Dog Incident

[jersey32]

What is the name of your state? Florida

Not sure if I'm posting in the correct section or not. My husband and I have a two year old German Shepard. He is a great dog. Attends a doggie day care once a week religiously for the past year. They love him there. Well when I went to pick him up yesterday the lady from the daycare walked him out to me and when my dog turned the corner there was a woman there and he went for her leg and bit her pretty good. My husband and I were completely shocked at his behavior and so was the daycare. Luckily the lady was fairly nice, the daycare cleaned it up and her husband arrived to take her to the hospital. THey ended up going home b/c their doctor is an ER doctor and he got it all cleaned up for her and she is going today to get a tetnis shot. I called last night to check on her which she said she appreciated. I faxed her my dogs vaccination history so she can see everything was up to date. I've been willing to give her anything she needs - pay the medical bills, check up on her, etc. I even let her know that we are now looking into obedience schools for our dog. Question - if she does want to proceed with this legally what can happen? I know some states have a one-bite law but I dont think that Florida is one of those states. I'm terrified of losing my dog. Please help!

[fairisfair]

[url]http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/Florida.html[/url]

[jersey32]

Thanks Fairisfair. I looked at that website all last night. I know we will responsible for bills and future issues, etc. But it doesnt say does the dog get quarantined or is it really just all the owners responsibility. It wasnt a vicious attack like you sometimes hear in the news, but in those cases they take the dog away. I dont think that would happen to us in this specific case, but i'm just really upset about the whole situation.

[fairisfair]

[url]http://www.pbcgov.com/pubsafety/animal/page16.htm[/url]

[jersey32]

Thanks for that website it helped out more!! I know they vary by county. Do you happen to know where there is one for Orange or Seminole County? I really do appreciate your help. I tried to find a website for my county but it was not nearly as helpful as the one from Palm Beach.

[fairisfair]

[url]http://www.bestjail.com/cms/DEPT/CEsrvcs/animal/dangerous.htm[/url]

did you look here? They don't seem to have the actual statutes online, but I would imagine they could direct you in how to get them.

[pinkgirliee]

From my experience with a dog bite, my pitbull puppy was quarantined for 2 weeks (it's supposed to be 10 days). It all depends on if the victim reports the bite to Animal Control. In my situation, my neighbor clamed to have gotten bit by my dog. There's no proof and besides, he stated in the report that he grabbed her by the collar when she did it. The animal control officer said the victim was looking into an attorney. Sofar I haven't heard anything.

[fairisfair]

no actually it all depends on if your dog has the proper vaccinations and you have proof, and if he has ever bitten before.

and it doesn't matter if your neighbor grabbed her by the tail and swung her in the air. There is no valid provocation for dog bite. By the way, just curious, but how did your neighbor get his hands on your dog anyway??

[gawm]

Originally Posted by fairisfair

and it doesn't matter if your neighbor grabbed her by the tail and swung her in the air. There is no valid provocation for dog bite.

I don't know about that. Someone can't stick a pencil in your dogs ear and then sue you when he bites. That's what dogs do. If you are an adult and you are trespassing on someones property or intentionally provoking a dog and it bites you, I don't think you have much of a case.