Dog Bite

[Le Chat]

Hi. I wasn't sure whether to post this here or in the law section. What do you think?
Today, a young Chinese couple were putting leaflets (for a Chinese take away) through the doors in our road.
I noticed a bit of a kerfuffle the upshot being that the chinese lady had been bitten as she pushed the leaflet through the door of our immediate neighbours, who were all out.
We bathed and dressed the lady's hand and I took them to the hospital, as she was in no state to drive. You could actually see the bone on two of her fingers, as the dog had bitten that hard and the skin had folded back as she pulled her hand away from the letterbox.
I didn't stay at the hospital, as I had to go somewhere myself but I do think she would have needed stitches at the very least.
I am obviously going to tell my neighbour. I told the chinese lady to report it to the police or at least come back and see my neighbour when he is in but she spoke and understood very little english.
Now I am worried or should I say even more worried. The dog is an Alsation about 5 yrs old and barks constantly. I know this because I was once at my wits end when they kept it in their conservatory (with the windows open)at the constant barking all day. I was then at home with my baby. After this they keep it in the house all the time.
If a package arrives here for them, I wait until they are in the path as I wont venture round....I also didn't send them a Xmas card this year as I was too teriffied of even approaching the door.
What worries me the most, is that we live in a cul-de-sac and the children play in the street. If that dog got out I presume they would be likely to be savaged (the young ones anyway)
I have no experience with dogs, so would the dog quite likely be just like this in the house?
Is there anything I can do before something really bad happens?
They are at work all day and we get on fine.

[monkeywiener]

I would say have the dog put down it is very dangerous. You could then give the carcass to the chinese take away.
Waste not, want not!

[Drisgirl]

Ignore that tube ^^

I seriously would report the incident and also report to the police -they will advise on the proper actions.

Its not the dog really who is dangerous -its the lack of control from the owners so you would be actually doing everyone a service -dog included -in getting it re-homed.

I am naturally wary of dogs as I have been bitten several times BUT I dont dislike them and this poor dog is in desperate need of getting out of that home before it does serious damage.

[jules77]

Many years ago we had a BC that used to wait the other side of the front door and pull the envelopes as the postman was posting them through the letter box. He complained the dog was dangerous and refused to deliver the post (no more bills!!). She wasnt aggressive at all, but just had a thing with the postman, and when I let her outside she was very friendly with him.

Dont judge the dog on this incident alone, but make sure you tell the neighbours, and perhaps they should put a cage on the letter box if possible.

[fredpuli47]

The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 only applies if the dog is in a public place.This owner's home is not a 'public place'. That would be a criminal case.

The Dogs Act 1871 applies wherever the dog is.Procedure is by complaint in the Magistrates' Court.That's a civil, not a criminal, procedure against the owner of the dog.It's not the law, in either case, that a dog is allowed one free bite, but evidence that the dog is normally under control and has not hitherto indicated any dangerous tendencies should avail the owner.Magistrates can, in theory, order the destruction of a dog under the 1871 Act but that's highly unlikely.

The victim has, in any case, the ordinary civil remedy of suing for damages for the injury and any loss.

Calling the police in is a good idea because they will advise the owner about future conduct, even though their powers are very limited in this case. A few warning words, including reference to the noise nuisance, might bring results.

This dog was probably 'protecting its territory' in this instance (no consolation to the victim) and not 'dangerous' in general.It could do with proper training.In any case the owners ought to put a mesh guard around the letter box so the dog can't bite an 'intruding' hand as well as keep the dog under control.

[Postdog]

It's a territory thing. As a postie I get on well with all dogs on my walk, but when they are behind the door and don't know who is on the other side, they want to protect their place. Fortunately I know about them - some dogs can be really sneaky and stay quiet until the right moment!

I don't think this dog is dangerous, but I do think the owners (from what you say) need to be a bit more responsible, and a "beware of the dog" sign by the door or on the letterbox wouldn't go amiss. At least then they could argue that anyone bitten was warned, and so had the choice to invade the dogs space or not.

[brenda]

Just because a dog barks a lot when left alone , or indeed bites a hand which comes through a letterbox when it is on its own in the house, is it necessarily a dangerous dog.

Dogs are protective of their environment and will often bite strange fingers protruding thro the box.
Dogs will also bark when they are very bored and lonely.

Your neighbours however nice are not really in the best position, both working to have a dog, but they have.

I would try and speak to your neighbours as you get on well
and tell them of your concern

There are various signs they can put up ranging from "Beware of the dog" to " No hawkers , canvassers etc welcome"

One of the may deter letterbox posters.

Good luck.

[Le Chat]

Thank you for your answers. I fully intend to speak to my neighbours but I've got to catch them in the path, as NO WAY am I knocking on that door!!!
I understand the territory concept but I've seen the dog at the gate and it looks really vicious, so I am concerned for the children should it escape.
Once we heard banging at 2am, so my husband went out to investigate and the neighbours were securing a fence panel as it had been blown down by heavy winds. When my husband asked why they couldn't wait until daylight, they said 'Because of the dog!' So it must be pretty vicious!

[kita1]

Why would the dog escape? Have you ever seen it out on the street alone?

I have had GSD's for over 20 years and in that time not one of them has ever 'escaped' or been out on the street without me in attendance.

Your neighbours sound like responsible people (apart from allowing the dog access to the letter box). How far did the woman put her hand/arm through the letter box? She was only delivering a leaflet after all. Are you even sure it was the dog that bit her, after all some letter box flaps can be very sharp and strip away the skin. I am sure that the post office would refuse to deliver to that address if they had any problems whatsoever with the dog.

If they are prepared to check and repair the fence at that time in the morning it does not mean the dog is vicious - just that they are being responsible. There is an old country saying 'a good fence makes good neighbours'.

[fredpuli47]

Anybody with any dog has to look after their fences. A chihuahua can get out or wander next door. Can't hold that against your neighbours! "It must be pretty vicious" isn't the reason ! A responsible owner doesn't like their dog going next door because the dog may foul next door, quite apart from any question of it being able to wander further or get out into the street and get itself run over, or cause an accident. A dog that gets next door can be very difficult to get back, since the neighbours may be out and the owner can't get access to fetch it but it won't respond to calling.If this is a street fence, the reason for instant repair is obvious.
Anyway, not used to dogs but you've come to the right place.Hope we've reassured you a bit !