A few days ago i was bringing my dog out for her walk. Our front door opens into an alley way so when i heard voices approaching i made her sit and wait for the people to pass. While she was sitting patiently by the front door another dog (GSD) wanders through our open gate and comes face to face with my girl. There were still no people to bee seen, only voices, and my girl's response to my shock and the appearance of this dog was to warn it off. So she lunges and catches the dog with a warning bite, as the dog goes to run she goes with it and me along with her. People then emerge with a swift kick at my girl to dislodge her, the dog carries on running my girl lets go and the owner of the other dog ends up on the floor as my girl stands at my side, growling and in a defensive position. I quickly take my girl back indoors and go right out to the other dogs owner to see if they are ok. The dog looks fine, the owner shaken and on comes the onslaught of abuse. this i put down to shock and appologise for my girls behaviour ( deeply ment of course i would never allow this to happen) and tell the dogs owner to take the dog to the vets for a check up and to deliver the bill to me and i will pay it immediately. The result was a couple of staples for 2 deep puncture wounds and a course of antibiotics just in case.

I make a point of having my dogs fitted with a good quality, strong leather half check collar and a short lead so in any stressful situations they are under as much control as i can provide. In this situation my dog didnt have any more than 1ft of room to move and that was shortened to a few inches in the few seconds the "attack" (for want of a better word) lasted. The gate os a good 6 feet from the front door so the dog really was on a very long lead.

In the mean time i popped out for a muzzle, given the climate i thought it best to keep her under more stringent control.
The owner returns shortly after with a paid bill and demands the cash on the spot. Luckily i had over £80 in the house! After another barrage of abuse, threats of the partner paying a visit and a quibble over 17 pence of the bill that i didnt have on me in change the owner tells me that they havent decided whether or not to press charges and stomps off.

My concern is that despite my efforts, offer and paying of the vet bill and acceptance of this persons upset without retaliating to the abuse i recieved i may still have charges against me.
I was wondering if anyone had been in a similar situation and what came of it? Having spoken to friends they have stated that they certainly would not have paid the vet bill given that the dog was on a flexy lead (regardless of it wearing a head halti) and wandering randomly into peoples gardens.

Any help gratefully recieved.

did you get a reciopt (signed bit of paper) for the £80 you handed over to them????
Lea :)

Yes i have a hand written reciept with names addresses and signatures, i saw the vet bill and read it thuroughly and also phoned the vet before i handed any money over.

To be honest I wouldn't have paid a penny or apologised, I'd have been livid -it was the other dog's fault (or rather the other owner). What are you worried you could be charged with? A dog biting another is not a crime, and the dog came onto your property which isn't even a public place. Presumably the other owner just got knocked over by EITHER of the dogs by accident?

Yes in hind sight i shouldnt have paid it but i felt so guilty that my girl had inflicted such damage (or potential damage) to another dog. I was angry that this person made it out to be my fault, as you say it was their dog wandering and not under control. What i found more disturbing was that this GSD is a rescue and on a loose lead in a street full of families with young children and that its temperament is questionnable under stress. I just wanted to calm the situation as quickly as possible and not  to have a full scale riot on my hands over the behaviour of dogs.

The owner was dragged by her own dog while apparently trying to reel it in. I remained upright and in control of my dog given the circumstances.

I can understand why you paid and I'd probably have done the same even though it was really their fault - in the heat of the moment I would want to calm the situation too. I wouldn't worry about charges though, you have done more than enough to make amends for this accident and if they turn up again then they would get short shrift from me and a phone call to the police for threatening behaviour. The police wont deal with complaints about one dog biting another, but they would take a dim view of the threats to you.

The owner should have been grateful you were so understanding about having another dog on you property.  Think of it like this, if that same dog came through the gate and meet a cat you owned and the dog got attacked would you still have paid?
If two dogs are in public and attack each other it is an unspoken custom for you to pay each others vet bill for any damages but that is only in a public space.
Would this person allow a small child to randomly run into peoples gardens, I think not.  I would have had a serious go at them for not having their dog under control.

I understand why you did it as if the same thing happened to me I would feel sorry for the other dog.
I would guess your dog has never done this before and I doubt they would do it again in a public area as it was just protecting the territory, so dont act too much like your dog is dangerous otherwise people will perceive it like that and the wrong words go round very quickly.

Emma

I do feel sorry for this situation that happened out of the blue..but really look at the facts in your dogs mind..a strange large dog suddenly appears in her face out of the blue while she was sitting for you. For one it is in her territory that for her was under threat that is why she reacted so severely to this random dog. I for one would of not apologized only had a go at the other people for kicking my dog ! Think about it- these people might let there dog trot down your alley way all the time, like it owns the area and your dog picked up on that, the dogs might even of sniffed each other before through your gate which upset your dog?  Having a large german shepard on a flexi lead is not a safe thing to do anyway in a built up area the dog should be beside you and only allowed to mooch about sniffing etc when you can see what they are up to and in a field or park not an alleyway! its just as bad has having their dog off a lead if you ask me. For them to become hostile with you after and upset the situation more was a bad move on there part, you did a very kind thing and thought of their dogs welfare by paying for any damage, so for them to be like that to you after giving them £80 is disgusting. If you receive any more grief from these people contact the police and inform them of the situation they sound like bad people anyway to of kicked your dog. 

