RE: [pyrnet] When is it appropriate for a dog to bite? Society's reactions

[Sherri Artz <SArtz@wiche.edu>]

Last year a somewhat similar thing happened in my county. A dog supposedly
escaped his fence and supposedly bit a neighbor, although there were no
wounds to prove it. He called the sheriff. When the sheriff arrived the dog
was back in his fenced yard, quietly lying on the front porch. The sheriff
went in the fenced yard to post a summons on the door and the dog approached
him growling. The sheriff shot and killed him, left on the front porch dead
with a note. Several hours later the owner came home to a dead dog on the
porch and a summons. The owners other neighbors who weren't fans of the dog,
were outraged at the sheriff's actions and they didn't even like the dog
because of it's barking. They said the dog didn't even lunge at the sheriff
or anything, just barked and growled. To this day no one is even sure if the
dog really did bite the neighbor who had no proof. This outraged me. I would
never leave my dog in the yard when I was away, however, if I did, I'd hope
she keep strangers off the property, especially inside the fence.

I just can't believe this stuff happens.

Sherri

-----Original Message-----
From: Barb Bowes [mailto:bamb@monmouth.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2001 3:32 PM
To: pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org
Subject: [pyrnet] When is it appropriate for a dog to bite? Society's
reactions


Heard a story on the local radio station yesterday, that sort of addresses
this situation.  First, some background info. We live in a summer resort
area, not far from Seaside, NJ. We have a LOT of out of towners here during
the summer. Mostly from NYC and North Jersey. That said, this is basically
what occurred according to what I heard on the radio. Man owns business on
Seaside, NJ Boardwalk. Man's business is closed, and he has 2 attack trained
Rottweilers guarding the business. Dogs are inside a 6 or 8 foot chainlink
fence that surrounds the business. 17 year old boy, from a city area up
farther north in NJ, climbs fence (even though it is posted with signs that
there are protection dogs inside) and proceeds to get attacked by the dogs.
Enter local Police on the scene. Police shoot and kill dogs to free the boy.
(this scenario occured once previously, several months ago with a man from
Brooklyn, NY with the same 2 dogs) Now, in the previous break in on the
property, when the man laid down, the dogs laid beside him. When he got up
to try to escape, the dogs brought him down and held him until the owner and
police arrived. My understanding in this latest instance, was that this 17
year old kid was not severely injured. The big question at this point is
whether or not they will file charges against this boy! Certainly they
should file criminal charges against this boy! He committed a criminal act!
And, the owner should have redress from the boy's parents for the cost of
replacing the dogs! And perhaps the Police as well! These dogs were well
bred, professionally and well trained property protection dogs. If the young
man had laid down or sat down, the dogs would have done the same. These dogs
knew their job and did it well. These dogs probably cost several thousand
dollars apiece. Were the dogs at fault? Not at all. The boy was certainly at
fault and I think the Police that shot the dogs were at fault. What's your
opinion?
 
Barb Bowes 
Bo & Chelsea (Pyrs), Flopsy (Pyr Shep) & Machin (Doxie)
The more people I meet, the more I like my dog!
bamb@monmouth.com <mailto:bamb@monmouth.com>