Tyler went out to ride is rip-stick this afternoon. He came back in a few minutes later limping and holding his leg. I thought he said that Todd bit him. I thought...you have got to be kidding me? I could tell that Tyler was really hurt, so I was about to go lay into Todd. Then Tyler pulled up his pants leg...I was confused...I said, Todd did that? No, mom, the dog bit me.
Then my mama bear instinct kicked in. I quickly asked which dog it was, although I already had a pretty good idea. Tyler confirmed my suspicions. I called for one of the kids to go get Ken to take care of Tyler. And I left barefoot to go hog-tie a dog.
As I began walking toward the owners house I saw him outside with the dog. I asked him if that was his dog. Then I proceeded to tell him that he had just bit my son. Which come to think of it I repeated loudly several times. I'll be the first to admit that when it comes to my children I am not the most level headed, calm, person in the world. I can get a little feisty if I have too. I asked him to come look at what his dog did. Which he did. I could tell he felt really bad. He explained that he was just a puppy and didn't know better. This 'puppy' is just 4 months old and may not know better, but he is no little dog. He is a hunting dog who's head comes to my thigh. This is of course the same dog that chased Todd last week. And all the kids have said they have been chased by him. The owners don't have a fenced yard, so the dogs just run loose.
I told the owner that, although I understand that things like this happen if it happened again I would have to do something about it. He said, I understand. He seemed frustrated about his dog, and said he would take care of it. I hope that means he won't be roaming the neighborhood until he's not a puppy and DOES know better. Or never...that would be even better.
After he left I went back in to take care of Ty. He was shaken up and crying. The bite wasn't that bad, it could have been much worse. Thank goodness he was wearing pants or I'm sure it would have punctured the skin.
Tyler was trying to be brave but eventually he started bawling. Probably more from fear, frustration, and adrenaline than from the pain. I was holding him when he let out a sobbing....mama....mama. Which broke my heart and made me start bawling. Then Kaylie who had been hot as a firecracker wanting to go rip the dogs head off lost it and began bawling.
All the kids were ranting a raving about the stupid dog who bit their brother. Sydney was the only one level headed enough to try and explain that it wasn't really the dogs fault because he's really just a baby. Okay, true...but doesn't that mean that a dog like that shouldn't be out and about when they aren't predictable.
I forgot to mention that the owner was outside and saw the whole thing happen. Tyler was riding down our street and saw the dog looking at him...he got nervous and got off his rip-stick. The owner then said...it's okay. So Ty got back on his rip-stick to ride back home when the dog came up behind him and bit him. The owner saw Ty holding his leg and asked if the dog had bitten him. Tyler who didn't want to be impolite said, Yes, but it's not that bad and then he walked home.
Here's my question....What would you do? I have never been a dog owner and I am definitely not a dog lover so my perspective may be a little biased. But I don't think this is okay..puppy or not. If your dog bites keep it away from other people. The family that owns the dog I don't know very well, but I like them. The wife is super sweet and definitely good friend material. So I don't want to be all jerky. Plus, we are so out numbered. Of the sixteen houses in our little circle I can only think of 4 that don't own a dog or many dogs. So again...what would you do?
We've decided to just wait and see what happens, but I want my kids to be able to ride their bikes outside and not have to worry about being eaten by Kujo. Arrrugh!
8 comments:
Oh my goodness! Crazy!
I would have done the same thing...I think that dogs need to tied up if they can't behave.
I am so sorry. And so sorry for Ty!
Dog bites can get pretty serious. My older brother got bit by a dog as a kid, and he still has gouge marks in his skin. I think the police actually came and had to take the dog and put it to sleep! I suggest you help that family come up with some reasonable solutions for their dog (like a fence!!!!! Or be an inside dog). Clearly that dog has a habit...and I'm willing to bet, he'll be a pretty old dog before he can't run fast enough to use it! (P.S. I'm sure the couple with the dog is really nice and all...but really, no fence? That dog should at least be tied up on a long leash...it's pretty irresponsible to let dogs roam like that in a family neighborhood.)
