Hi

Without going into all the details, if someone reports a dog for biting a child what happens?

Wendy

depends on how bad the bite is/was. if you mean reported to the police you will have to give statements and wait for c.p.s to decide what further action to take if any.

Hi

In this case the dog didnt bite but teeth may of made contact with skin while the two were playing even though I had asked the child to leave the dog alone

lets just say the grandfather who whitnessed the incident if you want to call it that hates me and is the biggest complaner out

Just wanting to cover my back here

Wendy

When a friend of mine was bitten recently she had to get her doctor (as an independent person) to take photographs of the bite wound and bruises as evidence for the police. Without that evidence there's no case.

if reported to the police they will them selves take photos that will be used as evidence

I reported someone last year for their dog biting my son.

The police came round, took a statement and asked what we wanted to do. They needed to see evidence of the bite, marks on the trousers etc and spoke to Zack. We didn't want to press charges, we just wanted the woman to see the seriousness of her actions. She had refused to give her details when he had bit Zack - we had to take her car reg. The dog was also out of control and I was on my horse at the time with my children on bikes.

The policeman went round and interviewed her under caution. She admitted everything and was submitted to a considerable telling off, whilst being told she was very lucky that we didn't want to press charges.

I didn't want it to be a witch hunt - but there was no way she was getting away with it 100%.

Good call, Carla :).  Is she local do you know if she is taking more precautions with the dogs?

Not seen her since - not suprised, I went a bit beserk :D

She said she was rehoming the dog - she had only just got it, and the rescue hadn't warned her. It was a collie cross and I suspect it was the bikes it was after, but it really was nasty. After it had a go at Zack it went to have a go at my 16.2 horse whilst I was still on board. Its a good job he's dog proof and stood stock still whilst I yelled at this dog to get away. She finally caught it and when Zack said "he bit me mummy" accused him of lying

I remember reading about that Chloe, i bet you wish you had of swiped her one with your crop! (if you had one) lol :D

At least you havent seen her about since :)

From your post it doesn't as though your dog was at fault, although i could be wrong. A few years back my dad was walking my partners dogs both on lead, who had previously been guard dogs. A jogger ran by from behind and the male dog bit the person. Rightly or wrongly after taking statements it was deemed the joggers fault. So i imagine it depends on the circumstances.

Hi

Dont think this will be going any further. On the way home from school the girl asked if she could stroke the dog. I said no as I was in a hurry. Her grandad was behind. Surley if she had been bitten she wouldnt be wanting to touch her again.

i am just going to have to make sure she keeps away from my dog.

Can I just add that if I thought for a instant my dog was likley to bite a child I would not take her on the school run. My other dog who loves kids is dog agressive and I dont take him as he will create with the other dogs being there and I am concerned someone may get hurt accidently.

louise123 My GSD almost bit a jogger once and I totally blame the jogger although I did appologise for my dogs behaviour. We were walking under a bridge and the jogger walks towards me says hello and starts to run when he is level with me. My dog chased him barking, he was right up his back and made it known he was not happy. I have never seen him do this before. He is ok with joggers but since the incident have leaded him when we see one just in  case. But I think it was the combination of the dark tunnel. him talking to me and running all at the same time.

Thanks

Wendy

Joggers should be allowed to jog wherever they like without fear of being bitten. As dog owners attitudes must change in this country before ALL dogs end up on leads and muzzled - because thats the way I can see things going. Having been through it with my son if ANY of my family get attacke by a dog again I will seriously consider my actions regarding the DDA. The woman who allowed her dog off the lead when he was unreliable could have caused a seriously nasty accident with my horse, if he had bolted. Was that my fault for riing past at the wrong time?

Many years ago when I was walking my dogs and chatting to a fellow dog-walker (male) we started laughing and he gave me a joky push. A split-second later my lab came flying through the air from behind, at head-height, teeth snapping. She'd assumed I was being attacked, and was defending me. Who would have been to blame if she'd bitten?

There is a big difference between you being pushed and a jogger running past and being chased and bitten.

I make no apologies for feeling strongly about this. Zack is frightened of strange dogs now, and if you had seen your 6 year old having to use his bike to defend himself against an dog barking, growling and snapping you might feel the same ;)

I quite agree that to dog owners (who know that dogs respond instinctively, not rationally, to situations) there's a difference between a dog defending and a dog attacking. But to non-dog owners there isn't - they're both dangerous biters. :(

I'm so sorry for poor Zack :( and hope that you can organise opportunities for him to overcome his fear, as it can be a terrible handicap. You're a sensible, competent woman and I'm sure you'll succeed. :)

Exactly, an unfortunately the dog owner is the one responsible :(

Trouble is, its done me no good either. I normally love all dogs but the only ones I'll touch now are Willis and Phoebe.

Sorry Chloe, but jogging doesn't absolve people of the responsibility of 'reading' their environment.

Some time ago I was out walking alone down a path in a large country park with my GSD unleashed walking at my side.  A male jogger passed us very fast, very near and swinging his arms about. Zak swung round and barked at him - no attempt to lunge or bite just a canine 'Oi, watch it, mate!'  I was then treated to a mouthful of vile abuse and threats.  Why?  There was plenty of room for this guy to pass us but he chose to come within arm's length of me and my dog.  As far as I was concerned the dog acted appropriately - and so eventually did I; I told him to get stuffed and watch where he was going in the future.

Linda 

I agree, there are irresponsible joggers too - same as cyclists who seem to have lost their bells an whiz up behind you silently and then yell at you to get out of the way! The trouble is that its always the dog to blame in these circumstances :(

Hi Lumphy, i think with my dads partner because the dog was on a lead and the jogger had approached from behind it would be slightly different to a jogger passing a loose dog. I don't really know what the rules are, but a lot of joggers shout down as they jog passed in my area, not sure why there must be some reason behind it. Luckily we don't have any problems with my dog Tyler he will just carry on what he is doing and ignore them.

It might be because they have been chased and bitten by dogs. I used to run in a place where these 4 old codgers walked their collie. It always went for me nipping at my legs and getting under my feet. They didn't do a thing - there is no excuse for it. I had every right to be able to run down a public path without being attacked, chased or tripped up by a dog. (keep in mind, I love dogs and want to hug every one I see) I finally turned on the dog one day and bellowed NO, BAD DOG then proceeded to give them an earful. I always ask my dog to sit or at the least come to the side of a path when joggers go by so they don't get tripped. He has no interest in chasing them I just think it's reassuring to them to know they are safe. It keeps my dog safe as well.

May be so, i wasn't sure if it was something joggers were advised to do, as it seems quite a few do it. Of course the old 'codgers' lol should have had there dog under control.

Hi

In my case the jogger only started to run when he got level with me and the dog. it was at the start of the path. if he had already been running I would of called my dog to me. As I say he was ok with joggers but I did it more out of politness than anything else. I agree that anyone should be able to walk and jog along a public path without being bitten or harrased by a dog but some common sense must be used to on both sides.

My dog is very protective of me. He is  a GSD need I say more and I am sure he saw the guy as a fret. He didnt bite him but gave him a warning. I was shocked by his reaction. I knew how protective he was but that was the first time he had reacted like that.

Wendy

If your dog is not sound enough and/or not sufficiently trained not to react inappropriately when harmless joggers run past then it should be on a lead.

Saying it is a GSD is no excuse, many people own guarding breeds that are specifically trained for PD in Working Trials or Schutzhund, they would not find this behaviour acceptable.

Don't blame others for your or your dogs failings!