Thread: Dog bit me

Originally Posted by abaddonxi

I was bitten by a dog yesterday. It completely surprised me and I'd be interested in what you folks think of it.

I went over to a fella's house to pick up some roofing tin. We'd exchanged emails, and I'd spoken to him on the phone half an hour beforehand saying I was on my way.

At the gate there was a, 'beware of the dog', sign and a remote doorbell. I rang the bell and then took my son back to the car. He's terrified of dogs, and seeing the sign was enough for him. I returned to the gate and still couldn't see anyone, so I opened the gate and called out.

I walked about ten metres up the drive toward the front door and saw the fella out the back. He saw me and started down. At the same time his large dog ran down to me and bit me on the leg. I think it growled or barked once just before it bit me, but it didn't bail me up, or stop and wait for its owner, no warning, just came straight for me. It took a couple of good gnaws on my leg, then let go and bit me a couple of times on the hand, lucky I was wearing leather gloves so no damage to my hand.

The owner reached me then and dog went to him. The only thing he said was, 'didn't you see the sign', and 'the tin was outside the gate'.

I got myself the other side of the gate and said my piece at reasonable length, volume and profanity. His reply was to offer to load the tin on my trailer for me. No surprise that his dog had bitten me, or concern as to my wellbeing.

Off to the hospital for me, tetanus, antibiotics, etc.

Now what concerns me about this, because bite wasn't that bad, aside from the owner's complete lack of surprise or concern, was that I was going to take my six year old in there, and was telling him he really needed to relax about his fear of dogs, and I'm sure that if I had taken him in it would have been him bitten.

Oh, and it was a long haired Labrador or a Newfoundland sort of dog, not one of the usual suspects.

Bummer...sorry you got bitten. Labs rate well in the attack statistics........though perception differs. As someone who many moons ago did door to door sales....if there was a sign...simple....I didn't enter. I'd knock or yell out ( no mobile phones in those days).

I can understand his mentioning the sign....that's a fair call.....would be a nit wit to get in the fenced area of my GSD. Pretty poor in regards to no concern.....

Regards

Stevo

Having the "beware of dog" sign means he is aware that his dog is agressive and makes him liable for any harm the dog does.

From what you've said I'd say he doesn't care, might be worth having someone visit him about his dog.

Baz.

Speaking from own experience many moons ago when my dog German sheppard took another person.

Signs or no signs, Beware or dangerous dog sign or not, a dog unless specifically a guard and specifically fenced and guarding a premises is not to bite a person.

Contact local council and they will fine(pay your expenses) the owner, slaba dangerous dog order on him, he will have to wear a muzzle in public and will have to be kept in an enclosure higher that 1.8m.

That is the Adelaide hills councils view and some research will quickly show what your councils stand is.

Contrary to popular belief, Labs, retrievers and poodels can be very protective and will bite.
On a side note, protitutes in germany often have a poodle for protection. Very vicious little fluff balls.

Now best lick your wounds.

When we are not home, we lock our front gate. Not for security but to prevent visitors from getting bitten by our dogs.

If we know somebody new or (scared of big dogs) is coming to visit, I put my German Sheppard in a training harness + collar and on a lead before they come through the gate.

As a dog owner they are legally responsible for the action of their dog 24/7.

Our neighbour has 4 dogs and no fences. Many people (not me) have complained to council and nothing has been done about it.....

Beckford.

a sign, i no enter, fullstop, until i am assured the dog is locked up or on a leash

evidence of medium-large dog in yard and no sign, i wont enter until assured dog is harmless or restrained

it's another sign of the 'it's all about me" focus of a lot of people these days, they simply don't put any thought in to other people.

As much as it saddens me to say it as a dog lover... it should be reported.

The matter should also be reported to the police. It amounts to a physical assault. It is my understanding that access to the front door of the residence should be possible, for all legitimate purposes (eg delivery of census papers) and to all other things such as water and electicity meters, by appropriately authorised persons. The situation is different for non residential premises (eg a factory or timber yard). You need to 'protect' yourself against any unforseen and long term injury associated with the bite and the first step towards that is reporting it, even if you have no intention of pursuing the matter legally. However, the police may wish to do so. You would simply be called as a witness. It is very likely that you are not the first person to be bitten, and no action will likely ensure you are not the last.

Cheers
KarlB

The common law allows persons to enter private property for the purpose of attend the front door of any property, for a lawful purpose.

This common law right can be denied by a locked gate, a sign stating "Do Not Enter - No Trespassing" or the law full occupant tell you to leave or not to enter. If you enter against the above, this amounts to trespassing

If you are trespassing and are bitten by a dog - To Bad !

If you are not trespassing and are lawfully on the property for the purpose of approaching the front door and the dog bites you, then you have been attacked.

The local council will prosecute under the Companion Animals Act, if that’s what you want.