So last night my mom and I were having dinner while my bf was at the gym. The doorbell rang and since we could see the person through our kitchen window (it was a sales man) we chose not to answer it b/c we didn't think it was important enough to interrrupt dinner with. But we only had the screen door shut (not the wooden door) so he opened it, poked his head in our house and said "hello?"
Well, our dog went NUTS! She ran out and started jumping and barking all over this guy. I ran out after her and tried to grab her but in the commotion salesman guy stepped in between her and I and she nipped at him. She didn't hurt him or break skin or anything but I think it scared the shit out of him (he called her a F*cking Bastard). I managed to grab her and haul her back in the house, while my mom made sure he was ok. (he was, and he went on with his sales spiel)
It really scared the crap out of me, though. She is usually so good natured and while she doesn't always love strangers, she has never been so crazy around someone. My mom thinks she was perfectly justified in attacking b/c he tried to enter our house without our knowledge or consent. We were alone and she was trying to protect us. This guy was a fairly large man and old enough to know better than to enter someone else's premises (I would put him in his late 20-early 30s). It was also really scary that he would just try to walk into our house.
Are you responsible for a dog attack if it is on your property? Would we have to pay a fine (or worse, have her put down) if he registered a complaint? Does anyone know the proper action for something like this?
FYI- he hasn't registered a complaint nor did he say he was going to. I want to be prepared if I need to cover my butt.
I don't know anything about the law, but I would HOPE that you have some recourse since he entered your house uninvited. It wasn't like the guy was wandering down the street and your dog attacked him. Part of your dog's job is to protect you and it sounds like she did her job well.
I'm so sorry to hear this happened to you. Did you give the salesman a big WTF?! for opening your door? I would have been furious.
unfortunately, yes you are responsable for what happens on your property (my childhood dog got old and cranky and the neighbor was provoking him and we had to have him put down! ). In this case you should be fine, since he didn't actually bit him- I don't see how he could prove anything if the skin didn't break.
Three words: What. An. Idiot. I don't know anything about the law, but I would HOPE that you have some recourse since he entered your house uninvited. It wasn't like the guy was wandering down the street and your dog attacked him. Part of your dog's job is to protect you and it sounds like she did her job well. I'm so sorry to hear this happened to you. Did you give the salesman a big WTF?! for opening your door? I would have been furious.
I agree with this.. Your doggie is smarter than you think!
omg!!! I would have let the dog bit him too! unfortunately, yes you are responsable for what happens on your property (my childhood dog got old and cranky and the neighbor was provoking him and we had to have him put down! ). In this case you should be fine, since he didn't actually bit him- I don't see how he could prove anything if the skin didn't break.
Yes, unfortunately ILoveChoo is right. I remember one of my college law professors telling us these crazy stories where somebody came in to rob a house, fell and got hurt, and sued the owner! Or people trespassing and slipping on ice and suing the owner of the house.
That guy was a jerk! How did he react? Do you know what company he was selling for so you can complain about him coming inside your home?
well, i've always heard that if someone breaks into your house you have the right to shoot them (is it weird that i know/believe this?)... so it only follows that if someone breaks in (technically) and your dog bites them (good job, doggie!) then you are in the clear! self protection!!
Laws vary, but generally it is true that you are responsible for a dog bite regardless of the circumstances. Whether or not the city could take your dog away is based on local laws and varies widely. While the incident is fresh in your mind, I would write, date, and sign a little memo to keep on hand in case anything comes up. I'm not sure about Canada, but in the U.S. it is really common for insurances companies to deny homeowners insurance to people who have dogs with a bite history. At the end of the day, it is unlikely that he'll report your dog to local animal control. Hopefully, they would tell him what a jerk he is for walking right in.
In terms of your dog's behavior, I wouldn't worry about it. It is completely normal for a well-adjusted dog to protect his home and family in that manner. I agree that the dog is completely justified.
Good doggie!! Did your mom get his business card? I would call his boss and tell them that he entered your house without your consent and that you want him reprimanded. Furthermore, I would call the local police and tell them exactly what happened. I am pretty sure that because he was trespassing you can not be held liable for the dog.
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"Whatever you are, be a good one." --Abraham Lincoln
Holy shit! I can't believe the balls on that salesman!
Your dog did what it's instincts told it too--you two were alone and some strange man walked into your house. Your dog has no idea who is a salesman and who isn't, so your dog was protecting you.
That salesman should be fired immediately for opening your door. That is not okay, and I can't imagine any company would condone that. I doubt even if you did voluntarily open the door that he would be allowed to even step foot inside your house, for fear of a lawsuit.
However, if your dog were to have bitten him, you would have (unfortunately) been responsible. I doubt that you would have to put the dog down, but you probably would have some penalty.
I really hope you call the company the sales guy worked for and complain about the incident. He should be sacked for that!