Thanks for the replies. I know of this person through friends and have encountered them in their work place and they have always been nasty. I have been warned that they can be a nasty piece of work and will try to milk the situation so i'm going to have to be firm and as people have said, get on to the police if they continue to harass me over the issue. So far they haven't been back, so fingers crossed they have gotten bored and found someone else to pick on lol.

I don't know whether or not to carry on with the muzzle? My dad often walks the dogs for me if im at work and if a similar situation arose with him at the other end of the lead the outcome may be very different given that my dogs answer very well to me but may not respond as well to someone else? Even if it was just until we reach the field and then once in the open space i could take it off to allow a good old sniff about. They are still walked on the lead in the fields, i never let them run free as Akitas arent the kind of breed you can allow off lead. I've never had this happen and have found it very upsetting, the fear of it getting out of hand and my dog being blamed for it and serious actions being taken against her have left me worried about even leaving the house with her.

They were lucky it was no worse, letting their dog wander into the territory of a guarding breed like that! I would probably have paid the bill as I would also have been very sorry my dog had caused damage, but if they try to press charges they should have no chance, their dog was out of control on YOUR property!

i agree, i would have paid too, but def NOT your fault, dogs DO bite, its a natural thing, the other owner was at fault for having her dog un supervised & uninvited on your property.dont worry!!!!!

Its terrible the way they are treating you, not sure if I would have paid as the dog was on your property!  (but then again if they are nasty and they knew where I lived perhaps its a small price to pay to stop any further hassle)

I wouldnt muzzle your dog, perhaps take caution when exiting your house, after all I think its pretty natural, she was guarding her teritory and you! can you not put a gate on to stop dogs strolling in?

ust out of curiosity, what happens if a dog bites a person who has come onto their property uninvited?

Ive never been in that situation fortunately. But all i can say is that I dont think anyone in a rational mind could say it was your fault. For you to pay the vets bill was very generous and they should be grateful for it. Afterall, their dog was NOT under control and they allowed it to stray onto your property.  The police will almost certainly not be interested in this. And if they do take it further it will more than likely come out in your favor because they should not have allowed their dog onto your property in the first place.I cant understand why people use halti's if they are going to walk the dog on a 20ft bit of string?

Think I'd write a detailed account of the event while it's still absolutely fresh in my mind as it's easy to forget little details after a while. If I saw the person again & they started with abuse think I'd calmly mention the CCTV footage & how the dog was on your property. It might just shut them up.

I have got a written account safely tucked away with the hand written reciept, i thought of that one after the barrage i recieved when paying.

I'm really pleased that people outside of the situation, i.e. not connected to me, also say that the owner of the other dog was at fault. As i said before friends said it was but you kind of think that they are telling you what you want to hear lol.

Fortunately i haven't seen or heard anything from these people so my guess is that they've asked around and been told exactly what you are all saying here.

I've carried on with the muzzle for now and i'm taking it off when we get into open space (we back onto a large field so we walk there 4 times a day) where i can see any other dogs coming and whip it back on if they approach. I really don't want a repeat of this incident regardless of who can be to blame lol! With the older girl becoming quite ill and grumpy in her old age i'd rather be safe than sorry and although the young girl (who was involved in this situation) is easily controlled with a firm word and short lead i'd rather she didnt have a repeat and get a name for herself.

Many thanks for all of your advice, you have all been great!

I think the muzzle (I assume its a basket type not one of these horrible nylon things) is a good idea. It will help you to become confident again and that is important when you are dealing with guarding breeds. Also a good idea with your dad, as you say he may not be able to deal with the dogs should there be a problem. Once you have your confidence back you can decide whether to continue with the muzzle or not but I think that if it helps you in the short term then keep on with it.

Angelz my understanding is that if a dog bites someone on your premise the dog is still in the wrong. I rember a case of a burgalar who got bitten and he charged the householder for having a dangerous dog. Its a bit like us injuring someone who breaks into our home you have to only use enough restraint and becareful not to hurt them (sorry getting a bit sarcastic there!)

> my understanding is that if a dog bites someone on your premise the dog is still in the wrong

no its not, the dangerous dogs act does not apply on private property. i think its legally understood that dogs will guard a specific territorry so if they defend their 'den' agains an intruder its not illegal.

