Same dog has bit my dog 2 times in the last 6 months

Submitted by Plenty_Library2183 t3_11a8x17 in washingtondc

Long story short. There is a dog on my street that is always off leash. The owner is always walking the dog off leash. He is 20 pounds. I have a 60 pound dog who is a total sweetheart. This dog has bit my dog twice. Because he is only 20 pounds he has been unsuccessful at actually hurting my dog. I have called the humane society/animal control twice. They knock on the owners door, confirms their shots are up to date, give them a warning and leave.

I have spoken to them. They continue to do this when they think no one is "around" which is why this dog keeps biting my dog because it happens when I walk down the steps of our home and the owner can't catch the dog in time. FYI, I have been totally unsuccessful in protecting my dog in either biting incident.

What can I do? I feel at this point I am just waiting for this dog to be successful in injuring my dog before I can actually do anything?

64

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

pomegranatecloud t1_j9qrfmk wrote

Call animal control every single time you see the dog off a leash and remind them each time that the dog is aggressive and has already bitten your dog twice but continues to be let loose. I’d ask other dog owners and neighbors if they have had issues and encourage them to call too if they have.

71

Charming-Comfort-175 t1_j9thepq wrote

This is the correct answer. Call the Human Rescue Alliance each time. Take pics if you can. If you only call when things are bad they're gonna think it's isolated.

1

Savageride t1_j9r61do wrote

Last time this happens I kicked the other dog, not hard but you know get away!

56

DcDonkey t1_j9tu04q wrote

2nd vote for kicking the other dog.

18

missesT1 t1_j9r1yez wrote

Our old neighbor had a 15 pound dog that kept attacking our 68 pound dog. That little bastard eventually punctured the skin on his leg (near ankle) and it was gnarly. During that incident our dog bit back for the first time and it got ugly. I guess my advice is, don’t let it go.

54

rlpw t1_j9ulwos wrote

> hat incident our dog bit back for the first time and it got ugly. I guess my advice is, don’t let it go. I hope you had it documented so that the owners of the 15 pound dog couldn't argue that your dog was the aggressor.

4

missesT1 t1_j9wdeko wrote

We had documented it, and chowder was a well known asshole. I guess because he was small, his owners just assumed it wasn’t a big deal…until it was.

1

blootereddragon t1_j9rq0iu wrote

Google "Pet Corrector" (comes in a red can and is <$10 on Amazon). Spray it at the aggressor. It's basically compressed air but EXTREMELY effective at stopping animals; I've seen it effectively used to break up dog fights. You can't possibly get in trouble and it'll send the little monster scurrying away.

50

gator_fl t1_j9qrie9 wrote

If your ANC Commissioner is the kind that soothes tensions, ask them to visit that house and let them know about leash laws.

49

VodgeDiper_10 t1_j9rgefi wrote

I love dogs but would kick tf outta that dog next time it comes near me or my dog

26

IcyWillow1193 t1_j9t97do wrote

Keep calling animal control. Their response will escalate for recurring incidents.

14

CountNaberius t1_j9qx2cm wrote

VA law (unsure of D.C. but I bet it’s similar) prohibits legal action against dog bites if it’s the first indication of aggression. Since you’re well beyond that, and have documented instances of prior aggression, I’d go ahead and tell the owner of that dog that you will pursue legal action if they don’t leash their dog from now on, even if you don’t intend to. Keep pestering animal control / ANC commissioner as well.

13

solidrecommendations t1_j9rqx4s wrote

That’s not true. You can take legal action against an owner of a dog that’s never bitten before. It’s just easier if the dog has.

11

CountNaberius t1_j9rrgd9 wrote

In VA, on the first offense, you have to prove negligence or violation of an animal control law to get compensation. Again, not sure about D.C. law.

−3

CountNaberius t1_j9rrcel wrote

https://dogbitelaw.com/one-bite-state/virginia-dog-bite-law/amp

−4

solidrecommendations t1_j9rro7v wrote

Did you even read this? It doesn’t say what you think it says. Please show me where it says “VA law … prohibits legal action against dog bites if it’s the first indication of aggression.”

Don’t spread misinformation.

10

CountNaberius t1_j9rs8pr wrote

Sure, you can still pursue legal action, you can pursue legal action for someone sneezing on you, but the one bite rule makes it much harder to get compensation from the owner / have them be held liable without proving negligence.

Don’t be a dick.

−10

solidrecommendations t1_j9rug1v wrote

How am I being a dick? You said something wrong. I said from the outset it’s easier to win if the dog bit before.

11

TheDeHymenizer t1_j9u59wj wrote

>Virginia holds a person legally liable for a dog bite if the person owns the dog and knew or should have known it previously bit or acted like it wanted to bite a person, or if the person's negligence or violation of an animal control law caused the bite to happen. Unfortunately this is one of the states that does not have a strict liability dog bite statute.

Where is he wrong exactly?

>Virginia dog bite laws tell the people that it is okay for their dog to bite someone, once. That they are not responsible for it. That there is no consequence when it happens. That they can look the other way. Shrug it off. Forget about it.

IE you said his own link showed the opposite of what he was saying but a quick skimming of it shows exactly what he was saying.

−1

solidrecommendations t1_j9u6fdv wrote

It doesn’t though. It just says that Virginia doesn’t have strict liability for bites unless it’s a known issue. It also says you can still sue on a negligence theory, however. So saying you can’t be held liable until after a first bite is incorrect. It’s just way easier once strict liability is in play.

5

BlakeClass t1_j9r57x9 wrote

Next time it’s loose and you have your dog, I wouldn’t try to hurt the other dog necessarily, but I’d rush it/ charge it in a way to where the owner wasn’t comfortable leaving it off the lease around me anymore.

