Our dog bit our neighbor!!

[mookie]

This actually happened last night, but I'm still looking for some opinions. We have 2 dogs, a lab mix that's about 11, and a yellow lab that's 5. Our yellow lab (Mulligan) has always been a bit skittish around adults. Actually, terrified of them until he gets to know them. But he loves kids. He's a great dog around all of us, a complete love, and has never done anything to anyone in our family.

So, last night, DH was out of town on business. At 9pm, our neighbor (who just moved in about 4 months ago) rang our doorbell. My 3 yo was asleep, and I was just finally getting our 6 mo ds to sleep in my arms. Of course, the dogs went nuts barking. So, as I'm making my way to the door, I'm being really quiet, to try to keep my ds sleeping in my arms. I look out my window, and notice it's our neighbor. So, I tell her to "hold on." Open our big door, and she can clearly see I am holding my sleeping son. I'm trying to get our dogs out of the way to open the storm door, and she instead goes to open it and walk in (she has only been to our house a few times.) Our outside lights were off (I wasn't planning on unexpected visitors at 9pm!!!!!) so you couldn't really see her face, and she was wearing a big black jacket. Sure enough, our dog that is terrified of everyone, bit her as she grabbed the door handle to get in the house. Broke skin, bleeding, everything. First time he's ever done it.

Long story short, she came in after I put the dogs out in the backyard, washed off her hand, and we checked it out. It looked pretty bad, broke skin on a few sides, and was bleeding under the skin. (I thought it might need stitches) I told her it probably wasn't a good idea to just come into the house before I had the dogs under control, as I think Mulligan was only trying to protect me since I had our son in my arms. She tells me don't worry about it, no big deal, as long as he has his shots (he does) she's fine.

She goes to leave our house, and then proceeds to tell me she was just coming over to borrow a mixer. (at 9pm? Ever hear of a phone? She has our number!!!)

Anyway, she says she's fine. I think she should go to the dr. I am afraid that her hand is worse than she thinks it is. Plus, I don't want it to be so bad later that it gets infected and face a BIGGER dr. bill. (She told me she won't go seek treatment because she knows they'll make her get a teatnus (sp?) shot and she HATES needles!)

Even though I left a message at her house today asking how she was, I haven't heard back. Have I done everything I need to do? I've heard horror stories of dogs being taken away for this. I've also heard that animal control can seize your dog for 10 days and quarantine them to make sure they aren't sick. This dog is so fearful of adults, and if that happens, it will really be the end of him. I know he's a good dog, and in my opinion, he was just protecting us from someone coming into the house. It wasn't like he ran out the door - she came in. I just want to make sure I covered my bases for our end, too. I don't know her very well since she just moved in, but she seems nice, and I don't think she'd really do anything, but you never know.

Thanks for any advice you all give. I know this was a long read.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would try to get your neighbor to have the bite checked out. If the skin is broke they will probably want to put her on antibiotics, just to be safe. At least that is what they did when my sis was bitten by a neighbor's dog. I'm hoping your dog is up to date on all of his shots.

Hopefully your neighbor won't make a big deal of this. After all, she did kind of push her way into your house, and most dogs would not like some stranger coming in like that. And that was really not too bright on your neighbor's part.

Try not to worry about what might happen. It sounds like your neighbor realizes that she is partly to blame and doesn't want to cause any trouble.

 

[ducklite]

Is your dog up-to-date on his rabies shots?

Anne

 

[mookie]

Is your dog up-to-date on his rabies shots?

Anne

yes, he's fully covered on all his shots, so we have no worries there.

 

[Princess~Fun]

Is your dog up-to-date on his rabies shots?

Anne

If your dogs up to date, I really wouldn't worry. You did everything you could, you can't make her go but at least your suggesting it.

Don't worry!
-Princess~Fun

 

[Sherri]

Your dog was doing nothing but protecting you which his insticts told him to do. When my cat bit me and I ended up in the hospital for a week, we were told that the vet would need to quarentine him, because he was up to date on his shots, my Vet, allowed us to do this at home. My husband had a check list of things to look for.
But I think that all depends on your Vet.
You weren't at fault at all.

 

[RitaZ.]