It is the case that if your dog bite someone in your property you could not be charged with having a dangerous dog out of control because it states it has to be in a public area not in your home or garden. I heard the story of the thief suing the owner of the dog who attacked him!! beggars belief but there you go... cover yourself by always making sure (just in case) you have a sign on any access gates Saying BEWARE OF THE DOG then the burglars can have a little think about to steal from you or not and realise the potential danger LOL.
I remember hearing that persons were getting busted by the drugs squad so the police raided the house and took in 4 police dogs they knew the owner had a aggressive dog , Well everyone knew this dog was a cat & dog killer but the police still took there dogs into their house why god only knows- result 4 dead police dogs! when the police tried to get this dog put to sleep it could not be done as the police knew about Ruben and his nasty ways and it was in the dogs own house. I'm sure now that the police could and would be-able to do something now this was about 20 years ago.

I think you have been incredibly generous in a situation caused by someone else not controlling their dog. The other people have no reason to make any complaint, if they had been paying attention to their dog in the first place this would never have happened.

It is often the case that when people realise they are in the wrong they kick up a big stink to try and bully you into thinking it is your fault.  It's just their way of dishonestly dealing with their guilt.

I think you have behaved responsibly, and taken steps with your dog to prevent this happening again. I hope you don't have anymore come back from this person.

I think you reacted the best you could in the situation presented to you.  I dont know if I would have paid them so quickly, as it was their fault for having a dog on your property. 
I dont know if I would use a muzzle.  It kinda gives unlookers an impression that your dog is a mean dog.  It adds more fuel to the fire, for lack of better words. 
If these people keep harrassing you, for more money, threats of charges, tell them that you arent scared, and that if they want to keep harassing you, you will inform the local police department.  Keep records of everything. 

I rang the police a few years ago to ask that if you put warning signs up stating you have dogs and an intruder is bitten are you are still liable if they are injured the answer was 'yes' you can be prosecuted they told me that the signs are really a waste of time .

I rang the police a few years ago to ask that if you put warning signs up stating you have dogs and an intruder is bitten are you are still liable if they are injured the answer was 'yes' you can be prosecuted they told me that the signs are really a waste of time

that isn't exactly correct

under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1992 you cannot be on the end of a criminal prosecution if your dog bites a person in your own garden or house, as that is classed as private property, and the DDA only applies to public places.

however, you can be on the receiving end of a private prosecution under the Dogs Act  1871. that is where signage comes in. if you have warning signs, they are regarded, in law, as an admission of liablity that you knowingly own a dog that is dangerous to people. this would wrk against you under the 1871 act.
therefore, "warning guard dogs" type signs are a bad idea.
however, you can display signs which 'imply' a warning, such as "dogs running free", which would not be regarded as an admission of liablility, but simply giving out information.

the DDA can apply to dog on dog aggression if an owner feels they were under threat during an altercation, as under the DDA, you only have to feel you are under threat from a dog, not actually be harmed by one.

thats how i thought things stood as well.

Well I think you behaved very responsibly although I am not sure whether you needed to pay the bil, but certainly a nice gesture. However, a dog biting a dog and on its own property in my opinion  means that your dog is not at fault. If they come on strong again I would point this out and say that any further problems will be followed up with a counter case as your dog was properly leashed and on its own property. We were only discussing this today on our park. there are two very nasty Jack Russells and its owner is just as bad. Now I have had problems with these dogs before as has many others dog owners. Today we have been told of  Scottie who put his nose through the broken fence to look at them. They have stripped his nose. Now, I am very annoyed that this dog is another victim of these two dogs, however, his nose was through their fence. The only case I could see against them is that the owner should keep his fencing in better order. His dogs are the ones that have broken the fence to get at other dogs in the past.  Could you not perhaps have a word with the Police and put your mind at rest. Then you could at least respond that you have been to the Police and they cannot take any action.

Again thanks for more replies!

I havent heard anything so it looks like they have dropped it. Thanks to everyone here i'm well armed against another visit should these people decide to pay me one lol.

We have a problem with dogs off lead in our area, friends and neighbours insist upon having their dogs off lead and wandering freely around my house which is why ive always had good strong collars and leads. One of these dogs is a JRT and it has a tendancy to run at other dogs barking, hackles up and generally being unfriendly then runs off.

The muzzles will stay for leaving the house and returning, i have been taking them off while in the field for a good old snoot about (its no fun for a dog to go for a walk and not be ble to IMO).

Sorry to hear of your Stress hun :(

I would have paid too, as even though the dog came into your garden and your property your dog still shouldnt have attacked it technically as that could be taken by them as anything that goes into your garden is attacked be it dog/child etc, not that I am at all condong the other persons actions of being so damned rude and offensive when you were clearly more then happy to pay the bill :(
If I had been that person I would have been shocked at the sudden attack but also been so grateful at your helpfulness and offering to pay any charges, like us responsible dog owners do if our dog bites another.

You did the right thing by paying up straight away, as who knows, they probably could have sued you for having a dangerous dog on your premises with no warning signs to people, so better to pay up and get them out of your hair and if they DO come back you have proof you paid their bill and was completely cooperative in doing so.

I hope they leave you well alone now as you have done 100% the right thing and been a responsible dog owner with buying a muzzle etc, I wouldnt feel guilty about it but would deffo shut my gate from now on just in case!! :)