HELP, my sister's dog bit the fireman

Our state has a one bite rule but my town does not.  So you will not only want to check with your state but your local laws as they do vary...

ORIGINAL: ShelbyStClair

ORIGINAL: workingpaws

I was on the fireman's end a few years back. I sued. They still have the dogs, though hopefully kept on leash now.

Just an opinion, but unless the dog was totally unprovoked and did serious damage I would never sue someone over it, and if it was a minor scratch as long as they could prove the dog had it's shots I wouldn't even call animal control over it. But I also feel that any dog can bite at any time whether provoked or not.  With my dogs I have two that can be out with people over and one that can't.  No one that isn't well known to my dogs enters my house until my dogs are crated. 

I would be shocked if a fireman sued over a 10lb dog biting him.  How much damage could it have done????

I was simply sharing my experience. My situation was far, far worse than this one & I assure you was very sue worthy. As already stated by rwbeagles the home owners insurance will cover everything, they should even if the incident happened off the home owners property. AC or their home insurance could take the dog away, could force training or could just give a warning - these could happen right away or farther down the road. If he does sue it could take years to go through the process.

(edit) We the dog owners are responsible for our dogs actions, whether a behavior is known or it is the first time a dog has acted in an aggressive way. I've heard many times where police have had to shoot & kill assistance/service/guide dogs who are too protective of their unconscious or injured owners bodies & not allowing rescue near them. In some cases the dogs are injured themselves such as car accidents or other & react out of fear & pain. Other times the dogs are poorly trained or released to early from programs to begin with. In any case my point is that even the best behaved dogs are still dogs & make mistakes, but what our dogs do we are responsible for, no matter what size or extent of damage.

Yes, we are responsible for our dogs' actions. But as was mentioned, when you're calling 911 for a family member, you're probably not thinking as clearly as you might otherwise. Cut the OP a little slack - sthe dog had never been aggressive before! I think calling in a behaviorist afterwards shows some great commitment to taking responsibility for the dog. I'm sorry for such a tough situation for the dog and your family, but thanks for the warning for the rest of us.

ShelbyStClair

Just an opinion, but unless the dog was totally unprovoked and did serious damage I would never sue someone over it, and if it was a minor scratch as long as they could prove the dog had it's shots I wouldn't even call animal control over it.

I wouldn't either. I think it's a bit rediculous. It's all the same with me for large or small dogs - if it's a nip or a bite that does nothing, yes it's wrong but they are more than likely just trying to protect the family. Pedro does this constantly and this is why we have to put him outside or in my room when people come over that he doesn't know. He will constatly bark at them and if they get up (like if they were sitting), he runs after them and attacks their ankles! I think he has fear aggression too. He's nipped at the AC man once I think, but he didn't do anything. I should have put him outside or something but the AC man was already at the house before I could do it, and Pedro saw him, therefore he wouldn't let me touch him. Kind of like "No, Mom, I need to protect you."

The funny thing is, Pedro is like that and Chico and Tj will just bark at them until they walk through the door. When they come inside, they are fine. Chico runs up to them like "HI, I MISSED YOU!" ..but it's nobody he's ever met. LOL.

I do think we need to give the OP a break though, at least they got a behaviorist to their house afterwords. That was very good on your part! 

rwbeagles

would be shocked if a fireman sued over a 10lb dog biting him.  How much damage could it have done????

My boyfriend's little sister got attacked by a small dog, I think it was 2 years ago. She had to have stitches in her head.

I'm not saying all small dogs could do something like this.. but serious damange can be done if for some reason the dog wants it to be.

 

BTW, How is your mom? If you don't mind me asking.

I think this fireman is a whimp.  A 10 lb. dog is nothing, although it is a big Maltese (mine is only 3 lb. and 13yrs. old LOL).  But these firemen where heavy duty clothing and it's hard to believe that the dog actually bit thru the pants and broke skin, although, I guess it can happen.  He should be lucky it was Koda!  I went to Koda's page and saw that he weighs 145 lbs.  WOW!  I think if I were the other firemen, I'd have to harass him for letting a little dog like that be a problem for him.  Good Luck, and hopefully it will all work out to your sisters benefit.