My dog has bitten someone - what do I do?

Hi, I am really upset as Dan had been doing so well up to a few weeks ago, but has recently reverted to his old fear aggressive behaviour (see post in "Training & Behaviour" section "Fear Aggression/Territorial behaviour"). Because of this, I have been keeping him on lead on the way to the park, letting him off at the park only if there is no-one visible. Just up the path from our house there is another dog who he gets on with well. She was out playing so after checking that there was no-one about, I let him off to play. Things were fine, but a man suddenly came out of an alleyway and made Dan jump (not that I'm suggesting that it was the man's fault for making him jump, just explaining what happened and why) and Dan went barking at him. I called him away and he ignored me. The other dog and my other dog thought it was a game and wound Dan up even more. I couldn't get hold of him, so I started going in the other direction, as this usually works. Once I had got him back on the lead I apologised to the man and he said that Dan had bitten him. He rolled his trouser leg up, but there was no injury (that I could see). I apologised again and he went away. I kept Dan on the lead for the rest of the walk. Today I saw the people who have the dog Dan was playing with and they said that the man had been 'round and had said that he had to go to A&E and have a tetanus shot. Apparently the reason that there was no bite mark was that the area he looked at wasn't the area that Dan had bitten! His son is trying to get him to involve the police and I am terrified that Dan will be PTS under the DDA . I have worked so hard to sort his behaviour out and we had made real progress - he ignored almost every man he saw, even going up to see some of his own volition. I think he is now "protecting" Myrtle as his behaviour has only got worse in the last few weeks and usually only occurs when Myrtle is approached by a man.
Can anyone advise me as to what would be the best way to handle this and what could happen to Dan.
Jo

Found this on the Dog Trust website


My dog has been accused of biting someone and apparently they’re going to go to the police. I’m desperately worried that she’ll be taken away and possibly destroyed. What can I do?


First of all, if the police come to take your dog away, you do not have to let them in if they do not have a warrant. The best course of action would be to call the Fury Defence Fund on 01395 512384 and/or visit www.doglaw.co.uk. They specialise in helping owners fight Dangerous Dogs Act cases, will be able to give you advice and put you in touch with a dog specialist solicitor, should you require one.

Look I am not the most knowledgeable person here, there are tons of you who know far more than I. But IMO if there is no mark and the fella has no witnesses that Dan bit him then there is surely not much they can do except perhaps ask you to keep Dan muzzled or under control in public places.

Also you have his history and any reasonable judge (or whoever), would understand that there are circumstances which will make any dog, no matter how steady, nervous.

Really, hon, I wouldn't get too worried about it just yet, it may well be all bluster from the alleged victim. You said it yourself, there was no visable injury.

Simply ask for full evidence with supporting documentation and independent witness statements to prove that a) it was your dog that bit him and b) that there was an injury and c) that he did indeed attending A&E
Becky

I've just read through your other thread and I really do sympathise with you, Dan sounds very similar in a lot of ways to Max (5 years old now, we took him on at 2).

I've no idea what will happen now. I find it very odd that the man showed you the wrong part and said that he had been bitten elsewhere and that is why you could not see a mark. If he was actually bitten I think he should know what part of his body was bitten and should have been able to show you the correct place.

Also as regards his A&E visit, 4 years ago my OH came off his motorbike. He was wearing protective leathers but still took a large area of skin off his arm. He went to A&E and whilst there asked if he needed a tetanus shot as his last one was about 10 years ago. He was told that the new line of thinking was that after you had a couple of shots you are now covered for life. I must stress that this is only what we were told, dog bites may be different.

I am wondering though if this man is just trying to frighten you. I take it that the people he spoke to have not told him where you live?

Understandably you are worrying about the worst case scenario. It sounds like you are doing the best you can with Dan. Try not to worry. If it comes to anything, you can fight it. Sending support.

You are not going to like this, but if the guy wants his "15 min. of fame", his day in court and damages, you'r screwed!

The good news is that most people have a "knee jerk" reaction to a situation like this and once they simmer down, - reason prevails.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you, and statistics in an other country will show that you don't have to much to worry about.

Nav

Further to my previous. I really think this fella is full of bull plop, he is just trying to get sympathy and get everyone feeling sorry for him.

I actually do think nothing further is going to come of this, I really wouldn't worry mate, you are doing a stellar job with your dog.

Thanks for the support! They haven't told him where I live, although they told me where he lives and I have toyed with the idea of going to see him, but I'm too scared!The man himself wasn't going to go to the Police, but apparrently his son is pushing him to go, so I'mworried that his son s thinking of the compensation...

Why do you say she is screwed.....thats a very Odd statement.