Attacked By Dog

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

what a mess.

the dog is starving - RSPCA could help with that.

the dog is human aggressive and dangerous - council or police could help with that.

kids not being looked after or kept safe (from the dog for starters). police would help with that too - and call whomever it is that checks this.

not reporting it - will cause the least amount of stress for the family now, but it doesn't look like it's going to end well at all if it's left how it is.

I think I'd phone the police and ask for a community liaison person - that knows who to contact about all this stuff. And can maybe go round and have a diplomatic chat about social responsibilities caring for children and pets. And help them with some extra resources or respite care help.

Question about not reporting - how would you feel if you find out the dog has attacked someone more seriously and you hadn't said anything?

[Tralee]

A very sad and extremely disturbing situation.

You have a moral obligation and a social responsibility to report it, there are no two ways about it.

The dog, obviously, is not being managed properly and the likelihood of its behaviour being curtailed is too remote.

The fact that the dog is allowed to take food from a disabled child is totally unacceptable.

Unfortunately, once again, the dog suffers collateral damage from a dysfunctional family.

The Council and the Rangers must make an intervention.

Personally, I feel that the dog needs to be removed.

Regretably, because you have not been bitten, the Rangers are virtually powerless.

They can issue a warning, but it is very hard to prove an alleged attack with out demonstrating some injury.

In future, maybe your son's gf could go over to yours instead of the current arrangements.

Cheers

[Christina]

Is there any possibility at all that the dog was reacting to you this way as it perceived you as a threat to the child ?

I understand that it is out of control, untrained & aggressive but with all the yelling & hysteria it may have made the dog behave worse than it normally would.

Its a no win situation to report it. No bite, no proof. Will cause trouble with son & family, but that may make them split up so could be good ? may take the dog away & PTS, maybe useless & won't make the family train it.

Is there any way of thinking outside the square here & with your sons help finding some way for someone there to take it to dog training then at least it may stand a chance of some sort. Many feral, disfunctional families actually do have nice friendly dogs by some fluke. Hard decision for you.

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

Tralee

I think she was bitten, just not blood drawn...

Dog grabs my cardigan a few times then finally gives up and runs back into house. It shook me up. It was intense and continued.

I'm not sure dog was intent on doing serious damage - given no blood. But that doesn't matter, if the dog put its mouth on Alyosha's person - council do take that seriously. At least my council did when similar happened to me.

[melzawelza]

A dog doesn't have to bite or touch a person in NSW for it to be considered an attack. What Aloysha describes absolutely comes under the description of an attack as per the act.

[megan_]

.

Edited April 15, 2013 by megan_

[megan_]

charging is enough for a dog to be declared dangerous. The only issue here is that most of this happened on private property so the council can't do anything about that. Make sure when you report it that you tell them what happened on the road.

[Tralee]

Tralee

I think she was bitten, just not blood drawn...

Dog grabs my cardigan a few times then finally gives up and runs back into house. It shook me up. It was intense and continued.

I'm not sure dog was intent on doing serious damage - given no blood. But that doesn't matter, if the dog put its mouth on Alyosha's person - council do take that seriously. At least my council did when similar happened to me.

A dog doesn't have to bite or touch a person in NSW for it to be considered an attack. What Aloysha describes absolutely comes under the description of an attack as per the act.

charging is enough for a dog to be declared dangerous. The only issue here is that most of this happened on private property so the council can't do anything about that. Make sure when you report it that you tell them what happened on the road.

Well yes, the dog can be declared dangerous without having bitten someone and the Council then has the power to intervene.

In NSW, it is not necessary for a dog to attack, whereas clearly this dog did "strike out with force" but the dog only needs to, Quote: "display unreasonable aggression towardsa person or animal (other than vermin)" end quote

My puppy boy will stamp, and have a tanty, he might even muzzle punch, but he expects attention or a treat. He certainly demands respect but bitting is not in his history. The Ranger calls this aggression, but he's an idiot and does not work here anymore, anyway.

Further, the offending dog is in ACT and they would have a different Act.

Certainly, if I had gone to collect a child and the dog went on such a rampage, I would be meeting my obligation for Social Justice to the full extent.