I was bit by a dog in April. Unlike your neighbor, I did nothing to provoke the bite. I had to have a tetanus shot, antibiotic injection (almost passed out from the pain- I have no problem with needles) and oral antibiotics for 10 days.

The hospital didn't report the bite to our local animal control, but I did. The owner was fined for the unprovoked bite and for not having the dog's shots up-to-date. The dog also had to quarantined for 10 days, but it was done in their home. I still have the teeth marks on my arm.

Your neighbor should really get the bite looked at. Better safe than sorry.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I would make three seperate attempts to get her to go the doctor. If she refused all three that should cover you. Too many times I have heard from the doctor "if you would have just come in right away..."

MIkeeee

 

[Val]

I am NOT a lawyer, but do have a dog that was abused and can be aggressive if threatened. Been there and done that....First, contact your homeowners insurance agent- you may be covered by insurance if this grows big. Second, offer to pay any medical expenses. Third, you need to do some training with the dog, although you can never trust him again.....

.....we have a golden who "can't hold his licker", and then our abused rescue hound/?? mix (probably rottie or boxer or something similar). She gets upset when she thinks we are threatended, and earlier this summer bit our 8 year old neighbor girl on the rear during a game of "tag". Thank goodness the neighbors are friends, but it was a severe warning to us. We 1) immediately contacted our insurance agent and found we WERE covered (although a claim would really affect our rates); 2) hired a trainer for the dog. We taught her to go to her "place' on a rug when the doorbell rings/people knock. That way she doesn't rush the door aggressively; 3) we crate her whenever kids are visiting, just to be on the safe side, 4) she NEVER goes outside in the front without a leash; and 5) we do have a muzzle. I am gradually socializing her to different people, but use the muzzle so she won't have the opportunity to bite.

We know we can never trust our Lilly-puppy again, but we are willing to deal with her behavior. Thank goodness our golden is likely to only slobber someone to death! Dog training is critical, as we learned the hard way. Its not the dog's fault- the dogs are just protecting their pack, which a really good thing. Unfortunately, they can't tell neighbors from "bad guys".....sometimes at 9 at night when the neighbors wear dark coats and you act surprised they are just going on instinct!

....good luck. We will keep you and your dear puppy in our thoughts and prayers!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yes, she should be seen medically and they probably will start her on antibiotics. If she hasn't had a tetanus shot, they'll offer her that too, but it's optional if she doesn't want it. It's good that you called and showed concern. You might check with your vet to see if there's anything else you should do as far as your dog's concerned.

You might think about some "doorway etiquette" training with your dogs. As the kids get older, it's harder to prevent them from opening the door right away when the bell rings, especially if you're on the toilet or something (speaking from experience ). Or I guess you could have everyone learn to put the dogs out back before the door is opened. We do both in our house, depending on who's there (strangers, out back; friends, doorway etiquette).

Sorry this happened. It does sound like your dog was protecting you. Good luck, hope it works out alright.

 

[daisyduck123]

I'm sorry that happened to your neighbor. I do know that I would not keep a dog like that if I had young children in the house. When the kids get older, they will start having playdates, which means you will have many strange children & their parents over.

 

[mookie]

You might think about some "doorway etiquette" training with your dogs. As the kids get older, it's harder to prevent them from opening the door right away when the bell rings, especially if you're on the toilet or something (speaking from experience ). Or I guess you could have everyone learn to put the dogs out back before the door is opened. We do both in our house, depending on who's there (strangers, out back; friends, doorway etiquette).

I do really like this idea, and we'll probably try to enforce it somehow. A trainer is a great idea, too. He's 5 - but things would be so much easier if I didn't have to battle 8 other legs at the door in the first place.

 

[Christine]

She really needs to go to the doctor. Animal bites get infected easily.

One of my dogs bit my dad and he required stitches. The hospital reported it to animal control. They came out and visited us and just wanted to know the circumstances of the bite. Nothing bad happened.

I agree with the doorway etiquette. My dogs always "rushed" the door. I taught them (and they were 4 years old) to go up the stairs and wait on the landing whenever someone knocked or rang the doorbell.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Doorway training is easy.
Just recruit some people (start with family first and work your way up) and then when the dogs "go bananas" make them sit quietly or shoo them away.
Create a invisible barrier that they cannot cross when you are answering the door.

