person gets put down.

My nephews Dalmatians were put down because cows in their area were being killed and they thought the dalmatian was the only dog big enough to do it.
no proof of it really but they had to be put down just on allegations.

once they bite a person they will do it again. it will only be worse next time.
In short it's crossed the line, their in the wrong.

Did you witness this?

that $30 is laughable.

I did not get to witness it however my neighbor friend did see it happen and brought my daughter back home to me, where as I immediately made the preparations to take her to the hospital.

siku&nikolai wrote:

I can't believe she is knocking on your door. I think if she continues as much as you hate confrontation, I would answer the door with a phone in your hand (in case you need to call the police) and calmly explain to her the situation, and I just wouldn't let her inside. If this is the first bite that the dog has had, they might not have to get rid of the dog, like you wish they would. I think with one smaller bite, they have another chance.

I really hope she has also at least apologized for the pain that the dog bite caused your daughter.

If she hasn't apologized yet it is possible that's why she is knocking on the door. I could be wrong and she might be completely not the type to ever apologize for anything, but then if the dust has had some time to settle she might have calmed down enough to just be sorry and want to tell you so. I personally would open the door and give her a chance to talk, but I would have my phone with a voice recorder just in case she is just simply there to harass you, then you have proof against her. All more documentation to add to everything else you might have.

It's horrible your child was bitten and the lady should have to pay, but I also see her side a little. While it is still her fault and she is responsible, if my dog bit someone I would have a hard time being rational if I were in fear my dog was going to be put to sleep. Hopefully she will calm down and come around with a little time to being reasonable.

You may find this of interest:

http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusmist287_321.htm

I'm so sorry for your daughter and I truly hope this doesn't hurt her relationship with Okami, she was so cute to listen to when Okami was opening Christmas presents.
The way you have described this event happening worries me. It's one thing if a dog bites on it's territory, still wrong but understandable. Breaking off it's lead and moving out of it's territory isn't defense, that's hunting... and in this case the prey was a child. Pits raised by good people can be be wonderful dogs, I've a few. Pits raised by morons are dangerous, do something about this dog before someone gets seriously hurt or killed. If you can't do it alone see if some of your neighbors share your feelings and maybe they can help, there is strength in numbers.
I love dogs. I do not like to speak against any dog but too many idiots own this breed and too many people are injured because of it.

She had apologized on the first day, before I was able to get my daughter to the hospital. And she came over a total of 3 times yesterday. My fiance's father answered the door on the 3rd time. She only asked if I was there, she never said what she wanted to talk to me about, only talked to my fiance's dad about the trees that need to be cutting down. (We recently had a pretty bad wind/hailstorm that knocked down a butt load of trees)

I agree. I hate the idea of someone getting rid of a dog. But I firmly believe in, it is an owners responsibility and also their fault in this situation and in any situation. I do see it from her perspective, if Okami were to bite someone's child or anyone I would be devastated and would probably end up having to give her up. But my child was charged at and bitten. The people who own the dog live across the road from someone who has her 5 grand-kids over frequently, what if this happens again and someone got hurt even worse than my child?

Here is a tiny history. This dog was hit by a car when it was with it's previous owners. I guess my neighbors have been adopting "impossible rehabilitation dog cases" for 25 years. Respectable. Anyone that can care that much for the animals that would get put down otherwise in my book are fantastic. Ever since Bowgee (dog's name) was hit by the car he has been frightened, fearful and aggressive. My neighbors who own Bowgee are new to the neighborhood as of 6 months ago. So when they first moved here I saw them walking Bowgee, and I thought hey cool a dog that Okami can play with. So I go up to her without Okami to ask if we could join her for a walk. And that is when she told me about Bowgees aggression but told me if I walked a distance away or on the other side of the road it would be okay. So I did. Every chance that dog had, it tried to go and attack Okami. Bowgee was growling, bearing teeth, and pulling hard to try to get at her. And Okami is oblivious, she was just like awe you want to play with me I want to play too! (Silly dog)

Anyways, I knew from that moment that there was no way that that dog was going to have any sort of friendly relationship with Okami.

As I said though it is commendable that they do this for dogs with issues that just need love and rehabilitation, but they have had him for 2 years. Obviously they are not meeting his needs somewhere if he is resulting in breaking off of leads and attacking a child walking down the road.

Sorry that this happened to your daughter and you   
Although I did not get bit, my neighbor’s pit bull got loose on Sunday and charged me and my 3 huskies while we were on our walk.  Luckily none of us got bit, although I got pulled down on the pavement and it banged me up pretty good.  A neighbor witnessed it and called our Homeowner’s Association because pit bulls are banned on the property.  They are going to make her get rid of her dog.
I don’t like the idea of someone having to get rid of their dog, but the fact is that your neighbor’s pit bull attacked your daughter, and if it did it once, it can do it again.  She is irresponsible for allowing it to get loose.  Sure, accidents happen but I am VERY careful that my dogs don’t get out, and they should be too.  The fact that she is helping dogs that are “unadoptable” is great and all, but not when it is a threat to other people.  YOU should not feel bad about her dog getting taken away.  In fact, I would make sure the police have a report as well.  
I understand how nervous you feel walking in your neighborhood, trust me!  I bought mace to keep with me on my walks now, because if I see that dog charging me again it is going to get a facefull of mace!

Also, I was always a proponent of "ban the behavior, not the breed" but I am beginning to think otherwise in regards to pit bulls. I have been seeing an awful alot of unprovoked attacks and it is worrysome. Just the fact of how powerful their jaws are scary enough. I will always be on edge if I come across one, and will never allow my dogs to play with one. That may seem harsh but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Hope your daughter is doing better and good luck.

