My dogs killed neighbors chicken

[LD1]

As I stated earlier, I need more detail before I can make an argument either way. Cause the facts are incomplete. I see this happening one of two ways...try to get a visual...

Scenario 1:

Neighbor starts walking over casually, saying something like "hey hows it going im the new neighbor...."
OP tells the lady to stop and starts calling the dog. Dog fails to listen. LAdy continues to approach saying something lile "dont worry, dogs dont bother me." OP still trying to call dog back, and in that moment lady gets bit.

In that case, while the lady was stupid for not listening, so was the dog. And I think a lawsuit could easily be won for not controlling the dog.

Scenario 2: Starts off the same, but OP doesnt try to call dog back. Only focuses on the neighbor and insists she stop. She fails to head the warning and paid the consequences.

Now in this case, Sure, a lawsuit could be won. Any possible outcome would be the same I think regardless of what scenario. But there is a vast difference in the 2 scenario on the perception of the dog. Everyone jumping right to "get rid of the dog" or "I'd never have a dog that is aggressive" etc. Those arguments just dont hold weight with me if scenario 2 was the case. The dogs master gave a stranger (aggressor in the dogs eye) a command to stop. She continued to approach. The dog did what it was supposed to IMO.

While there is no doubt in my mind, that in this sue-happy frivolous lawsuit society, that the OP would loose if sued. I still think it is wrong. Just from a plain common sense standpoint. She was told not to trespass and did. And got bit on the OP's property. IMO, totally her fault. IF you go to the zoo and climb in the pen with the wolves and get bit, is it the zoo's fault even though there are signs and warnings telling you not to?

Reminds me of the one where a burglar broke into someone's house, cut themselves on a kitchen knife or something, and sued the homeowner and won.

Again, its the sue-happy society we live in, where everyone is looking for a quick payday.

 

[k0ua]

She was told not to trespass and did. And got bit on the OP's property. IMO, totally her fault. IF you go to the zoo and climb in the pen with the wolves and get bit, is it the zoo's fault even though there are signs and warnings telling you not to? Yes in today's broken society. Wolves are an "attractive nuisance" so the zoo will lose.

Reminds me of the one where a burglar broke into someone's house, cut themselves on a kitchen knife or something, and sued the homeowner and won. Yes it happens everyday, see the recent thread of one of our Aussie bretheren. Maybe not where I live or where you live, but in many jurisdictions the burglar has rights. And one of those rights is to make a living without getting hurt by careless homeowners.

Again, its the sue-happy society we live in, where everyone is looking for a quick payday. YEP!

 

[LD1]

I am hoping (and it sounds lie it) that the neighbor is reasonable. And understands that what she did was wrong.

I for one aint gonna go onto a strangers property and walk up to his dog and try to play with it AFTER he warned me not to. And if I did anyway and got bit, I certainly would be trying to sue him.

If anything, the homeowner should win a lawsuit. For mental anguish to him and his dog for having to bite a person.:thumbsup: But it is a bass-ackwards society we live in.

 

[300UGUY]

Maybe the OP took his dog to lunch at KFC? Finger licking good?

Can't help it....

 

[CurlyDave]

...I do think invisible fences somehow reinforce and amplify the natural territorial tendencies of dogs. Since they aren't fool-proof for keeping dogs in, and don't keep things like skunks and porcupines away from your dog, I don't think I'd ever use invisible fencing...

I have a totally different take on Invisible Fencing.

I used it for years when we lived in relatively dense housing (2.5 acres is right on the edge of this category). It worked well for non-agressive dogs, but I agree that for aggressive dogs, you need a real physical barrier. Both to keep there dogs and and to keep people and other animals out.

I would set this up with chain link fence as an outside barrier and then use the invisible fence you already own as an inner containment to keep your dogs several feet back from the chain link. A dog has all day, with little to do, and some will spend that time looking for a weak spot in the fence. If you keep them several feet from the fence, they never get the opportunity to look for a weak spot.

* * * * * *

I would get rid of those dogs now before a huge liability issue comes up. I have 40 acres and have Labs, which are very non-agressive. This may be hard on you and your existing dogs, but the liability of these dogs may well bankrupt you and send you back to the city for apartment living.

* * * * * * *

Our closest 5 neighbors have: Labs, Golden Retreiver, Labs, Miniature Daschunds, and Labs. Friendly dogs, and a helping hand a few times a year will have everyone thinking you are a nice family, and when something happens, they will help you out. Territorial dogs which bite the neighbors and their livestock will get them to turn their backs on you.

 

[dave1949]

Shrug, that I can understand Dave,
What I can't understand is why everyone thinks all dogs are the same ........

<snip>

Yep. We've not had that many dogs, but no two were the same that's for sure.

I suppose there is a general lack of understanding regarding what is acceptable behavior with other peoples' dogs.

If someone has a young pup with them, I assume it is for socialization purposes. I'll make a fuss over them if they approach me. Sort of a "you're okay, I'm okay" type of thing. I hope that isn't wrong in general. Taken too far, it could be wrong. For example, a puppy that is looking for too much acceptance by excessive licking shouldn't have that trait reinforced by constant success probably. Then again, if you meet the same pup several weeks later, it's likely they'll remember you, but they often will have changed behavior as they mature.

With mature dogs, I try to take reading of what the situation is and what the dog's behavior is telling me before interacting, or not. I confess, I am guilty of preferring to greet the dog. But, "training", no way.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I always ask the owner permission to greet his dog if I feel inclined to do so.

If a dog jumped on me after I told it to stay down, I would bring my knee up, not to make impact but if he made impact, my knee would be what he would hit.

I don't care if the owner likes it or not. I'm doing it to keep my space not to train him.

 

[GPintheMitten]

My 2 points are very much separate but I can see where you could read it otherwise.

That is, if a dog, yours or otherwise, jumped on me and I made no attempt to greet them, then they get to meet my knee not my soft belly nor my face.

What happens after that depends on the dog and owner.

If you can't keep your dog from jumping up on my chest or face, then keep him on a leash or at home.

I'm not talking about asking if I can pet your dog then kneeing him, mister.

 

[paulharvey]

Too me if you know you have an aggressive dog, you need a real fence. To keep dog in, and others out. What happens went the FedEx man delivers a package? He is going to bring box up to porch, not knowing you have a problem animal. He's not trespassing, and you will definitely be responsible. Bottom line is the dog is a liablity, and I would either put up a real fence, or take him for a long one way walk in the woods... I know I'll catch cap for that, but I would not risk my family's livelihood over a dog.

 

[sal64]

we use a closeline rope hooked to our deck stairs and to a tree with a pulley on the rope so our dog can run, its cheaper than a fence if you dont have a tree put a pole in the ground.