"Beware of Dog"

Liesje

Like the recent case where the GSD bit a man coming on the property even though the home owner warned the man to stay back and the man allegedly threatened the home owner's wife.  The home owner was liable and the dog was removed.  

OT I know but... Jeez that makes me SO ANGRY!!!   Truly disgusting.  Bleurgh.  

Carry on.

Liesje

you are either liable, or you are not.  I've heard the "beware" thing many times, but so far don't know anyone where the outcome of their bite incident was at all effected by the presence or lack of a sign

I would tend to think the same thing, except I think of it this way.... if there was ever a question if a dog was a potential problem (ie, "Fido has been docile and sweet his entire life and has never bitten a soul, this was a totally isolated incident and should be considered so by the judge."...... except there's a "warning" sign on the gate.  Implies - or allows an attorney to imply - that the dog was a "known" hazard and it might influence a judge to not give your dog a second chance.  Yes, he might see your dog as liable for injuries regardless of the sign, but a sign might influence his judgement if your dog is safe to remain in your home/alive, or be PTS.

Chuffy

Liesje

Like the recent case where the GSD bit a man coming on the property even though the home owner warned the man to stay back and the man allegedly threatened the home owner's wife.  The home owner was liable and the dog was removed.  

 

OT I know but... Jeez that makes me SO ANGRY!!!   Truly disgusting.  Bleurgh.  

Carry on.

Actually, IMO they were right to remove the dog, both times (but again I really do believe that if you have an aggressive dog it is YOUR responsibility no matter what, even if other people are coming on your property).  There was other bite history involved with these dogs, and I don't think things happened exactly as the owner claims.  I am still angry with the owner for all of his carelessness and actions leading up to that event and following it.  He had several GSD, apparently not at all trained or socialized, and they had kind of a pack mentality, being aggressive toward anyone (the second attack was on a family member).  If you know your dogs are aggressive, do not hire a landscaper and leave your dogs loose.  If you know your dogs are aggressive, do not do nothing about it after people all over the country go to bat for you and you get a second chance.  These incidences are what give the breed a bad rap.

I see your points about the liability possibilities.  I look at it as cautionary towards those with bad intent.  Hopeful that the sign can serve as a deterrant.

miranadobe

if there was ever a question if a dog was a potential problem (ie, "Fido has been docile and sweet his entire life and has never bitten a soul, this was a totally isolated incident and should be considered so by the judge."...... except there's a "warning" sign on the gate.  Implies - or allows an attorney to imply - that the dog was a "known" hazard and it might influence a judge to not give your dog a second chance

Yes - that's what I was trying to say =] well said.

Liesje

Chuffy

Liesje

Like the recent case where the GSD bit a man coming on the property even though the home owner warned the man to stay back and the man allegedly threatened the home owner's wife.  The home owner was liable and the dog was removed.  

 

OT I know but... Jeez that makes me SO ANGRY!!!   Truly disgusting.  Bleurgh.  

Carry on.

 

Actually, IMO they were right to remove the dog, both times (but again I really do believe that if you have an aggressive dog it is YOUR responsibility no matter what, even if other people are coming on your property).  There was other bite history involved with these dogs, and I don't think things happened exactly as the owner claims.  I am still angry with the owner for all of his carelessness and actions leading up to that event and following it.  He had several GSD, apparently not at all trained or socialized, and they had kind of a pack mentality, being aggressive toward anyone (the second attack was on a family member).  If you know your dogs are aggressive, do not hire a landscaper and leave your dogs loose.  If you know your dogs are aggressive, do not do nothing about it after people all over the country go to bat for you and you get a second chance.  These incidences are what give the breed a bad rap.

It's OT I know but just curious.... Was this Congo's case?

I guess why run the risk with a "Beware" sign?  I would be leery of any sign that implies there might be a dangerous dog.  Even though I think the 'my dog can make it to the fence...' sign is fun,  in the current social and legal climate I would even stay away from that.  

From a safety standpoint, if I only had little dogs I wouldn't advertise what breed.  Or I would put a Rottie sign on the door!  I don't currently have anything up but I have thought about it as my dogs are left loose in the house.  Of course, to find my house you'd have to be really looking hard for it but still...at the old place I had someone OPEN my door while I was trying to sleep and then I heard a Shriek because there were 3 malamutes looking silently at the person, and one, though a nice dog, has a way of looking right through people he doesn't trust.  I hope they wet their pants and think again before barging into a stranger's house, LOL!

 I'm sure there's some sign out there that is both cute, benign, and gets the message out loud and clear.
 

Chuffy

It's OT I know but just curious.... Was this Congo's case?

Yes, he and two of the other dogs were euthanized (by the owner immediately following the second incident, not ordered by the court but likely would have been).

I don't see why it could add additional liability if some uninvited and intruded into your home.  You are allowed to have a dog for protection, the "beware" sign would help because you warned strangers not to go into your home that they shouldn't have been anyway.  Maybe if you were invited as a guest and bitten by a dog you could use it against the owner showing their neglect in allowing the dog to socialize with guests after you warn others to beware.

I saw a show on rubbery and the they interview some of the most wanted buglars in prision.  The burglars said that they were never afraid of the dogs, most dogs never tried to bite you.  The problems with the dogs is them following the burglars around with there tails wagging knocking things off table and making noises that the burglars would be careful not to make.  So these burglar all said that when they know there is a dog they bring a steak bone just to keep the dog quiet while they robbed you blind.

Dogs do not prevent burglars..   that's what the burglars say anyway!

My husband being the quirky one has a gun sign in window that says, "never mind the dog, be ware of the owner" with a picture of a gun.  Now we don't even own a gun.  But if we did and shot a burglar I don't think I would be held more liable because I posted the warning.   But..  if a child or person got hurt acidently by my gun I bet the sueing lawyer would use that sign against us to prove we had it and kept it loaded for burglars and that is why the acident happened.