Lucy bit a kid- Lawsuit pending?!

[JazzysMom]

@Larka:

The only issue I had with the cops is when the first cop saw her, he was like "That's a PitBull." All the paperwork I have on her, which I showed him, has her listed as a Corgi mix (from the shelter she came from) or a Basenji mix (from all the vets she's been to.) Yeah, a TON of people think she's a Pit mix, but none of my paperwork says anything about PitBull and I'm going to leave it at that. I had to spell "Basenji" like 8 times to him, and had to get on the AKC's site and show him that it WAS a breed, and that's what she was. The funny thing was that when his partner got back from talking to the other people, she looked at Lucy and was like "Oh my god! A Basenji! Do you yodel? My baby yodels." She has a tri and had never seen a red and white in person. It was awesome.

That's a huge part of the pit bulls' bad reputation. Emergency officials and newspaper reports mis-identify them ALL THE TIME. Imagine if the Mom had called the paper – Lucy would be called a pit-bull mix or something, no matter WHAT you told them.

Cool that Officer 2 had a B! That was really helpful, at least as far as the cops were concerned.

One of my kids got bit by a neigbor dog about 4 yrs ago. DD was 10 at the time. The neighbor lady had cancer and I frequently sent my kids over to check on her throughout the day. DD was running across the yard while the lady's obnoxious little mutt {who knew and loved my kids} was tied out. Little ol' Murphy just jumped up as DD passed and bit her on the butt!
Barely broke the skin, but it did break. We just cleaned her up and told her to stop running by tethered dogs, LOL.

Dogs are unpredictable. Duh.

[Quercus]

@JazzysMom:

That's a huge part of the pit bulls' bad reputation. Emergency officials and newspaper reports mis-identify them ALL THE TIME. Imagine if the Mom had called the paper – Lucy would be called a pit-bull mix or something, no matter WHAT you told them.

Cool that Officer 2 had a B! That was really helpful, at least as far as the cops were concerned.

One of my kids got bit by a neigbor dog about 4 yrs ago. DD was 10 at the time. The neighbor lady had cancer and I frequently sent my kids over to check on her throughout the day. DD was running across the yard while the lady's obnoxious little mutt {who knew and loved my kids} was tied out. Little ol' Murphy just jumped up as DD passed and bit her on the butt!
Barely broke the skin, but it did break. We just cleaned her up and told her to stop running by tethered dogs, LOL.

Dogs are unpredictable. Duh.

Especially dogs that are tied out! A huge percentage of dog attacks come from dogs that are routinely tied out.

[Barklessdog]

A basenji can never kill a person and only bites if feeling threatened.

The most the bites we have received leave bruises (big ones with their powerful jaws)and or puncture wounds.

Just keep their rabbi shots up to date!

sue for what?

A small puncture wound & bruises?

If not on the face I doubt they would get much other than you pay for the Dr. bill.

Has anyone been bitten bad enough to get stitches?

[JazzysMom]

@Barklessdog:

A basenji can never kill a person and only bites if feeling threatened.

The most the bites we have received leave bruises (big ones with their powerful jaws)and or puncture wounds.

Just keep their rabbi shots up to date!

sue for what?

A small puncture wound & bruises?

If not on the face I doubt they would get much other than you pay for the Dr. bill.

Has anyone been bitten bad enough to get stitches?

I have to disagree. I believe fully that a Basenji certainly COULD kill, esp a child. It is not likely going to happen, but it sure could.

And to say that a breed "only bites when it feels threatened" seems naive to me. Any dog could possibly bite at any time for any reason. And an unstable dog of any breed will do just that.

Sue for medical costs – ER visits are very pricey, and in some places you can get pain and suffering costs added on to that. They could be talking a very hefty sum of money.

Jazzy bit my friend's 6 yo old son the face, and it did require a couple of stitches. She tore the area above his lip right down to the lip. That obvious scar will be there for life.

[nomrbddgs]

There is a judge out there that used to have basenji's. Her one had a tumor (unbeknownst to her) and attacked her one day. She has very vivid scars. If her husband wasn't there the dog would probably have killed her. All animals have the capacity to kill. She decided it wasn't going to affect her life and is still a judge for group 2.

[Quercus]

@JazzysMom:

I have to disagree. I believe fully that a Basenji certainly COULD kill, esp a child. It is not likely going to happen, but it sure could.

And to say that a breed "only bites when it feels threatened" seems naive to me. Any dog could possibly bite at any time for any reason. And an unstable dog of any breed will do just that.