One more thought...perhaps it would be worth looking into the city laws about dogs...maybe there is already a law about how owners have to keep them...in that case, it would make it much easier to insist on some solution.
I need to say this first....I have been brutally attacked by a dog. I know the terror.
You should have gotten up from the couch and called the police #1. Every bite HAS to be reported. If that dog (puppy or not) is going around chasing kids on their bikes and your kids don't feel safe then something needs to be done.
Luckily for you, you took pics :) you need to go down a file a complaint. 3 strikes their out :) Friends or not. The owner can't have his dogs roaming free like that especially if it's biting people. The dog that attacked me was put down...I was the last obviously, but it had bitten MANY people and lots of people would just not report it, and then the owner would pass it on to the next owner, it would bite and then be passed on again. I nearly died. Stitches all over my body.
So the question is, do you want that dog to get away with it again? The owner obviously doesn't see the importance in being a responsible pet owner. So if he's not going to take the initiative, then you should :)
I love dogs that I know. I agree that people should have pets, but only if they're responsible about them. Puppy's have to be taught. Letting them roam free is not the way to be teaching a puppy to NOT bite.
Now you know how I feel :)
Poor Tyler!!
Why can't people be responsible? If you have a dog, keep it in your yard via fence or leash, or keep it in your house. It's common sense and it's not difficult.
It's hard having to deal with people you don't want to alienate, but they need to realize how much more serious this could have been.
I completely understand that Mama-bear protective instinct! Zach has been dealing with several bullies and school, and THIS Mama-bear had to step in on the playground and the principles office. This instinct to protect is STRONG!
As for the dog, I'll have to say that my family had a dog for about 8 years and as he grew old, he began to grow unpredictable and bit a neighbor child. My parents decided to have him put to sleep. I didn't have children at the time, and had a hard time understanding that decision, but now I would do exactly the same thing. The welfare of children has to take precedence over any fondness for pets.
I sincerely hope that they monitor and train this dog to behave himself, but if they don't, then I think you're completely justified in notifying them that you have to contact animal services. I know you would HATE to have to do it, but they will have left you no choice.
So sorry to hear about Ty! Hope he's feeling better.
That was a serious bite. I hope Tyler is feeling better too. I don't know what I'd do if one of my children got bit. I know CJ would get an earfull of my opinion for sure. I can't believe the owner saw the whole thing and didn't bother to come and talk to you instead of you having to go to him. That tells me that he was hoping you woulndn't make a big deal out of it and it could just go away and then he wouldn't have to take any responsibility. I wonder how many others have been bitten or almost bitten by the dog that the owner has just blown off. I really think if he was truely responsible he would have walked Ty home and then told you he was sorry followed by the steps he would take to prevent it from happening again.
The other comments to the post with advice were good. It's really hard to know just what to do in such a difficult situation but I think following your instincts is always best. You'll know when enough is enough. Hopefully there will never be another bite but even just being near a dog that you know has bitten is a scary thing and if nothing has changed in the way they handle their dog then you will need to make a choice.
So sorry again and I really hope things work out.
Nancy, maybe I'm remembering wrong, but it seems like Orem City laws state that you have to keep your dog retrained at all times, either in a fenced yard or tied up. We had a puppy while we lived there, and we had neighbors call the police on us for our puppy barking while we were gone shopping. The police are pretty strict about dogs and their "natural behavior". We really had to be on our toes with our dog, but we were o.k. with that, because we felt like it was our responsibility to not bother our neighbors. I agree with the other comments and think you should report it to the police. You can do it anonyomously, but then they are aware that it is a problem with this dog. It's got to start somewhwere. I would also maybe try talking to the neighbor, and suggest a fence for their dog. You have a gift for being nice and yet getting your point across. I think you could do it and not offend. Good luck, that's just too bad!
Poor kid! Steve got bit pretty bad by a dog when he was about 12 or so and had to get stitches. I say if that dog causes any more problems you report them. I'm like you, when it comes to the safety of my kids, I'll gladly be the crazy mean lady.
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