I’d do this while not saying anything to the dog or the owner. The dog will run away, just trust me. Owner will probably yell and call him/her. And I’d carry on my walk with my dog without acknowledging the owner or what just happened.

11

gutterbrain73 t1_j9qkyp0 wrote

Pepper spray etc.?

8

psa_throwaway t1_j9qs0hl wrote

Most dogs will bite through fear/aggression, which could get worse by pepper spraying even if the dog runs away after you were to spray it. Pepper spraying the dog won’t stop it from happening repeatedly-the owner needs to stop being shitty.

If they’ve already gotten someone to come out and give a warning that’s more than I’d have expected. I’d asked the animal control to follow up on the warning with a fine.

3

Southern_Name_9119 t1_j9t163m wrote

Pepper spray works. I’ve used it on more than one dog back in the day. I grew up out in the country and I am a runner. Nobody chains their dogs. Pepper spray always stopped them in their tracks. Also, they used to hand that stuff to us specifically for dogs back when I worked for a utility company and had to go to a lot of houses. It works.

3

fronthacker t1_j9t1flr wrote

This is what animal control is for

8

Oldmajor13 t1_j9t8zdm wrote

I've had a similar experience where the dog actually broke skin. So not knowing that dog's vaccination status I took my pet to the Vet. They called the Department of Health and an investigator was at my door within minutes of returning from the vet. He was dressed like a cop but worked for the health department. He took a report and spent a week looking for the other dog before finding them and issuing citations and a ticket.

All in all better and quicker than DC cops

8

Eascen t1_j9tbid0 wrote

Pepper spray or whatever postman keep to keep dogs away, air horn. Start making a scene.

6

TheDeHymenizer t1_j9u4zkv wrote

pepper spray is probably not a good idea because it'll be VERY hard to spray their dog w/o spraying your own if they're in a tussle

2

John-Basedow t1_j9rl1bw wrote

Step 1 complain about it on Reddit

Step 2 bring an extra leash with you

Step 3 leash the dog and steal it

Step 4 train the dog

Step 5 return the dog

Step 6 see massive financial returns

5

Page-This t1_j9sdwx8 wrote

Step 7 screw cocaine

Step 8 snort hookers

3

PrettyPinkDiamond t1_j9s5t6a wrote

I have a very very small dog that I have to walk in an area where people allow pit bulls to roam unleashed. There is no way I can fight a pit bull. So I went to Amazon and purchased a hiking stick that doubles as a taser. I think it’s called a hike and strike. Best purchase ever as it gives me peace of mind. I am completely ready to use it if need be.

4

eneka t1_j9umbnf wrote

FYI to properly deal with a dog that’s latched on, you choke it out. Grab their collar and twist to stop their airway or their neck if they don’t have a collar on

2

briangraper t1_j9u77sz wrote

Next time kick the shit out of it.

4

Playful-Translator49 t1_j9qjxob wrote

Foster an aggressive dog and let it solve the problem for you? I mean don’t actually do this but probably would fix the issue especially if Kujo was fully leashed.

2

charlottesville_rose t1_j9tycwe wrote

Could I ask what neighborhood you are in? I have had similar issues with a dog near Walter Pierce dog park.

2

bstale t1_j9u2rlo wrote

People with small dogs think they can get away with anything

2

RealUrsalee t1_j9uvy7f wrote

I have a dog... I would kick another dog that is attacking mine...

2

Lakeshowtc t1_j9tlhgw wrote

Pretty simple punt kick the shit out of the little rat dog

1

Possible_Scarcity_49 t1_j9urfe2 wrote

There was bull dog on a leash not being controlled by his 8 year old human at a playground and under the play structure while parent was off to the side indifferent. He was nipping at kids “because he likes kids” and lunged towards and knocked over a toddler. Glad that’s all that happened.

1

richraid21 t1_j9v92it wrote

I would just carry a shovel and beat the shit out of it. At the very least wear boots and kick it.

1

dc1008 t1_j9w236h wrote

Kick it

1

Taco_Fries t1_ja9lo27 wrote

Kick the dog and bite the owner

1

madevilfish t1_j9r26qb wrote

A last resort to protect yourself and your dog is to grab the attacking dog's collar (if you can), pull up and toward the dog's nose so its front paws are off the ground, and twist. The collar will cut off the dog's oxygen and make it blackout. But if you do it too long, you will kill the dog FYI.

Hopefully, it won't come to that.

−16

[deleted] t1_j9qp0z8 wrote

[removed]

−58

steveaustin69 t1_j9rbf81 wrote

what a dumbass response

18

[deleted] t1_j9rbrex wrote

[removed]

−24

steveaustin69 t1_j9rcm3z wrote

ok. let me phrase it like this. if i walk up and kick your dog and don’t injure it you gonna be ok w it? it only got hurt a little bit.

10

RandomLogicThough t1_j9rczhq wrote

...I'm literally SAYING if it ISNT hurt, aka shows no pain being felt, then it isn't effecting shit. Ie, If NO PAIN happens then...wtf does it matter? Holy shit you guys really are this stupid...every time it still surprises me. /We had a West Highland Terrier that used to bite our other (Newfoundland) and they didn't even pay her any attention so I know it can happen.

−24

TinyAngryHippo t1_j9toxqi wrote

An attack itself is harmful, even in the absence of a physical injury.

It emotionally impacts OP because the simple every day act of walking their dog is no longer peaceful…they have to be on guard for their neighbor’s aggressive dog that is allowed to randomly roam loose on the street.

Repeated attacks (even without physical injury) will likely result in the dog being attacked developing aggressive behaviors.

There is way more to this than “dog feel no ouchie hurtie, it no big dealy wheelie,” and it is not moronic to expect dogs to be kept on leash in public spaces.

1