Question:
I recently had a horrible experience a few weeks ago with a criminal and some how he came out on top. My garage was broken into, and my two "guard dogs" who would never attack someone unless they had a reason attacked the guy. I have a great dane who is all look and no action, she is a big happy air head(she is around 35" and 130lbs) and a Great Pyrenees/anatolian/newfoundland cross Humpfree(he is 36" and 145lbs), who clearly has flock guardian roots and is a very docile, sweet boy, unless you mess with his flock. They are both very well trained, because I teach obedience lessons to other people and they are my demo dogs. I have done obedience trials with them. I take both of them to work everyday with me, and there are horses, other dogs, kids and lots of stranger everywhere there. I have never had any reasons to doubt my dogs, other than barking at people when they first come on the property but they stop once they figure out if that person is supposed to be there or not.

The burgular left my property with 42 stitches and lots of bruises. I was at home at the time however I had a horrible flu and was passed out in the house. The doctor that saw the guy at the hospital said that the guys wounds looked like they from an angle that the guy would have to have been kicking my dog or jumping over him. Still the city slapped me with $500 in charges and did a investigation into whether my dogs should be put on the dangerous dog list, meaning they would have to chained on my property and muzzled and on leash at all times off my property.

Luckily the bylaws officer that came to my house to investigate see's me walking at a river valley off leash park all the time, when he is walking his dog. He came into my house with his partner and they said 'we need to see these vicious dogs of yours', so I called the dogs in, and they both went bounding up to the officers, tails wagging. nothing ever came of the vicious dog accusations but I was still fined. the burgular was never charged with anything.

Is it fair that even on your own property, depending on you cities bylaws, your pets aren't safe from the rest of the world. How can you blame a guard dog for guarding it's owner and property????


Answer:
I know it very frustrating but if you didn't have a sign up saying that you had guard dogs on duty (or any sign saying you had dogs) and if someone happens to get hurt on your property, it is said to be your fault according to laws. Although I think it also depends if you do anything about it. I think talking to a lawyer about it would be helpful. Good luck.


Answer:
wow, that really does suck

i would definately talk to a lawyer, and in the mean time get one of those "beware of dog" signs..heck, after hearing this i think *I* am going to get one, though i doubt Lucy would bother lol, but you never know what your sweetie will do if she/he thinks his family is in danger, ya know?

but, to kind of put a "glass is half full" spin on the situation, at least it's only a $500 fine. i'm sure it would be more than that if the burgaler had gotten anything, and, with you asleep inside, heaven forbid if he got in there, or what he might have done...*shudders*

give your brave babies a huge hug...


Answer:
I've always kept a beware of dog sign up- even though it really is more of a joke. It came in handy very well two years back when the UPS guy took after Sirius with a log and Sirius bit him on the leg. He also hit Sirius in the eye with the stick. I called at him to stop until I got Sirius by the collar and he wouldn't listen to me. In the end, UPS guy had to pay the vet bill (was only $45) and he got taken off his truck and stuck in the processing. Sirius is all bark- and not scary if you ask me- he's only about 60lbs- but you come at him with a stick and he's gonna lunge at you. All the meter readers, etc know him by now- just give him a second to sniff your hand and he's all wiggles and wags. Pretty much like any dog.

Incidentally, last summer our home was broken into- I was also home in bed sick- scared the guy off- thought it was the cats banging and yelled for them to cut it out anad he took off. Sirius, and Lila (85lb Ridgeback RIP) slept through hte whole thing.

I would definitely get a lawyer over that fine, though. Luckily, we didn't have to take it that far- UPS was more than ready to settle something privately. Seems to me- sign or no sign- a stranger coming into the yard with two huge dogs is just asking for it.


Answer:
Jenna, i have a Q for you, is not the UPS driver able to be on privite property to diliver the package? and why did the guy have a log? was he afraid of your dog? seems to me the way you wrote your post your dog was at fault for biting a UPS guy and as far as meter readers and such if your dog bites one of them good luck in court you wont win that one, by law they have a right to be on your property invited or not. to the Guard dogs who did the right thing i think they should get extra kisses from now on


Answer:
Originally Posted by Hera
Jenna, i have a Q for you, is not the UPS driver able to be on privite property to diliver the package? and why did the guy have a log? was he afraid of your dog? seems to me the way you wrote your post your dog was at fault for biting a UPS guy
anyone who works in a way that they have to go onto private property should know how to handle property that has dogs. you don't handle it by acting aggressively toward the animal. period.


Answer:
Oh and Jennawing, if your dog lunges at people with logs in thier hands your not being responsible for the safety of your dogs, did you say you live on a farm? even if your dogs are allowed free run something is very wrong if people are going around carrying sticks to fend off your "Guard dog"


Answer:
Naj, in her post it does say the guy went after the dog with a log ive never known a Ups person to go after a dog but, i wonder what the dog was acting like for the guy to feel the need to have the log in the first place she said S is all bark but that can scare any person into thinking the dog might bite, so that said why was the dog outside when the ups guy came anyway? still this sounds to me like irresponsibility Jenna talks about how big her dog is but what if the guy really knew how to fend off a dog then it would be another story, i do feel no person should swing at a dog for no reason thats not what i have issue with but since Jenna was not watching who knows which one started it by law the ups guy has every right to defend himself if the dog started it or not, just my veiw and my opinion thanks!


Answer:
Originally Posted by Hera
Oh and Jennawing, if your dog lunges at people with logs in thier hands your not being responsible for the safety of your dogs, did you say you live on a farm? even if your dogs are allowed free run something is very wrong if people are going around carrying sticks to fend off your "Guard dog"
I think you need to read a little better. Jenna did not say the guy was carrying a stick to defend himself. She said he TOOK AFTER THE DOG WITH A LOG. that would mean he is the one who attacked the dog and not vice versa. The dog lunged because he got attacked, not because the guy was carrying a log.

Plus if Jenna had a sign up warning people there were dogs on the property, I don't see where the irresponsibility is. She warned the guy there were dogs around, he chose to enter anyway, and then HE attacked the dog with a log. Something was very wrong with the delivery guy, not the dog or Jenna.


Answer:
exactly, sophie.

you are just dense if you expect a dog to NOT defend his/her property and family. that is what dogs DO, that is their nature. to him that guy was trespassing, and then acting aggressively to boot, of COURSE the dog is going to lunge. i don't know many dogs who won't.

i think EVERYONE should take some lessons on how animals behave, because lack of understanding is what leads to attacks 90% of the time. especially when you are in a job that requires you to go onto people's property and face these dogs who may see you as something that is out to cause harm to their family.