Lucy bit a kid- Lawsuit pending?!

[ChaseandZahrasmom]

Larka,

Hopefully this will all blow over. Maybe the parents just overeacted because they knew they were in the wrong the child was crying and adrenaline was going.

My fingers are crossed for you that this all just goes away quietly without issues.

[felakuti]

Perhaps everyone here will think twice about tethering their dogs in yards where children play nearby and are apt to run into the yard. A tethered dog is an attraction for playing children as much as a swimming pool is, and most areas have laws now that pools have to have a fence with a locked gate. There is a lesson to be learned and our pups need to be protected from the children as much as they need to be protected from our pups.

[JazzysMom]

@felakuti:

Perhaps everyone here will think twice about tethering their dogs in yards where children play nearby and are apt to run into the yard. A tethered dog is an attraction for playing children as much as a swimming pool is, and most areas have laws now that pools have to have a fence with a locked gate. There is a lesson to be learned and our pups need to be protected from the children as much as they need to be protected from our pups.

So…. in a mobile home park where they are not allowed to put up fences,
you don't want supervised, tethered dogs? Ummm, just what are they supposed to do with the dogs? I guess, Larka, you just paper-train them and show them photos of what outside looks like.

{Don't say walk them on a leash, because a kid that is running free and has no respect for neighbors or dogs will also run up to and into the face of the dog on the leash. Kids are fast, and you can't always get the dog behind you fast enough. The DOG is not the biggest issue here. The KIDS are}

[renaultf1]

@JazzysMom:

The DOG is not the biggest issue here. The KIDS are

Exactly right…and as others have also said, the parents lack of supervision (and keeping the kids out of Larka's yard) is also the issue.

Felakuti...as much as you are saying this particular thread is a straight forward issue about tethering dogs, it isn't that way at all. And to think when I saw your new post I thought I was going to read an apology...I'm disappointed.

[JazzysMom]

The thing is, even animal control agrees, Larka WAS doing all a responsible owner should have needed to do. The dogs were tethered, ie confined to her own space; the dogs WERE supervised; the children had been repeatedly told NOT to run by the dogs. Larka immediately put the dog up and checked on the child, and offered to cover hospital bills.

It's not as if Larka is trying to shirk any responsibility here. THAT would be what the mother of the children is trying to do – not be responsible for the supervision and/or proper social education of her children. Looking for money the "easy" way.

I have kids. I have dogs. So I'm not "on the side" of either. I'm on the side of whatever is the "right thing" to do.
It'd be different if Larka's dog was loose, or if she'd tied the dog up and left the park {although, there IS still something to be said about teaching your children to respect other's boundaries.....},or if she'd never warned the kids/parents. There are so many variables that could have been at play, but were not.

Hang in there, Larka. and be sure to keep us posted!

[Alex]

May I remind everyone that the purpose of this forum is to provide a place for Basenji owners to make connections, exchange information and assist and encourage one another. It is above all a friendly environment for online discussion. You can read more about our community rules here:

http://www.basenjiforums.com/showthread.php?t=374

Here are some points that might be of interest:

• Don't be rude to others, or make an argument personal
• If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all
• Know the difference between a difference of opinion and a personal attack
• Don't try to "win" an argument by repeating yourself over and over
• Don't tell others what to post
• Keep it clean, don't use profanity

Why can't I tell someone what an idiot he/she is; every single thing he/she posts is just so wrong?

If you can't find a respectful way to express your difference of opinion, then you're better off saying nothing at all. Don't talk down to other posters, lecture them or be rude and dismissive. Disagreement is fine, but attacking another poster personally may get you in trouble.

Thank you for your participation,

[JazzysMom]

I do apologize for my part in the bickering. I guess sometimes I break the rules I set for my kids about pointless bickering and choosing battles.

I am sorry,

[Alex]

JazzysMom, my comment was not directed at you specifically. Just reminding everyone about the etiquette on this forum.

[massagemom3]

I know this may sound off track but…I've noticed that a few/one of the members on this forum can be very rude at times. At one point I was told some harsh things , that almost made me want to never come back to this forum. But then I realized, I can just simple block them, and choose to ignore them. I can't judge a group based on just a few/one member.

I'll say a prayer that everything works out for Larka & her neighbors. I know these kind of situations are never easy to live with.

[JazzysMom]

@luvsmy2bs:

Yep, I agree. The world would be a better place if people were bread like dogs– keeping the good qualities and weeding out the bad!

Ahh, but who gets to set THAT standard? Pretty scary proposition!!!

[JazzysMom]

@massagemom3:

I know this may sound off track but…I've noticed that a few/one of the members on this forum can be very rude at times. At one point I was told some harsh things , that almost made me want to never come back to this forum. But then I realized, I can just simple block them, and choose to ignore them. I can't judge a group based on just a few/one member.QUOTE]

Right. We all have grumpy days. AND, on email and e-forums, etc. you can't read body language or tone, so it's also very easy to misinterpret what is said, and how it was meant.

