dog bite victim

[Donnab1957]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Maine
I came home from work to find a "loose" dog on my property, in an attempt to be responsible I tried to rescue the dog and return it to either the owner (whom I thought was my neighbor) or the dog officer, I live on a very busy road and I feared the dog would be killed by a car. The dog had no collar, I took a collar from one of my former (deceased) dogs and when I tried to place the collar on the dog it bit me in the face. Am I in the wrong on this matter?

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by Donnab1957

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Maine
I came home from work to find a "loose" dog on my property, in an attempt to be responsible I tried to rescue the dog and return it to either the owner (whom I thought was my neighbor) or the dog officer, I live on a very busy road and I feared the dog would be killed by a car. The dog had no collar, I took a collar from one of my former (deceased) dogs and when I tried to place the collar on the dog it bit me in the face. Am I in the wrong on this matter?

I don't know that I would have done the same thing...strange dogs may bite.

However, did you actually find out who the owner is? If you didn't, then you will have nobody to go after to recoup any medical care costs you incurred.

[RRevak]

Originally Posted by Donnab1957

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Maine
I came home from work to find a "loose" dog on my property, in an attempt to be responsible I tried to rescue the dog and return it to either the owner (whom I thought was my neighbor) or the dog officer, I live on a very busy road and I feared the dog would be killed by a car. The dog had no collar, I took a collar from one of my former (deceased) dogs and when I tried to place the collar on the dog it bit me in the face. Am I in the wrong on this matter?

Unfortunatly yes although i'm not sure as to what your exact question is. I say unfortunately as I can understand your desire to want to keep the dog from being harmed. As a person who has had many a rescue in my house I can sympathize. BUT, as you did not know this dog or its temperment, rather than attempt to gather the dog on your own you should have called local Animal Care and Control to handle the situation. Thats what they're trained to do. It would have saved you the injury to your face.

[RRevak]

Originally Posted by Zigner

I don't know that I would have done the same thing...strange dogs may bite.

However, did you actually find out who the owner is? If you didn't, then you will have nobody to go after to recoup any medical care costs you incurred.

As the dog had no collar, unless it was micro-chipped there is no way to accurately determine the dogs owner.

[ecmst12]

Yeah I can't say I agree with your decision, you probably should have just let animal control take care of him. Even if you identify the owner, and they are partially liable for letting the dog run loose, you certainly contributed to the situation by trying to approach the scared and confused dog who did not know you.