MIL was attacked

A couple weeks ago my MIL was attacked by the neighbor's dog while spreading mulch in her own front yard. The dog bit her 5 times (almost to the bone on her ankle). She refused to go to the doctor b/c she knew she'd have tell them it was a dog that attacked her, and she didn't want to get her neighbors in trouble (they're on good terms, friendly). She, however, assumed that they would do the right thing and put the dog down, but they haven't. Not the first time dog's bitten......2 years ago he bit my husband in the stomach (minor b/c husband jumped back before he could do real damage) and he's bitten the owner twice in the last six months. MIL is scared to death to go on that side of her yard now, even though the back has a 6' privacy fence.

Neighbors have been waiting for the "right time" but it's been over a month!!! Nothing anyone says makes a difference to MIL, she won't talk to them or call ACC. Sorry, just needed to vent!

Re: MIL was attacked

Did they provide your MIL with proof of rabies vaccine??

How on earth did she manage to treat bites that were so deep they were almost to the bone without any doctor's help? Didn't she need stitches and antibiotics?

Did your DH report the bite when he was bitten? You don't have to go to the doctor to report a dog bite as far as I know...

Sorry, I know you were just venting, but that was the first thing that popped into my mind. ALlow me to vent with you:

AT THE VERY LEAST those neighbors should (1) never leave the dog loose in the yard; (2) never leave the dog unattended or unleashed when outside; and (3) never, ever let the dog out of the house without a muzzle. The dog is clearly a confirmed biter and dangerous.

I know you can't force your MIL to do anything... but I think her neighbors are completely irresponsible.

I LOVE dogs, don't get me wrong -- but having been attacked badly like your MIL, I take dangerous dogs VERY seriously. All dog owners should take their responsibility as dog owners seriously. I'm really sorry that your MIL's neighbors are irresponsible dog owners -- yes, anyone who has a known biter outside without a muzzle is irresponsible in my book.

I hope your MIL is okay and I hope her neighbors start to be responsible. Your MIL shouldn't feel uncomfortable in her own yard.

Message edited 6/12/2009 12:49:04 AM.

Re: MIL was attacked

Posted by Kara

Did they provide your MIL with proof of rabies vaccine??

How on earth did she manage to treat bites that were so deep they were almost to the bone without any doctor's help? Didn't she need stitches and antibiotics?

Did your DH report the bite when he was bitten? You don't have to go to the doctor to report a dog bite as far as I know...

Sorry, I know you were just venting, but that was the first thing that popped into my mind. ALlow me to vent with you:

AT THE VERY LEAST those neighbors should (1) never leave the dog loose in the yard; (2) never leave the dog unattended or unleashed when outside; and (3) never, ever let the dog out of the house without a muzzle. The dog is clearly a confirmed biter and dangerous.

I know you can't force your MIL to do anything... but I think her neighbors are completely irresponsible.

I LOVE dogs, don't get me wrong -- but having been attacked badly like your MIL, I take dangerous dogs VERY seriously. All dog owners should take their responsibility as dog owners seriously. I'm really sorry that your MIL's neighbors are irresponsible dog owners -- yes, anyone who has a known biter outside without a muzzle is irresponsible in my book.

I hope your MIL is okay and I hope her neighbors start to be responsible. Your MIL shouldn't feel uncomfortable in her own yard.

Re: MIL was attacked

I agree. And I hope your MIL is ok - that must have been very scary!!

I don't really understand though why, if your MIL felt the people should "do the right thing" and put the dog down, that she wouldn't report it.

To be honest, if I had a dog that bit someone, that would be my biggest fear that it would be put down. So if someone didn't report it, I would take it as a second chance and obviously make sure it wouldn't happen again.

If these people are so irresponsible that it has happened before and they have done nothing to prevent it from happening again, I don't know why anyone would think they would voluntarily put their own dog down.

Message edited 6/12/2009 11:35:52 AM.

Re: MIL was attacked

Those people should be fined. They have a dog that bites and they let it get out ? How irresponsible! I bet the dog isn't fixed either.

Re: MIL was attacked

While I don't feel that dogs that have bitten should get an automatic gassing, these people need to be made responsible for their dog's actions. At the very least they should be forced to give the dog up to people who can assess if it can be rehabilitated since it is obvious they are unwilling to control it.

Perhaps asking your MIL what would happen if this dog attacked a child would get her on the right path to taking action? After seeing what has been done with the Michael Vick dogs, I don't believe all dogs that bite are beyond help. But this will only get worse if no action is taken.

I hope she gets the medical care she needs, and definitely needs to get checked for rabies. I've been bitten by a dog too, and I know how scared she must be but she needs to get help.

Re: MIL was attacked

Re: MIL was attacked

Omg that makes me CRAZY. So there's a longer history there... Two aggressive dogs? They sound like people who shouldn't own any animals at all!

I wish there was some kind of blacklist for these things. That once people go on the list, they can't purchase or adopt animals.

What if you report them anonymously? Ugh, this is a disaster waiting to happen. Maybe if the ASPCA investigates, they will sign the dog over.