vale46
Posts:13
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| 07/22/2009 11:40 AM |
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Hi I am new to this forum and have a tragic story and am looking for some insight. We just moved into a new home about three weeks ago and we have two dogs. They are a female black lab and a male german shorthair which are two years old. Anyway I got a call from daughter yesterday afternoon at work and she told me one of our dogs hurt the neighbors dog real bad. Our dogs were in our yard which has an underground fence and the dogs are very well trained and know the boundries of the fence. The problem is the neighbors let their little dog named Bear run around the neighborhood. They don't have a fence nor do they leash the dog. Anyway my wife fed our dogs and let them outside and they like to snoop in the garage which is a an oversized triple car garage and not to mention it's cool in there. Well the neighbors dog was in our garage and probably suprised our GSP and the outcome was not good for Bear. My wife heard the terrible noise and saw Bear lying there and rushed him to the vet. She contacted the neighbors and the husband met her at the vet. My wife went over later that evening to inquire about Bear and he did not make it. They said they were not happy with us and that was that. My wife, kids and I are heartboken about this. Our dogs are wonderful with adults and kids alike but somehow I keep telling myself this could have all been avoided is the neighbors were more responsible for their dog. Any thoughts or suggestions what we can do. |
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Juno
Sask, Canada
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Posts:83
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| 07/22/2009 11:56 AM |
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Sorry to hear about this. It must have been tramatic for all involved.
I just wanted to say that I don't know how this could at all be your fault. It seems like your neighbors don't care enough about there dog to keep track of it, contain it and make sure that it doesn't get into trouble. It seems like something was bound to happen to it, whether getting hit by a car, attacked by wild animals, stolen or unfortuatly what did happened. Also since no one saw what happened perhaps the neighbors dog initiated it.
I don't know what the laws are in your area but since the dog was on your property and your dogs were contained I just can't see how this is anyones fault except the neighbors.
I know that this doesn't make it any better and I know that I would still feel horrible but don't let the neighbor make you feel any worse. I would be very mad at them for not keeping their dog out of your property and letting their dog get itself into trouble. I would be happy that my dogs weren't injured.
Around our small village there are a number of dogs that are also roaming free. I am often frustrated by this but can only help collect and return the dogs so many times if the owners aren't going to step up and take some responsibility.
Disputes with neighbors can be difficult, especially if you are new to the neighborhood. I would start talking to other neighbours perhaps they have other background info on the dog that would be helpfull for you.
Good luck and our thoughts are with you. |
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vnrose53
MH
Posts:379
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| 07/22/2009 11:56 AM |
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I am sure you and your family feel terrible but if your dogs had no previous signs of dog aggression I would put all the fault on the other owner. A responsible owner does NOT let his dog run around loose. Have your neighbors ever heard of CARS? Its impossible to know why your dogs responded with aggression but you could be right and being territorial with respect to intruders isn't unusual. It is a sad thing for the other dog but I hope you and your dogs don't suffer any grief for it. |
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carlower1
Kansas
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Posts:1253
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| 07/22/2009 12:06 PM |
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Your options are going to be limited to what the laws are in your state... What is going for you is that your dog was on your property.. and by the sounds of it.. in YOUR house.. so if anything the other family is at risk for failure to confine their dog.
My advice is if you haven't done the CGC certification yet.. and if you think you can.. then do so AND speak to an attorney about what you are liable for when a stray dog (technically that is what Bear was) is killed on in your house by one of your dogs.
I am with you... I am not sure how else this could have been avoided since the neighbors were not responsible with their dog.
Carrie |
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Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
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Posts:713
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| 07/22/2009 12:31 PM |
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I'm sorry this happened to your family. I agree with the others though, its def your neighbors fault for not having control over there dogs.