Sue for medical costs – ER visits are very pricey, and in some places you can get pain and suffering costs added on to that. They could be talking a very hefty sum of money.

Jazzy bit my friend's 6 yo old son the face, and it did require a couple of stitches. She tore the area above his lip right down to the lip. That obvious scar will be there for life.

I agree with everything posted above. And as far as suing…sometimes the vicitim doesn't have an option. We found that out when Tim broke his ankle slipping on ice. Our medical insurance sued the owner of the parking lot, we didn't have any say in it at all.

[senji]

When I was a kid we had a B. My parents showed him. He was from a good Kennel…(Walkers and Works). He got loose one day and stuck his head in a ground hog hole. My dad grabbed him. He didn't realize it was my dad and bit his wrist. He should have had stitches. He also had my dad trapped on top of their chest freezer after a hunting trip until he realized it was him. I know I feel safe because Deke wouldn't let anyone in we didn't want in. that is one reason why it takes a certain type of person to own Bs. We say it on here all the time.

[JazzysMom]

@Quercus:

I agree with everything posted above. And as far as suing…sometimes the vicitim doesn't have an option. We found that out when Tim broke his ankle slipping on ice. Our medical insurance sued the owner of the parking lot, we didn't have any say in it at all.

Good point. Any time our kids have had any kind of visit to the ER, the insurance won't pay out a dime until we've filed an accident report stating the where/when/how/who's property info.
Fortunately, it's always been situations where we can indicate the fault lies with the child.

In a dog bite case, I'm sure there is NO option for that. Their insurance company WILL probably sue for at least the cost of the visit to the ER {which could be hundreds even if they don't do anything}, and then there goes your home-owners or renters insurance rates

the whole situation just sucks.

[Larka]

My neighborhood is VERY prone to break-ins and robberies. When I first moved in, the neighbors had someone break in and assault the wife, she ended up with her arm broken in 2 places. In my opinion, in this neighborhood, a dog who bites a stranger that is coming into it's area should be given a medal.

The problem with homeowners insurance is that we didn't have it when this happened. We had just moved into the trailer, were still new to the city, so it was taking us awhile to get it. We were going to get it Monday, this happened Saturday.

I'm still willing to come out of pocket for the hospital bill. I figured like $500, I'm fine with that. I'm just worried about them doing anything else. We just found out that the people who lived here before us moved out because someone in the neighborhood killed their dog because it was running loose.

[JazzysMom]

@Larka:

My neighborhood is VERY prone to break-ins and robberies. When I first moved in, the neighbors had someone break in and assault the wife, she ended up with her arm broken in 2 places. In my opinion, in this neighborhood, a dog who bites a stranger that is coming into it's area should be given a medal.

The problem with homeowners insurance is that we didn't have it when this happened. We had just moved into the trailer, were still new to the city, so it was taking us awhile to get it. We were going to get it Monday, this happened Saturday.

I'm still willing to come out of pocket for the hospital bill. I figured like $500, I'm fine with that. I'm just worried about them doing anything else. We just found out that the people who lived here before us moved out because someone in the neighborhood killed their dog because it was running loose.

Oh, geez. Something else to have to worry about.

You haven't heard anything else yet? I think the waiting would kill me.

[Larka]

I just got a visit from Animal Control… I had just let the dogs in and then they go back to the door, pointing, going "Mom, someone's here." I threw them both in one of the extra rooms and then answered the door and totally thought my heart stopped when I saw it was Animal Control.

But the guy was totally awesome. He had looked at the tie-outs and seen how far they went and how strong they were before he knocked on my door. He said that the "bite" was actually just a scratch. He asked to see Lucy's tags and all her paperwork, then asked to see Lucy. She's on house arrest until November 7th, but I can live with that. He said that the people have no leg to stand on, and the case through the County and Animal Control will be dropped on the 7th after they come see Lucy again and say she's free from house arrest. And if they want to still take it to civil court, I have all my paperwork for Lucy and all the paperwork for this case, and the Animal Control guy said that the judge will laugh in these people's faces.

AND- This Animal Control guy has been to my neighborhood THREE times for these people's chihuahua because they let it run loose! AHHAHAHAHAHA. He said that if the dog gets in my yard again, to pick it up, put it in my house and call Animal Control and they'll come get it since they already have all that on file.

[dash]

good news. I feel bad for the chihuahua though.

