Dangerous Dog and Reporting a Homeowner

[salome000]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? North Carolina

Our neighbors are training a Doberman to be an attack dog. They told all the children on our street (13 kids) that they weren't to pet the dog because 'we're training the dog to like only us'. Last night, the man let the dog off the leash and the dog came racing toward my husband (we're two houses down) and the man called the dog off. He was ostensibly seeing if the dog would respond at the expense of my husband's safety. My question is this: I want to know if homeowner's insurance is part of public record and how to find it either online or in person. I've decided to report these people because in the event the dog hurts someone, at least these people will have the insurance enough to handle medical bills. Also, if this dog comes onto my property, do I have the legal right to deal with it in a way I see fit?

By the way...I love animals. I just despise these stupid people whom I've witnessed beating the dog and putting it on a choke chain and dragging it around. Personally, I'd like to see the owner's dispatched for doing this to a poor animal but I think I know the legal ramifications of that <smile>

Thanks!

 

[JETX]

My question is this: I want to know if homeowner's insurance is part of public record and how to find it either online or in person.

It's not. The only way to get it is if they give it to you, either voluntarily or as a part of a lawsuit.

I've decided to report these people because in the event the dog hurts someone, at least these people will have the insurance enough to handle medical bills.

Call your local police and report the incident.

Also, if this dog comes onto my property, do I have the legal right to deal with it in a way I see fit?

No. However, if it is menacing or you consider it a threat... kill it.

By the way...I love animals. I just despise these stupid people whom I've witnessed beating the dog and putting it on a choke chain and dragging it around.

So, what did your local 'animal control' say when you reported their conduct??

 

[salome000]

Thank You!

I appreciate the response. I didn't think to report it to local animal control but will call them first thing on Monday morning.

I have three young sons and have been worried about this (along with three other moms on the block) for months. I'll send your response to them along with any others I may get.

Again, thank you.

 

[msiron]

An 'attack' dog, a ppd or a sentry? Get educated please

training the dog to like only us

Probably more like, training the dog to only respond to OUR commands.

Don't believe EVERYTHING the way children tell it. You may be barking up the wrong tree here and bring yourself allot of trouble because you believe the hype of big scary doberman and this dobe has drive.

He was ostensibly seeing if the dog would respond at the expense of my husband's safety.

You heard him verbally send his dog, purposely? or is this is your opinion because something kicked the dog into drive, he lost hold of the leash, and the dog charged.... oh and it souinds like he has great control over his dog, as he should, since your hubby didn't eat fangs.

I find it VERY hard to believe that a responsible homeowner purposely sent his dog on your husband only to see if his recalled worked.

If you ever report him to his HO (if you find out who it is) you better be willing to take the wrath for it, his HO with no investigation will likely drop his insurance.

If you did that to me because of you fear of dogs, or little neighborhood children's stories, I bust your ass 7 days a week until you sold your house and moved. Not to mention I'd be up your ass with some legal migraines.

If the dog is on your property or OFF his and you feel threatened, then shoot to kill it.

 

[salome000]

He told our neighbor he was training it to be a guard dog so I believe I'm correct in assuming the dog is potentially dangerous.

I never said he 'sic'd' the dog on my husband. The dog just took off and started toward him barking. It's a huge Doberman with cropped ears and tail and barks and growls at everyone.

The fact you used profanity and were so aggressive leads me to assume you have had similar problems in the past and the bottom line is this...if you're dropped by your homeowners, tough. You have a choice. If you're breeding a dog in a residential, middle class neighborhood that is an attack dog (an alarm system would LOWER your rates) and constantly mistreating it to make it mean then you have to deal with the consequences. If that dog hurts my kid or someone else's kid then we have a right to compensation and FAIR compensation at that.

Your 'advice' was not beneficial in the least so please leave the responses to the professionals and take your anger out on someone else.

Thank you.

 

[Tallrat]

You heard him verbally send his dog, purposely? or is this is your opinion because something kicked the dog into drive, he lost hold of the leash, and the dog charged.... oh and it souinds like he has great control over his dog, as he should, since your hubby didn't eat fangs.

