DogBoston’s Dog Blog

> Some of you may remember my post from 2 weeks ago about my tenants who have a rottie chow mix that bit my daughter. Well here is an update and request for further information. You were all very kind and helpful previously and hope you can give me some suggestions for this weeks developments.

Jo: I did not read any of the original posts, so my comments and questions will be somewhat general in some areas, but more direct in others.

> After the bite, I contacted my local police department (attleboro). They sent out an officer who took a report. We sent our tenants a lettter, regretfully telling them that due to the attack and that fact that our homeowners insurance would not cover my property, they dog would have to go.

Jo: So far so good. That is exactly what you should have done in the case of a bite. HOWEVER — how old is your daughter? Did the tenants let the dog out when the kids were out? Were you outside with your child as well? Did you see EXACTLY what happened?

> Well they put the dog in a kennel (I’m sure it was costly for them) and they gave us their 30 day notice that they were moving out. We were sad to see them go, however the dog couldn’t stay, and they needed to do what they needed to do.

Jo: Okay…

> Well, Friday night they brought us a letter stating that they spoke with animal control, and they advised them that the dog could come back AND THEY BROUGHT IT BACK!!!!

Jo: Whoa… but this raises many more questions in my mind about the circumstances around the bite...

> i called animal control to find out what they could have possibly said to give them the impression that it would be ok. Of course the woman that they spoke with is not on during the weekend. However the animal control person I spoke with said the dog should have been quarenteened (sp?) for 10 day after the attack, and that the police should have forwarded all of this info to them. Which of course they didn’t.

Jo: In Massachusetts, this is correct. However, it depends on the level of the bite and the circumstances surrounding the bite. Generally, the first time a dog bites anyone, and it’s less than a level 4 bite, the 10 day rule then home stands. Many times, with lower level bites, the dog is allowed to be quarantined to the home, rather than a kennel. Usually, what happens is that they don’t tell the landlord of this, they tell the owner of the dog. Many times, they tell them over the telephone or they will post a notice on the dog owner’s door — this is standard procedure.

> I (not so calmly) spoke with my tennant and she said “You should have known about the insurance thing 2 1/2 years ago when you let him in! Too bad for you he is staying” Well back then I had different homeowners, quite possibly with out the same clause!

Jo: I hear you… and the main problem with your insurance is that right now, they will look at the incident and then decide what to do with your insurance.
Again, depending on the insurance company, they may look at the circumstances surrounding the bite and make a determination from that — OR — they may have a set of rules that are not negotiable at all. You need to find that out from your insurance company. Many insurance companies are now adopting a program where if the dog is of one of their ‘listed breeds’, but has a CGC title, then there is no insurance change at all. Does this particular dog have a CGC title?

> Regardless, they are being stubborn ***holes, they cops dropped the ball, and the beast is back in my house! Please tell me what I can do! I wont let the kids go out in case he is out there and I am WAY PISSED. Any suggestions?

Jo: As stated above, the police didn’t drop the ball — they followed procedure by interacting with the dog owner, not the landlord. I’m not saying this is right, I’m just saying that’s standard procedure and they stuck to it. So, forget the issue with the police, it’s a moot point.

That said:

You need to have complete documentation of the incident between the dog and your child. COMPLETE. How many adults were present? Was the dog on a leash or tied in the yard? Was the dog loose? Was a parent of the child present?
Was an owner of the dog present? Were there other kids around? What time of day did the bite occur? What was the bite level (google dunbar’s bite levels for information, these are used universally with vets, animal control, trainers and behavior specialists) of the injury? Was medical attention sought? What was the result of that medical attention? What costs were incurred as a direct result of this bite? Exactly what was the dog doing immediately before the bite occurred? Exactly what was the child doing immediately before the bite? Exactly what did the dog do immediately AFTER the bite? Exactly what did the child do immediately after the bite? And, the same questions for any adult present — by the way, an answer of ‘nothing at all’ is NOT acceptable.

Then, when you have complete documentation about the incident, you can go to your insurance company and ask for their help. They may be able to steer you toward a specialist in order to help you get the family and/or dog out of the apartment, or they may make an exception, or they even may cancel your insurance!

This will all depend on your complete documentation of the bite incident.
Please be aware that Canine Behavior Specialists and Veterinary Behaviorists all agree on one thing when it comes to children and dogs: ALL interactions between children and dogs MUST be supervised closely with any child under the age of 12 — and this is in order to protect BOTH the dog and the child.
Young children (and, for that matter, many adults) do not understand the signals that a dog gives when it’s uncomfortable in a situation, and will inadvertently push a dog beyond its tolerance limits. Dog owners need to protect their dogs from kids, and parents need to protect their kids from dogs — bottom line.

A note to EVERYONE with kids and/or dogs: PLEASE visit the Doggone Safe!
website (http://www.doggonesafe.com/) for information on how to help your children be safe around dogs, and your dogs be safe around kids!! Doggone Safe is a non-profit dedicated to preventing dog bites. It’s one of the most worthwhile organizations I know of. There are plenty of free downloadable information and helpful tip sheets available for parents and dog owners.

–
Sincerely,

Jo Jacques, CPDT, CPCT
WiggleBums!
Dog-Friendly Training and Behavior Consulting Salem, MA
978-771-4962
http://www.wigglebums.com
http://www.trulydogfriendly.com
President, International Siberian Husky Club http://www.ishclub.org/ http://cynologycollege.com http://www.dogboston.com/askjo.htm
IAABC# 023
APDT# 064427
IIACAB # 024
ABMA # 221012