It was and is totally unacceptable.

Also, if you want to be friends with the owner of the dog, then it is your duty to intervene.

It is the moral and ethical thing to do

Regards

Edited April 15, 2013 by Tralee

[Christina]

Tralee

I think she was bitten, just not blood drawn...

Dog grabs my cardigan a few times then finally gives up and runs back into house. It shook me up. It was intense and continued.

I'm not sure dog was intent on doing serious damage - given no blood. But that doesn't matter, if the dog put its mouth on Alyosha's person - council do take that seriously. At least my council did when similar happened to me.

A dog doesn't have to bite or touch a person in NSW for it to be considered an attack. What Aloysha describes absolutely comes under the description of an attack as per the act.

charging is enough for a dog to be declared dangerous. The only issue here is that most of this happened on private property so the council can't do anything about that. Make sure when you report it that you tell them what happened on the road.

Also, if you want to be friends with the owner of the dog, then it is your duty to intervene.

Regards

I don't understand that part ?

They are not friends anyway so its irrelevant but reporting it will hardly make them friends. It would make friends fall our surely ?

[Tralee]

Tralee

I think she was bitten, just not blood drawn...

Dog grabs my cardigan a few times then finally gives up and runs back into house. It shook me up. It was intense and continued.

I'm not sure dog was intent on doing serious damage - given no blood. But that doesn't matter, if the dog put its mouth on Alyosha's person - council do take that seriously. At least my council did when similar happened to me.

A dog doesn't have to bite or touch a person in NSW for it to be considered an attack. What Aloysha describes absolutely comes under the description of an attack as per the act.

charging is enough for a dog to be declared dangerous. The only issue here is that most of this happened on private property so the council can't do anything about that. Make sure when you report it that you tell them what happened on the road.

Also, if you want to be friends with the owner of the dog, then it is your duty to intervene.

Regards

I don't understand that part ?

They are not friends anyway so its irrelevant but reporting it will hardly make them friends. It would make friends fall our surely ?

So what are you saying?

Friends and neighbours are expendable.

I don't understand that part.

[Christina]

Sleepy brain Tralee. Didn't mean for all those quotes to be in the post. Its the last bit that puzzled me. This sentence

If you want to be friends with the owner of the dog its your duty to intervene.

How would this make them friends ?

[Dory the Doted One]

Sleepy brain Tralee. Didn't mean for all those quotes to be in the post. Its the last bit that puzzled me. This sentence

If you want to be friends with the owner of the dog its your duty to intervene.

How would this make them friends ?

I took it to mean, having a word with the owner. Rather than if they are your friend dob them in.

Because if it was your friends dog you woruld have a word to them. (Probably a lot if words)

If you aren't fussed about friendship you'd be more likely go straight to council.

[Nic.B]

I am so sorry Alyosha, how terrible. I truly hope you are feeling ok this morning.

You will make the right decision, the family are very lucky you have so much experience in this sort of event. Not to mention your experience with dogs and your empathy.

It is a difficult situation though I would report. It is forseeable that this sort of attack can happen again, esspecially due to the unfortunate dynamics and background of the family involved

Take special care xx

ETA spelling

Edited April 15, 2013 by Nic.B

[Sheridan]

Hope you're feeling better this morning, Alyosha. I'm with the others. It needs to be reported.

[Loving my Oldies]

What a terrifying experience, Alyosha. I hope you are feeling a little less shaken this morning, but these sorts of events can take a bit of getting over.

I am with the others who say the attack should be reported, but feel the people need to be advised that this is going to happen - a highly uncomfortable situation for you to be in

Sounds like the dog might be reflecting back all the dysfunction and stress in the house, despite his behaviour I feel a bit sorry for him. And a lot sorry for the little girl who loves him. But it was beyond acceptable behaviour, it is a dangerous situation.

Agree, Diva. Poor dogs are not immune from the stresses that some families inflict on themselves.

[juice]

He is likely to do this again, with the outcome not being so good, so you do really have to report it.

[persephone]

Rock : Hard Place

[Alyosha]

Thanks all. Much appreciated. Diva you got it - poor dog is a product of his environment alright.

