What responsibility does the pet owner have?

[tiggerlover]

Over the weekend a little girl was bit by a neighborhood dog. Apparently the owners were out and had their three dogs in their fenced yard. Not sure of the exact details, but one of the dogs broke through the fence or the fence was broken to begin with, but some how one of the dogs got out and bit this girl in the thigh. Her parents called 911, who in turn called Animal Control. The dog ruined a brand new pair of pants, (if you make an L with your left hand that is the size of the tear in the pants) and the girl needed medical attention, which she spent over 3 hours waiting/getting medical care. (She will be okay, but is very upset about the whole things, especially her pants!)

So my question is what responsibility does the pet owner have? I do not have dogs, but I think if I did and I found out this all occured when I wasn't home I would want to find out who this happened to and at least apologize and see how the child was doing. To date the family has not heard a peep from the dogs owners. Since I know there are a lot of dog owners on the DIS I thought I would pose this question to you to see what would you do.

Thanks.

 

[alliecats]

I would apologize profusely if my dog did something like that to a child, even if I did everything within the realm of imagination to prevent it. Not that I have a dog. But I bet they are being skeevy because they don't want to get sued or open a conversation that might result in them being asked to pay for pants or medical care. I think they'd be a lot less likely to be sued if they took the high road.
Was the dog returned?

 

[minkydog]

If my dog got out and bit a child, I would be devastated. Just because he never has doesn't mean he never will. I believe the owner can be fined for not keeping the dog secured, whether it was an accident or not. Hopefully the owner will come to their senses and realize that a heartfelt and quick apology *might* be in his best interest. Not that the parents don't have the right to sue the pants off him...

 

[Miller1412]

Ultimately, the dog owners are responsible. Even on their own property, if a dog is not friendly and kids are around, you can't assume the kid will stay away from the dog.

Sadly, just today in my county a little girl was mauled by a pit bull and half of her scalp was bitten off. She will never grow hair again and may lose her voice and some limb control from being shaken so hard by the dog. The dog was loose and had bitten someone else about 3 months ago.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I think the owner of the dog should pay for all the medical bills and replace the little girl's jeans.

She's probably going to be afraid of dogs for a long time and may require counseling. I should think the owner would pay for a portion of that as well.

I cannot understand why people have dogs that are left in back yards with little or no attention...day in and day out. It's cruel. It sounds like these dogs could use some obedience training as well.

My neighbor's dogs bark the entire night long. I want to call them at 3 am when I can't sleep because of THEIR dogs and give them a piece of my mind. These are the same dogs who steal and eat my mail packages off my front porch.

 

[tiggerlover]

A different neighbor took responsibility for securing the dog until the owners came home. I know that Animal Control is supposed to be checking the dog over a 10 day period to be sure it doesn't have rabies.

The child is a military dependent so there are no out of pocket medical costs involved. But they sure would like the pants replaced....they were really nice pants! I told my friend if the owner didn't make contact by a week I would pay them a visit and ask them to replace the pants. I think it is the very least they can do. I am not sure if Animal Control provides information to the owners about the person attack, so I am not sure if they know who it is.

 

[tiggerlover]

I cannot understand why people have dogs that are left in back yards with little or no attention...day in and day out. It's cruel. It sounds like these dogs could use some obedience training as well.

I do not know anything about these people or their dogs. To give them the benefit of the doubt they could really love their dogs and just left them out because it was a nice day after some cold weather. I do not know if they knew if the fence was broken, so the owners could really just be guilty by association. I just don't know.

 

[Aidensmom]

IMO, the owners are responsible, no matter why the dog may have gotten out. If you put your dog outside, you need to make sure it is secured. If it actually bites someone, the owner needs to be doing all they can to make sure that person is OK and that their medical needs are taken care of, and replace any damaged property.

There is a house down the road from me with a broken gate and a very big dog, bigger than me, he's probably 150 lbs. The dog chases someone daily. I myself have been chased because I go running, and when he sees me run, he sees that as reason to chase. I have learned that I know have to walk the entire block that the house is on. I know that it is only an annoyance, but I shouldn't have to do that. A couple of weeks ago I was walking my own dog (a 15 lb Jack Russell Terrier) and the dog ran down out and tried to attack him, and when I picked my dog up, tried to attack me. The owner ran after him and was only concerned that her dog almost got hit by a car. Some people should not be pet owners.

 

[Cindyluwho]

IMO, the owners are responsible, no matter why the dog may have gotten out. If you put your dog outside, you need to make sure it is secured. If it actually bites someone, the owner needs to be doing all they can to make sure that person is OK and that their medical needs are taken care of, and replace any damaged property.

There is a house down the road from me with a broken gate and a very big dog, bigger than me, he's probably 150 lbs. The dog chases someone daily. I myself have been chased because I go running, and when he sees me run, he sees that as reason to chase. I have learned that I know have to walk the entire block that the house is on. I know that it is only an annoyance, but I shouldn't have to do that. A couple of weeks ago I was walking my own dog (a 15 lb Jack Russell Terrier) and the dog ran down out and tried to attack him, and when I picked my dog up, tried to attack me. The owner ran after him and was only concerned that her dog almost got hit by a car. Some people should not be pet owners.

You're exactly right. And some people should carry squirt guns filled with ammonia or canisters of pepper spray Seriously, I wouldn't allow a dog like that to come close to me. A dog like that needs to be taken care of.

 

[Aidensmom]

You're exactly right. And some people should carry squirt guns filled with ammonia or canisters of pepper spray Seriously, I wouldn't allow a dog like that to come close to me. A dog like that needs to be taken care of.

My pepper spray was confiscated from me. It is illegal here.

 

[twojo21]

depends on the law in your state but in illinois the pet owner is liable for any damage including medical. i work in insurance & this is becoming a big claim liability.

 

[Crankyshank]

How liable the pet owner is depends on the state, but I know if it were my dog I would be really upset and do whatever I could to make ammends.

I have a fenced in yard and my dogs are not allowed outside unless I am home and awake to watch them because one is an escape artist and I don't want him to get hurt or hurt someone else.

 

[cats7494]

If it were my dog, I would apologize and offer to pay any medical costs (I know you said they are military but still would offer) and would buy the girl a new pair of pants.
I would also fix the fence and find a better way to secure the dog so that it does not happen again.
Poor girl!

 

[Sherrypooh]

I know this is kinda off topic but... just cuz she is a military dependent, there is still a "reasonable cost/care" rate that needs to be filed with the local military facility. I work at a military facility in medical claims and yes, we are required to bill for such cases the owners of the dog all "reasonable cost". Sorry, military are no longer getting free medical care anymore.

 

[Disney Doll]

As a pet owner, I would say that you bear complete responsibility for the actions/behavior of your pet.

First of all, pets should never be left outside unattended. For the owner to put the pet in their fenced in backyard and leave for the day for work is unacceptable. What if the pet gets hurt? What if the pet gets stolen? What if the pet gets out and hurts someone? What if the weather changes and the pet gets struck by lightning? What if some rotten person mercilessly yeases the pet until they "snap" and bite him/her? There are so many scenarios that can happen with an unattended pet....

That being said, if my pet injured someone, I would be damn certain that I would pay any damages inflicted so that the injured party had no expense out of pocket. In this case, the medical costs were paid by insurance, but the child's pants were ruined. You can bet I'd be buying that kid a new pair of pants, or giving her money to go pick out a pair herself. And I know...that is admitting fault, but it is my fault. I think most people in this world would be pretty understanding if you just take responsibility.