Thats not great control. My Boxer is friendly with everyone. He wants to greet everyone. His butt goes a mile a minute. Grab anyone in my family though and he makes cujo look like he just had a slobber problem. Now thats great control and a good neihbor dog.

Hopefully it's not being trained as an attack dog. Only certain individuals need attack dogs. A properly trained guard dog is people friendly until the need arises and they will do what they were bred to do.

Now I dont know how true this is, Maybe one of the lawyers here can say but I heard if you have your dog attack trained or even have a sign that says, Beware of Dog you open your self up to more liability.

 

[salome000]

Tallrat...thank you!

For the record, this morning, I went out to get the paper and the dog charged me barking and growling. The man called him off and it took him two times before the dog, still running, veered back toward him. He lets the dog use the bathroom on the empty home lots across the street here in our subdivision.

I agree re: guard dog vs attack dog. I contacted an old friend last night after my original post and she said the same thing you did...there's a BIG difference between a guard dog and an attack dog. A guard dog isn't aggressive and is fine if they're out and about. An attack dog is trained to be aggressive toward everyone and has been trained to harm people as opposed to guarding property. She said a guard dog is never trained to attack...just guard.

I also found out that this same guy had another Doberman when he first moved here but told my neighbor 'the dog couldn't adjust so we had to get rid of him and get another'.

Nice people. Believe me when I say I could care less if they can't get a lick of insurance on that house.

 

[Tallrat]

I would complain to Animal Control. We have a little scottie dog on my street who put one heck of a nasty bite on a lady down the street. You can only imagine what a dobie could do. If he gets fined a few times he'll either put up a fence or get rid of dog.

 

[las365]

You should care a lot whether they have insurance, because IF the dog does injure someone in your family, the insurance is where you would get a recovery.

I agree with others, report this possibly abusive and apparently irresponsible dog owner to your local authorities.

 

[msiron]

Poster, your friend is wrong or using the wrong term.

I realize what I said may not of helped but let me try to alleviate some of your fears because the fact is, an untrained dog is capable of doing allot more damage than a trained one, who is under the owners control.

Attack is not the correct terminology, he is likely telling someone 'protection dog' and discussing attack scenarios'.

You have to understand that his doberman is probably not a watered down version 'American breed dog', and probably a genetically correct import, working dog, or from a reputable breeder who is keeping this bloodline going, thus a whole different mindset dog.

His eras cropped & tail docked have noting to do with it's genetics or temperament, except you are obviously afraid of this look otherwise there would be no mention of this. Why are you spooked by this look? I don't know, I personally like the look better than the undone dobe.

His first dobe was probably a very 'hard' dog who would not take correction thus the dog was either was put down, or it went to a handler who could utilize the dog for service, such as commercial purposes, meaning a 'guard dog'. Guard dogs, guard territories also known as sentry dogs, with little or no human supervision and do not take even handler control very well. He did the right thing by getting rid of the dog. Responsible.

His dobe now who is likely an out-of-the-box biter due to it's genetics, is best trained HOW to bite effectively, with the least amount of damage inflicted. Dogs like this are trained heavily to understand the 'difference' between an imagined threat and a real adversary. Again responsible.

Dogs like this are also trained in obedience and heavy recall. An owner must have control & recall. These dogs are usually very stable in the mind, this is why they can be taken places, played with, meet strangers, and no one is the wiser.

Yes these dog may appear vicious to you but they are not. That is an incorrect term and they are not (being trained to be vicious), they are just very drivey, over the top dogs due to their genetic breeding and do most everything in this charging & drivey manner, even greeting the people they love, they charge. They have 110% enthusiasm in everything they do.

Why don't you talk to this dog owner and tell him your fears? Google 'protection dog training' first.

And I agree, the dog does not belong on the street except on a leash.

 

[JustAPal00]

How on earth could you know that some idiot who feels the need to have an attack dog has a pure German breed rather than a "watered down American" version?(a little gung-ho aren't we?) OP video tape as much of the owners behavior as possible, then report him to the police. If you can find out who his insurance company is report him to them also. They will probably cancel him without outing you. If you're out with your dog, arm yourself. If his dog comes onto your yard after you or your dog kill him!(or Mace him)