I live in a neighborhood and two houses up they have (I think) 8 dogs that they allow to roam our street. One of the dogs already got hit by a car and died..their solution was to get a puppy two weeks later. They didnt even learn and still let the dogs roam. |
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Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:4448
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| 07/22/2009 12:45 PM |
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What a unfortunate experience for your dogs and your family.
First thing I would do is find out about a leash law? Are these next door neighbors or several houses down? Do they let Bear out or does he escape? Has Bear wondered into other neighbors yards? Do they have dogs? Have other neighbors had 'incidents' with Bear?What type of temperment did Bear have?
These are irresponsible owners and this caused the death of their pet. They cannot prove that their dog did not provoke an attack. It's your property and they have to prove more than you do.
People who do not take responsibility in life are usually the first to complain about life,always blaming others.
Good luck with this and you should contact a lawyer.
Francine |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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vale46
Posts:13
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| 07/22/2009 1:07 PM |
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| No he does not escape they let him out and he just roams around the neighborhood. We have taken him back to his house a couple of times because he was at our house and the kids were riding their bicycles in the driveway and we did not want him there. Why should I contact a lawyer. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
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Posts:7835
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| 07/22/2009 1:08 PM |
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This is definitely not your fault. Find out the dog laws in your city, but my guess is that since this happened on your property and your dogs were contained, you will have no liability. The only caution I would make is that if your dogs do get out for some reason your neighbor may try to get even by calling animal control, etc. They may also try to raise a stink by complaining your dogs bark, etc. Depends on how vindictive they are toward what happened. I would also advise you find out history of this dog just in case you need it. Also, document what happened with Bear in writing in case this ever comes up again. You will have the details documented and not have to rely on memory.
We had a greyhound years ago that would kill cats. She stayed in her backyard, but if a cat came in that yard it was toast. We warned the neighbors with cats, but they did not believe that this dog could catch their cats. Well she did. Thankfully none of the neighbors blamed us for negligence.
By the way, your dogs were probably acting in a defensive mode protecting their turf. It is not unusual for a dog who is normally very laid back to protect their turf from intruders be they humans, critters or other dogs. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7835
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| 07/22/2009 1:13 PM |
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| I don't think you need to contact a lawyer at this point, just write down the facts in case your neighbor tries to take action whether it be a civil suit (in which case you would need a lawyer) or calls the animal control folks. By the way, it they should call animal control and animal control comes to your house when you go to the door be sure you step outside and close the door behind you. Do NOT let them in your house as they potentially could make the case based on anything they see for animal neglect, etc. Also, only answer their questions, do not get into a conversation with them and do not offer any additional information. Probably your neighbor will do nothing and is only reacting right now to being upset. Given time things will more than likely smooth over and hopefully they will learn a lesson. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7835
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| 07/22/2009 1:16 PM |
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| By the way, what kind of dog was Bear? |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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vale46
Posts:13
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| 07/22/2009 1:25 PM |
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| I can't say for sure but Bear was a small breed with curly sandy hair. He looked like a stuffed animal which makes hard for me to swallow this whole nightmare |
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TessaGA
Georgia
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Posts:2387
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| 07/22/2009 1:26 PM |
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The neigbors are not happy with YOU? Gee. People are weird.
Do they have other dogs? If they do, or if they get another one and let it roam, I would file reports with animal control about each incident the dog is loose, just for the record. |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:4448
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| 07/22/2009 2:30 PM |
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Contacting a lawyer will let you know where you stand if they should want retribution. Better you are prepared then taken by surprize. They may not see it from your point of view-trespassing,protection,provoked attack,ect.
Keeping an account of events will be helpful if things should escalate.
You seem to be thinking the neighbors will not press charges or some such retribution, this is very nice of them,it's good to have such nice neighbores,I'll let you know when I meet one.
If the situation makes it to court you could require they show a dog license and a current rabbies tag for Bear. You would need to show neglect and irresponsibility on their behalf.
Your property was trespassed,but you need to check your local dog laws.
In NY if a bad guy breaks into my home and my dog bites him he could sue me. Home owner's insurance covers this.
