Would you call animal control over this?

[uummm]

I will try and keep it short...
I live in a middle class neighborhood with about 40% retired. We have sidewalks our houses are typically 25 ft from the road, our lots are about 80x100ft just to give an idea...We have about 250 houses in our development. Basically this is not the COUNTRY or rural IN our neighborhood (though I did live in a rural county). There are a lot of people that walk for exercise and walk there dogs daily.

About 2 months ago my husband and I were out jogging. We went by this house and the owner saw us, waved then he decided to let his dogs out (the front door) and one of the little dogs (shih tzu or lhasa apso) ran up to me, chased me and bit at my leg, not breaking the skin. I said to my husband "I think that dog bit me" and I looked down and you could see a mark though the skin wasn't broken...The owner saw it but from a distance he might not have been able to tell-though he did see him chase me. We do kinda know these people, my husband was at his house for a meeting once with maybe 4 people there...He purposely sat by us at a HOA meeting talking to us, so he may not know my name but he does know my husband's.

Today on facebook my neighbor said that she was bit while running and she was going to go talk to the owner....When this happened, again, he was outside and he had let his dogs out (about 10am) and when it happened he said something to her, so he did see this dog chasing her. And she did say the dog bit her. She didn't want to stop because well, she was exercising and just wanted to finish (I totally get that!). When she got home she lifted up her tights and saw she was actually bleeding a little on her lower leg.

She went back and spoke with him and she feels as though he was kinda dismissive. He did make the comment that they haven't had the dog that long, and it is "crazy." She asked if the dog was up on her shots and he claims she was because "They take her to be groomed and they have to be up to date for that." She said she was not going to call Animal control because the dog was up on it's shots.

My neighbor's husband came home this afternoon and he is NOT happy, he wants her to call animal control. I told her at the very least to contact our HOA managment company to lodge a complaint because there is a leash law in our subdivision, but not in our county (which they claim because the county is so rural). At least then it is documented in case it happens to her again. But then I started thinking about it and what if it happens to someone else and unless they find out it happened to my neighbor (which I doubt the guy would tell them) at least there is a written history of this, since he could also deny that she went and said anything to him.

Would you call animal control?

My thought is yes, the guy knows his dog at the very least likes to chase people and nip at them, yet he continues to let them out.

[IntoTheMystic]

I usually tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, but...what if it is a kid next time that gets bit? And what if the bite is on the face? You and your neighbor should both call animal control. Apparently this owner doesn't get it. That way you've done your duty, and it's documented (hopefully). Whatever happens after that happens. It's his fault for not leashing his dog.

[margiejohnson]

I would start with the HOA - they may not be able to do much and may refer you to animal control anyways.

I know it's not *quite* the same, but I work in a management office for apartments. In this situation, we would issue a lease violation to the pet owner, stating that any further infractions of the leash rule would result in the animal being banned from our property. Starting with the HOA does give an initial documentation of the incident in case it does happen to someone else and they call animal control. I've had our animal control office here call the office to see if we have had complaints on our pets before (the ones being complained on are usually unregistered) so there's not much we can help with at the time, besides issuing an automatic ban on the animal, with eviction occuring if the pet returns.

Personally, if you use the word "crazy" to describe your dog, you should only have that dog on a leash, or in a fenced in area so that it cannot get at people. I definitely wouldn't just dismiss this. What if it bit a child?

[taxchyk]

I'd get proof of shots. My daughter just went through the series. Painful, but it beats the alternative. I'd also call Animal Control and the HOA.

[wookin]

You definitely should contact animal control, that way there is a record of the bites. I doubt that your HOA can do anything about it but write him a warning letter. AC can fine him if the dog is a repeat offender. They will want statements from you and the other runner, dates and times etc. Good luck and glad neither of you were more harmed.

[bali1228]

I'd call. For the same reasons everyone else has stated.

[farmergirl]

I'd call both Animal Control and the HOA. The owner knows his dog is aggressive and dangerous and couldn't care less. I hate that alot of owners of little dogs think that because they can't do the damage of a large dog that little dogs shouldn't be properly trained/leashed. I highly doubt the dog is current on it's shots due to the negligence in the other areas of dog care.

I know for a fact that all little dog owners aren't like this as my three chi's are very well trained.

[CW&M Mom]

I would do both as well.

[3timesoccermom]

Here in Texas, when my niece was bitten by a dog a couple of years ago and I called Animal Control (skin was broken AND bleeding), they said it is required to call when someone is bitten.

I would let this man know that his dog IS causing problems and if you have another issue you will be forced to call Animal Control.

Most likely he is lying about the shots.

[3timesoccermom]

Also, I think they also told us that if a dog bites someone it would have to be quarantined for 10 days.