We have one dog that will sit quietly and the other who is our "skiddish" dog we send away.
I know it sounds cruel but the dogs actually prefer to have you take charge and tell them how they should be behaving.

It takes time and we are still "in-training". Good Luck!

Oh and as far as the dog bite the person NEEDS antibiotics. To not take any is folly on her part and she could come back at you with this.

 

[Carole]

My last dog bit my niece. She reached behind a gated area to pet him - first and only time he ever bit anyone. Never was certain what caused him to bite. Her mom took her to the doctor for a shot and antibiotics. The doctor's office reported it and a deputy sheriff came to the house. We had to quarantine him at home for ten days.

 

[MichelleVW]

I agree with the doorway etiquette. My dogs always "rushed" the door. I taught them (and they were 4 years old) to go up the stairs and wait on the landing whenever someone knocked or rang the doorbell.

That's a good trick...I need to do that with mine. I have them so they sit and stay before they go outside, but they go nuts when people walk in the door. It's too late for the 15 year old, (not that she can go nuts anymore anyway! but it would be great for the other two)

She needs to go to the doctor for sure....and also needs to learn not to barge into people's houses that have dogs....just common sense!!

 

[C.Ann]

Any type of puncture wound can easily result in gas gangrene if just the right bacteria is present.. I nearly lost my right hand a few years ago due to gas gangrene after a puncture wound.. It required emergency surgery - a long stay in the hospital on a cocktail of antibiotics - and I was sent home with a central IV line of antibiotics that I had to drag around for a month and required a visiting nurse every other day..

She definitely should be seen by a doctor.. As for the dog, training is crucial so that something like this doesn't happen again.. There are certain commands you can use if you are actually in danger and need protection from your dog.. Otherwise the dog shoud know when to respond and when not to..

 

[robinb]

She needs to go to the doctor for sure....and also needs to learn not to barge into people's houses that have dogs....just common sense!!

In the neighbor's defense she was probably just trying to be helpful by opening the door for the OP who was struggling with a sleeping child and two barking dogs. And yes, she should go to the doctor.

I'm sorry mookie, but I wouldn't be able to trust this dog again . My guess is your dog bit because he was afraid, not because he was protecting you. As your kids get older there will be too many people in and out of the house. A fear biter is far too dangerous in that situation unless you keep him crated whenever guests are around. Even then, another innocent mistake like your neighbors could result is a bite that is much, much worse.

 

[Pigeon]

First, contact your homeowners insurance agent- you may be covered by insurance if this grows big.

Do NOT do this. Repeat, do NOT do this.

Pay her medical bills out of pocket. Even if it gets expensive.

We had a dog bite my SIL. Long story, but she really needed biting. My brother told us to contact the homeowners insurance, which we did. Bad, bad, bad mistake. Their investigator basically agreed that my SIL had acted very foolishly.

However, they told us they would cancel our homeowners insurance unless we put the dog down or got rid of him. (We have had this very highly rated company for 20 years, and have never made a homeowers claim before this.) Fortunately, they worded one of their letters a little strangely, which gave us some wiggle room, and we ended up not having to kill our dog. But it was sooo stressful, and if they hadn't been a little bit off on the wording, we would have been sunk. We contacted many other insurance companies, but no one would cover us unless we got rid of the dog.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm sorry that happened to your neighbor. I do know that I would not keep a dog like that if I had young children in the house. When the kids get older, they will start having playdates, which means you will have many strange children & their parents over.

I have to disagree with this. For one, most play dates will not be at 9 pm when it is dark. I would think that that had something to do with the dog being agressive. Also, this person was a stranger to the dog. Any time someone comes over we take the time to be sure our dog is comfortable with them in the house, and that the person is aware that we have a dog. The person in the Op's post was not invited into the house, she kind of shouldered her way in. At night, with her human holding a child, someone pushed their way into the dog's house. He was being protective. That is a different situation that having kids invited over during the day.
I would hope that my dog would take offense to someone forcing their way into my house.