It's often best to let those comments that appear to be rude or harsh just roll off our backs.....

.... but sometimes . . . . :o . . it's just too easy to snap back! Or appear to snap back.

Internet communication is a such a blessing and such a curse!

[massagemom3]

I hear ya!

[Barklessdog]

I know I have said things that are rather blunt or harsh and never have meant any harm or apologize for anything I am unaware of.

I do like a good discussion and to challenge people's ideas (like no one showing image proof of other dogs having basenji like paws - I'm still waiting)

I believe everyone here means well and no one is truly mean, just maybe a bit over opinionated- we all are to some degree- lets face it -we are Basenji owners. It takes a special strong willed person to really be successful with these dogs. I'm still learning. Everyday things are better & better with our dogs (only took 7 years-we dont give up on our family)

I guess what's really needed here is more firm moderators to step in and delete or reprimand when things are going south, locking or deleting comments & threads- Thats what forum moderators are supposed to do.

[Quercus]

@Barklessdog:

I know I have said things that are rather blunt or harsh and never have meant any harm or apologize for anything I am unaware of.

I do like a good discussion and to challenge people's ideas (like no one showing image proof of other dogs having basenji like paws - I'm still waiting)

I believe everyone here means well and no one is truly mean, just maybe a bit over opinionated- we all are to some degree- lets face it -we are Basenji owners. It takes a special strong willed person to really be successful with these dogs. I'm still learning. Everyday things are better & better with our dogs (only took 7 years-we dont give up on our family)

I guess what's really needed here is more firm moderators to step in and delete or reprimand when things are going south, locking or deleting comments & threads- Thats what forum moderators are supposed to do.

Wow! Really? I think the moderators are doing a perfect job. I am on more than one message board, and I think the conversations here are very civil, supportive and on topic.

The few times that things have really deteriorated, the fact that threads haven't been shut down has given people the opportunity to apologize (myself included) when they realized they had hurt someone, or been too critical or harsh.

We are all grown-ups here…all thinking rational people. We all know how to play nice, and we know when we have stepped over the line, and what to do about it. I think the moderation is just right

[Basenji_Boy]

I've participated in football forums and trust me this site is very tame in comparison. As Jazzy points out sometimes you can't really know what the poster is trying to say or it comes off differently than the poster intended.

It's just about respecting each other's opinion people, we don't have to agree, but we don't have to show disrespect either.

[massagemom3]

I appreciate and except your apology.

[TuckerVA]

I've posted about Tucker being aggressive before and I think it might apply a bit here as this situation is VERY 'close to home'. I am VERY careful with my dog knowing his tendancies. However, there is the rare occasion where he ends up tangled with another dog who pops around a corner or gets uncomfortably close to a person and there is a risk of that person getting bit. Tucker HAS bitten. He's bitten MANY people as a matter of fact. Noone is perfect and I really feel like I do a great job in avoiding these situations and managing my dog's contact with others.

The simply fact is that even when you are there, and when you are taking what you feel is EVERY precaution, stuff happens that is beyond your control. I learn a new lesson with Tucker every day. Owning a B, especially a B that has been in and out of fosters, moved, abused, etc is almost like a second job. I can't let my guard down for one second with Tucker. I even considered, for a brief period in heavy frustration (peeing everywhere, shredding duvets, general bad behavior), giving him back to BRAT for rehoming and I have had experience with B's in my past. In the end, however, the rewards of having him in my life far outweighed how I would feel now were he not here. There was just an adjustment period that I know fully understand. Now, I leave him alone in my condo with full access. We've reached that 'mutual respect' level and he never disappoints me because I never let him down. It seems to be exactly what my B needed in his life. Someone to take him in, struggle through the adjustments to his FIFTH home where others apparently couldn't, protect him, take care of him and treat him with respect and let him be a B.

One realizes how important their pet is when they are almost hit by a car (last night) and they yank their dog out from in front of the car (that ran a stop sign) before jumping to safety themselves.

In my opinion, he couldn't be a more perfect dog.

[senji]

Wow…glad i read your post. It's very touching you've stuck it out with him...GOOD FOR YOU...you've really come through for him. Glad you're both ok after the car incident.

[ChristyRutherford]

Larka,
Good luck with all of this.
I do have a question about if they do sue. Can you counter sue for trespassing?
It is sad that there are people that would take advantage of the situation and sue. I have an aunt and uncle that are the same way and it just baffles me. It is like the person that sued when they spilled hot coffee on themselves.
personal responsibilty–people !!!!:p
Really, good luck.

[Alex]

We have considered moderation and decided against it for the time being. We want this forum to be a happy self policing community created by Basenji owners for Basenji owners.

Several of us read the forums daily and we do get alerted by senior members if things get out of control. Then we just remind people about the forum rules.

So far our reminders about respecting each other worked well and noone had to be booted. Some members left because they just could not handle a difference of opinion or did not want give into the argument. But in the end we think it was the best for the rest of Basenji Forums community and the new people that are lurking around deciding whether to join or not.