[Quercus]

@Larka:

I just got a visit from Animal Control… I had just let the dogs in and then they go back to the door, pointing, going "Mom, someone's here." I threw them both in one of the extra rooms and then answered the door and totally thought my heart stopped when I saw it was Animal Control.

But the guy was totally awesome. He had looked at the tie-outs and seen how far they went and how strong they were before he knocked on my door. He said that the "bite" was actually just a scratch. He asked to see Lucy's tags and all her paperwork, then asked to see Lucy. She's on house arrest until November 7th, but I can live with that. He said that the people have no leg to stand on, and the case through the County and Animal Control will be dropped on the 7th after they come see Lucy again and say she's free from house arrest. And if they want to still take it to civil court, I have all my paperwork for Lucy and all the paperwork for this case, and the Animal Control guy said that the judge will laugh in these people's faces.

AND- This Animal Control guy has been to my neighborhood THREE times for these people's chihuahua because they let it run loose! AHHAHAHAHAHA. He said that if the dog gets in my yard again, to pick it up, put it in my house and call Animal Control and they'll come get it since they already have all that on file.

Well…good that AC is on your side....but I don't know if I would get involved with the situation with the neighbor's dog. Personally, I wouldn't want to give them any reason to be angry with me, particularly with the concern you mentioned about the prior residents having their dog killed!

I hope things get better in the neighborhood for you!

[felakuti]

lets have some common sense here, you had full knowledge that the kids had a tendency to run into your yard and yet you tied the dogs out there without supervision anyway, and you also knew what kind of temperament your basenji has. I am sorry but YOU are the one responsible. Never in a million years would I tie up a basenji in my yard when i knew there were kids running around and playing. what are you nuts or something? geesh

[dash]

@felakuti:

lets have some common sense here, you had full knowledge that the kids had a tendency to run into your yard and yet you tied the dogs out there without supervision anyway, and you also knew what kind of temperament your basenji has. I am sorry but YOU are the one responsible. Never in a million years would I tie up a basenji in my yard when i knew there were kids running around and playing. what are you nuts or something? geesh

The dogs were supervised. I really think stuff happens. You should be able to tie your dogs in your yard and not have people running in it. She agreed that she was responsible and would pay for the hospital bill. I think you are being a little harsh and basically an ass. I am not sure if you are on here as a joke or you are really this rude.

[senji]

No one has the right to enter your property!!!! The kids were told to stay away from the dog. Children should be able to respect animals and property. I have children..the problem is too many parents have stopped parenting and let kids do whatever. If my child got scratched by someone elses dog in their yard I'd tell them it's a good lesson to learn and you're lucky it was only a scratch. My own cat has scratched my kids because they didn't leave her alone when they should of. RESPECT..children need to learn that again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tanza]

@felakuti:

lets have some common sense here, you had full knowledge that the kids had a tendency to run into your yard and yet you tied the dogs out there without supervision anyway, and you also knew what kind of temperament your basenji has. I am sorry but YOU are the one responsible. Never in a million years would I tie up a basenji in my yard when i knew there were kids running around and playing. what are you nuts or something? geesh

That is a bit harsh?…. She already said that they watch them when they are tied out?

[Basenji_Boy]

@felakuti:

what are you nuts or something? geesh

Uncalled for really…..shame shame.:(

[luvsmy2bs]

Have people gone crazy in this country????? What has happened to personal responsibility?????? From the sounds of it Larka was doing her part – keeping her dogs in her yard,,,,,,,,,the neighbors with the kids have NOT done there part,,,,,,maybe they should tie their kids out and let the dogs run free for a while and see how they like it!!!!

[lvoss]

@felakuti:

lets have some common sense here, you had full knowledge that the kids had a tendency to run into your yard and yet you tied the dogs out there without supervision anyway, and you also knew what kind of temperament your basenji has. I am sorry but YOU are the one responsible. Never in a million years would I tie up a basenji in my yard when i knew there were kids running around and playing. what are you nuts or something? geesh

I think you should read the entire post that started this thread instead of bashing someone who did everything she could think of to prevent just such a situation but can not control the bad choices of her neighbors. The dogs were supervised, they are only outside to potty which the owner has a right to do. The property owners refuse to allow any sort of fencing which really only encourages this dangerous situation. The owner has worked with both dogs so she can try to prevent these incidents but the children do not listen to her verbal requests to stay off her property and away from her dogs and the parents are not present to control their children. The person did not stand idly by and allow this to happen, it happened because they could not control their dogs and their neighbors unsupervised children simultaneously.

It is sad to see someone attack another on this forum for trying to do the responsible thing.