Hi, I am new to this site so hope I am correctly posting etc - Anyway, on Friday I took my GSD Prinz, to Dog Beach. All was fine till a German Short Hair began growling and pushing into Prinz - I immediately went to take Prinz out of the situation but it was to late -dogs barking and fighting pack like. My dog was the largest and within sec's had the german short hair in a submissive position and I was able to leash him and my husband walked him away. I was concerned for the G short hair being that so many dogs got involved then scattered. I asked the woman if this was normal behavior and if her dog was fixed - "Buck" wasn't fixed is all's she said. Buck had no signs of puncture on his back I told her that my Dog had all his shots, did hers? I man came over and lifed the dog's leg and there was blood. I got upset and said they better get to a vet she said she didn't think anything would come of it - meanwhile the man had walked the dog (unleashed) away. I said she should go to the vet and here's my number if they needed help. In retrospect that was the wrong thing to do! We left the park immediately as we saw it was not a good place to be.
What it comes to is this: the next day the man called me and wants my address so he can send me the bill for $. I told him I was glad he called and that I would gladly help but that I couldn't just write a ck I would help pay a vet bill as long as he realized and singed something saying that my dog was not responsible for the wound. Man cursed and hung up.
Today the Dept. of Animal Services was at my gate. I had no problem giving the officer my Dog's tag numbers and letting him check out my dog. He told me a complaint was made saying my dog had bitten another at Dog Beach. I explained - he said he really couldn't comment just for me to fill out a form and send it back. I would appreciate any opinions and such PLEASE.
Am I liable? Can I be sued? My dog is a registered German Shepard 21/2 yrs old @ 120 pounds. He has never been aggressive and we have never had a problem before. Since the incident he has been somewhat jumpy.

Hi, Susan,

Something we might all take away from this: Dog parks are a bad plan, IMO. There is no possible way that we can depend on the control other handlers have of their dogs, even if we are 100% certain of our own.

Here's a site with detailed dog bite information, including dog park legal issues:

http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/dog_park.html


Sending you a P.M.

Good luck!

Thank you Connie, Since the incident I have read up on Dog Parks and realize how harmful they can be. Actually that is where I found this site Leerburg's articles are very helpful - altho in my case -hindsight- We won't be going to those parks anymore! Thankyou for the link.
Susan

Stick to your guns about the other owner signing a release of liability.
As a fellow Californian, and someone that deals with people and the law (not a attorney)
I would recommend complete documentation (while it’s still fresh in your mind) of the incident along with pictures and statements from any wittiness that saw what happened. One of the big problems is people forget the details, thinking they will not need them.
If there is a spot on the form that animal control gave you for comments or rebuttal use it, make sure you photocopy the form for your records before sending it back.
I commend you on wanting to pay for the vet bills just don’t let these people take advantage of you.

jmho

Susan,
Even though your dog came out on top, I recommend that you be vigilant about your dog near other dogs in the near future. About 2 months ago, my older GSD (11 yo) was jumped by a younger dog. He had her head in his mouth in seconds. She lay on the ground and screamed, the other owner managed to disengage his dog. Meanwhile, my young very gentle male GSD bit the attacking dog, and grazed the other owner in the course of his biting. He has NEVER bitten or fought before. Her physical injuries were pretty minor, physic ones have lasted a long time. Since then , I cannot walk them together off lead, except very late at night, when no-one is around. She is very reactive, and he guards her.

I am late as usual but dog parks are nothing but trouble! If not for just dogs running free but the prospect of people there looking for something to gain. Your money!

I am late as usual but dog parks are nothing but trouble! If not for just dogs running free but the prospect of people there looking for something to gain. Your money!

Sorry, don't know how I did that but maybe just emphasising my opinion on dog parks. still learning this new format on the forum

I'm not a lawyer and don't pretend do be one, but does offering to pay/help pay the vet bills constitute an admission of guilt/fault?

1) If your dog bites, you call the police.
2) If you unholster your gun (heck if you grab it and don't unholster it) call the police.

In our culture whoever tells first is presumed to be the victim. Even if you're the victim when the other person complains first (and lies) everything you say (even if it's the truth, you have video, and the Pope himself was your witness) will be the same thing guilty people say, and, you're just trying to cover your butt/make excuses.