I am very sorry to be reading this thread, what an awful thing to have happen to your little girl!

I agree with Hughie, the circumstances in which you described it happening are disturbing. That dog harmed with intent to harm, that to me should define the outcome - the dog needs to go. You are also right, it is absolutely the owners responsibility to ensure these things don't hap[en - especially with a dog like a pit, they are pure power and capable of inflicting incredible harm if put in the care of unsuitable owners. I am not personally against them as a breed, infact Orion's best buddy is a pit who is very luck to have a wonderful owner who is fully committed to her dog. It amazes me that it will take a homeowners association to make the owners of the dog remove it. Here if a dog attacks a person it is destroyed, no exceptions. Most of the time it is destroyed on the day of the attack.  

I hope your little girl is on the mend and still loves dogs as much as she did! It would be awful for her if her confidence was knocked by this incident

To me intent to protect territory, or hunt doesn't matter. The bottom line is that a dangerous dog is a dangerous dog. If you wreck your car and kill or hurt someone, it is your responsibility whether you intended to or not. Not only will your insurance company pay for damages for the other person, but you might face criminal charges.

I can't imagine this is the first time that dog was at the end of his tie out ready to rip someone to pieces. It's the owners responsibility to keep the dog contained in a way that keeps everyone safe. Personally I think he should be put down. No, it's not the dogs fault he's violent and aggressive, however, he is a danger to everyone around him, including his owners. Unfortunately he will pay the ultimate price, but in the end, it sounds like that is absolutely necessary to keep the neighborhood and the children safe. Thank goodness your daughter escaped without serious damage.

To me, breed doesn't matter, but if I ever owned a pit or corso (or rottie, or shepherd for that matter), I would make damn sure to socialize the heck out of it and make sure to always be conscious of his reactions/body language/temperament. Yes, any dog can be aggressive, but as everyone else has pointed out, the power to cause serious harm or death is much greater with a pitbull. They can be beautiful, wonderful, sweet dogs. There are many here in the city. They are the highest population in the shelters and rescues, so I have definitely encountered a lot of awesome pits, but I have also encountered one or two that tried to go after Diz. Thankfully no one was hurt. I'm just glad your daughter is okay!

You and your daughter have been in my thoughts. How have things been??

Thanks for your thoughts, she has been doing great. The wound is almost all the way closed up. It looks a lot better and she seems less irritated by it. I still think the only thing that happened to the dog, was animal control quarantined him for 10 days to the home.

I wish we could quarantine the humans...... and educate them about how they should raise/treat their canine companions.

Sadly forced education won't work on those refuse to listen. Especially on someone with an "I am smarter than everyone else and if I am not right I will make sure I am right anyways" (aka Lucy van Pelt from Peanuts) attitude. :/

I've been shadowing this topic for awhile, glad to hear that your daughter is doing better and I hope that this doesn't affect her relationship with other dogs...

It didn't seem to affect her relationship with Okami at all, she still gives her hugs and wants to get kisses from her. However, one of the other neighbor dogs who is really friendly wanted to say hi and she ran away.. he is just a big black lab lol. So I don't know, I am going to have to deal with some damage control for a little bit, but if she was truly scared she wouldn't want anything to do with Okami.

lillith87 wrote:

It didn't seem to affect her relationship with Okami at all, she still gives her hugs and wants to get kisses from her. However, one of the other neighbor dogs who is really friendly wanted to say hi and she ran away.. he is just a big black lab lol. So I don't know, I am going to have to deal with some damage control for a little bit, but if she was truly scared she wouldn't want anything to do with Okami.

She could still be fine with Okami and scared to pieces of other dogs...when I was 13, got chewed up pretty good by a Wiemaraner. We had an Irish Setter at the time, I was fine with that - then came the Old English Sheepdogs, fine with that. Any and all Wiemaraner, forget about it...generalizes to Rottweilers, Dobermans, German Shepards, Boxers...scared s@#$%ss

I agree. I got bit a few times when I was a kid and young adult. I worked at a kennel and volunteered for a rescue during college. Always loved dogs... Didn't always have the best skills as a 7 year old lol. Let's see, I got bit by a golden retriever, rottie, mini poodleish mix (at least twice) scottie, mini schnauzer and a husky (abused rescue). Also there was a neighborhood chow that tried to attack every male dog in the neighborhood. There are two breeds I have aversions to: dalmatians and dachshunds. Got bit by those two breeds while working at the kennel, spooky dogs. Don't like them! I'm boarder line on vizlas too, also spooky dogs but I've known more than one so the jury is out. Overall though, I haven't met a bad dog, just dumb humans.

Oh, and at least 3 cats. Still don't love cats though. I've learned that at least I can read dogs well enough to see a reaction/bite coming. Cats, you never can tell.

wpskier222 wrote:

Oh, and at least 3 cats. Still don't love cats though. I've learned that at least I can read dogs well enough to see a reaction/bite coming. Cats, you never can tell.

That's because cats are psychotic assholes.   

On the flip side, I almost had my eye taken out by a small dog (don't remember the breed, but it was white and fluffy), and had been attacked multiple times by a doxie at my old babysitters. I had no negative fall outs whatsoever . I was around 5-6 the first time, and 8-10 with the doxie. So, hopefully your daughter puts the experience behind her like I did. She will never forget, but hopefully she can move on without having lasting effects.