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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Fred
JH
Posts:28
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| 07/22/2009 2:49 PM |
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Sorry to hear about this accident. I know it is hard to understand but you can't blame yourself. Even little dogs can start fights. I have a neighbor who has a very cute pom. Well this pom named Fluffy  loves to torment my dogs. It barks and yaps and even tries to dig under the fence. I have filled up and blocked more dug up spots then I can count. Meanwhile the neighbors do nothing! My dogs don't ever try digging under the fence, (thank God)! I have no doubt that if Fluffy ever succeeded getting under our fence Fluffy wouldn't be fluffy anymore. Right now with 3 cbr's and 1 gsp Fluffy doesn't stand a chance. One day I was out back and Fluffy started his yapping and my dogs barked back and then I heard the neighbor yell, "Shut up Fluffy or I'll throw you over the fence and let them eat you!" Nice guy, huh. We have been neighbors for years but never friends.
I hope your neighbors are just greiving and it is hard to grieve and blame yourself. In time they may realize they were the ones responsible for this sad event. Hope things work out. |
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snips
n.ga.
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Posts:413
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| 07/22/2009 2:54 PM |
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I know you feel awful, but you have done the right things here and you neighbor has not. You might offer to compensate for vet bills, but your dog was defending his territory, that is your house. |
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brenda |
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vale46
Posts:13
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| 07/22/2009 3:38 PM |
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I was just at my vet's office talking to him about the ordeal and the neighbor talked to him as well today. The neighbor said his dog has been going around the block and our house for four years. So I assume his dog considered our garage his territory. He asked if he should call animal control and our vet said absolutly not and that he has cared for our dogs for 2 years and that they were wonderful pets. He said they had a confrontation that ended in tragedy.
Here is Bailey
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7835
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| 07/22/2009 4:55 PM |
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| IMHO people who let their dogs wander and visit are the ones in the wrong and when something happens to their dog whether hit by a car or getting into a dog-dog confrontation it is their own fault. Unfortunately they rarely see it that way. I wonder what they would have thought had a coyote gotten their dog, Bear. That is what is happening with small dogs and cats in my neighborhood now. Or had they lived on the Texas coast or Florida coast and a gator got their dog. No, they are responsible for their dog and they should keep it in their yard and not let is roam the neighborhood. As hard as it may be, it is their fault squarely and thank goodness your vet stood up for your dogs. He actually should have advised them that if they ever get another dog they should keep it in their yard so this kind of thing doesn't happen again. I know you feel bad as you obviously love dogs, but please do not blame yourself as it was not your fault or your dogs fault. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2387
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| 07/22/2009 6:28 PM |
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These people are nuts! Are they trying to argue that the dog was defending his territory (your garage that he adopted a few years ago)? That is insane.
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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Mydogiscrazy
Chapel Hill NC
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Posts:323
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| 07/22/2009 7:38 PM |
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you obviously have a good GSP and you trust your dogs because you keep them in with an invisible fence (mine would be across that thing and murder every squirrel in the county) so we can defer that you have good dogs with no history of this and no signs of it being potentially a problem. which makes me think that the other dog not only startled your dog IN YOUR HOUSE, but that he started fighting back so fiercely that your dog also had no choice and won because it was bigger, not necessarily more vicious.
i am sorry you have to go through it, you shouldnt stay awake at night worrying about it though. i wouldn't blame bailey or you. |
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Ellegirl
JH
Posts:25
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| 07/22/2009 7:46 PM |
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What about the emotional stress these people not only caused you but your wife and children. None of this was your fault, you did nothing wrong. As a matter of fact you did everything you could for this dog by taking it to the vet for care. What if this dog ran out in the street and caused an accident and maimed or killed someone, whose fault would that be?
Bottom line is they were irresponsible and selfish by knowingly letting the dog out to roam the neighborhood. What a horrible situation they put you in. |
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