Yes, dog is in ACT. Attack is not as comprehensively defined in the ACT Act as in NSW, but I think this was pretty cut and dried. Although no skin broken the biting and grabbing was still there. Possibly lucky my flapping long cardigan copped it instead of my arms (which I had up out of reach).

Update. Contacted rangers this morning. They were very, very good. They asked what outcome I was seeking and I said I hoped they could talk to the owner and assess whether he is willing or able to make suitable adjustments to dog's training, socialisation and confinement. I talked about the dog's lack of training and socialisation, and him being alone with the kids so potentially protective. I also made mention of him being important to the kids, but that father may not understand the potential problems his behaviour could lead to.

They visited within hours, poor teenage daughter was home so was expecting it. They spelled out the potential offences involved, unregistered dog, dog attacking on private property, dog attacking on public property, dog not under control etc etc. They have asked for the father to contact and there will be ongoing interaction.

Dog has been assessed by vet and I don't know the outcome of that. Hopefully at minimum some worming and better feeding. I don't know yet what will be the outcome for him.

Of course father blamed me when it was all relayed to him. This is the disappointing part - there won't be learning on his part. But I think there is other intervention going on with kids and stuff, so he may be a little under pressure. Which in this case I think is a good thing. I think older daughter may be starting to accept that situation is untenable in so many ways. Possibly the fact that I have stood up and reported, and action has been taken, might help her gain some courage to stand up and ask for help in other ways. She understands that the dog is not necessarily at fault, but his living conditions aren't good enough, and he is not a happy well adjusted dog.

[Tralee]

Sleepy brain Tralee. Didn't mean for all those quotes to be in the post. Its the last bit that puzzled me. This sentence

If you want to be friends with the owner of the dog its your duty to intervene.

How would this make them friends ?

Well I reiterate:

Certainly, if I had gone to collect a child and the dog went on such a rampage, I would be meeting my obligation for Social Justice to the full extent. 
It was and is totally unacceptable. 

Also, if you want to be friends with the owner of the dog, then it is your duty to intervene.
It is the moral and ethical thing to do 

I don't know what your defintion of 'friend' is or what your value system is either but I suspect it may be different to mine.

My friends simply do not do things that they shouldn't.

Therefore, if I am to be friends with the dysfunctional family, and as Catholic I am obligated to it, then I am duty bound to offer and provide assistance to the owner of the dog.

Now this situation is extreme and totally unacceptable.

It calls for an extraordinary response.

It will take a superhuman effort to get the right result.

Regards

[Tralee]

Thanks all. Much appreciated. Diva you got it - poor dog is a product of his environment alright.

Yes, dog is in ACT. Attack is not as comprehensively defined in the ACT Act as in NSW, but I think this was pretty cut and dried. Although no skin broken the biting and grabbing was still there. Possibly lucky my flapping long cardigan copped it instead of my arms (which I had up out of reach).

Update. Contacted rangers this morning. They were very, very good. They asked what outcome I was seeking and I said I hoped they could talk to the owner and assess whether he is willing or able to make suitable adjustments to dog's training, socialisation and confinement. I talked about the dog's lack of training and socialisation, and him being alone with the kids so potentially protective. I also made mention of him being important to the kids, but that father may not understand the potential problems his behaviour could lead to.

They visited within hours, poor teenage daughter was home so was expecting it. They spelled out the potential offences involved, unregistered dog, dog attacking on private property, dog attacking on public property, dog not under control etc etc. They have asked for the father to contact and there will be ongoing interaction.

Dog has been assessed by vet and I don't know the outcome of that. Hopefully at minimum some worming and better feeding. I don't know yet what will be the outcome for him.

Of course father blamed me when it was all relayed to him. This is the disappointing part - there won't be learning on his part. But I think there is other intervention going on with kids and stuff, so he may be a little under pressure. Which in this case I think is a good thing. I think older daughter may be starting to accept that situation is untenable in so many ways. Possibly the fact that I have stood up and reported, and action has been taken, might help her gain some courage to stand up and ask for help in other ways. She understands that the dog is not necessarily at fault, but his living conditions aren't good enough, and he is not a happy well adjusted dog.

Astounding.

There are simply no words for what you have done.