In NM our "dog laws" are pretty much the same as the post by Katherine stated. If anyone is treated by a doctor etc. the state and local authorities are notified and the dog is quarantined. Then its pretty much out of your hands as far as the dog goes.

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By the way, I was told by a health professional that I should have gone to the hospital last night! Even though it was puncture wounds only, seeking immediate medical attention to a dog bite that breaks the skin (but seemingly nothing more) is critical. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

The reasoning behind that is that the mouth is a very, very dirty place -- loads of bacteria and such that simply doesn't do well in the bloodstream. Bite wounds have an exceedingly high chance of infection and that's why they recommend they are treated immediately. They frequently will not stitch them at all, or stitch them very loosely if on the face/neck/hands, as to not 'close in' the infection.

I got to learn all this good stuff while I sat for 4+ hours in an ER waiting room, waiting to get my eyebrow stitched up and hoping it didn't turn green or anything after they did it. Bites are no fun. While I'm thinking of my personal experiences, make sure your son always takes that antibiotic on a really full stomach. That stuff's powerful and can make you feel very sick if it's been a couple hours since you've eaten.

Hope all goes well. Keep us informed on how this whole thing works out; I hope the family doesn't 'retaliate' or anything! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'd report it. Sounds like it's unsafe for your kid to be there, what with the daycare, illegal grooming, improperly managed large dogs, etc.

I hope your son recovers without a hitch!

EDIT: Just saw that it's getting reported. I'd still report the illegal grooming thing, but that's just me.

Thanks Katherine. Glad you sent that. This is good information to know with regard to my dog. He's friendly but you just never know when he's going to decide the cable guy should be driven out of town <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> ! People just walk onto my property at an alarming rate! Just last week the cable guy just walked right up onto my backyard patio even AFTER he "met" my 80 lb. GSD. Go figure. It's a nothing-ever-happens-here, flowers and picket fences kind of neighborhood and I think it causes people to let their guard down.

Judy,
First off let me say that I am very glad that NJ requires the Dr to report this type of event and that you do not have to do that directly yourself. Although either way I am sure that you are aware that you will be blamed after all you are taking your son to the Dr (Right thing to do).
Yes to me the concerning issus was that the dog bit a known member and not some one whom they did not know. That is very concerning and hopefully this will be a wake up call for your X and his current wife. Would not be to worried as now you know that the dog has had it shoots and all. Heck I think most members of this board have been bitten by there pups and had them break the skin for sure. I know mine has, thank God his puppy teeth are gone at last :-).
That is wise on Mom's part to instruct her son's to stay away from this dog. If the lady whom was just killed by her Presia has listened to others, she may still be around, she did not and that cost her, her life, not even counting the trama that her 9 year old must be experiencing from watching the event. Remind your kids of this event, a 200 lb dog is nothing to play with. Luckily this dog grabed your sons hand and not some other part of his body, things could have been so much worse.
Good luck!!!

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As I said in my original post, it's very disturbing that he knows my son and bit him anyway. That tells me either the dog always had a screw loose and we were just plain lucky all this time or something has changed in that household or in that dog.

your son is 17. did he by any chance have a big growth spurt in the past two years? perhaps when the dog was spending a lot of time with him, two to five years ago, your son looked and possibly even smelled very different?

i happen to have an english mastiff and a stepson who is 16, and who used to visit more frequently when he was younger. in the past two years that boy has shot up to 6'3" and wears size 15 shoes. he only visits a couple of times a year. my dog no longer recognizes him! (he is fine with him, but treats him with the same wary indifference he shows to all strangers.) and the first two years of my dog's life they spent most of the summers together and were good buddies.

i'm not excusing the dog's or the stepmother's behavior, just saying that maybe your son is actually a "new" person to the dog now.

Hmmm. I doubt he sees my son as a different person because although my son has been there only intermittently in the last 2 years, (about 2 or 3 times/year) he did not change significantly in height or weight. As to whether he smells differently...I wouldn't have a clue <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> !

I will add that this dog has always been fearful to the extreme. You name it, he's afraid of it. Too many things to list here. But, he's never been "afraid" of his family members or, at least to my knowledge, bitten anyone. Gee, I guess I'll find out soon enough, won't I. Better sleep with one eye open from now on <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> .

Joking aside, I think it's imperative it get reported for that very reason. This might not be a first.

a fearful dog is a dangerous dog. unfortunately, EM's have a hereditary tendency towards shyness, fearfulness, and for this reason EMs have to be heavily socialized as young puppies. good breeders do not breed shy mastiffs.

that's too bad about the dog and your son.

Oh lovely, a 200 pound uncontrolled nerve-bag who now fears and/or hates your son, living with a couple of irresponsible scoff-law IDIOTS -- You've got your work cut out for ya, Girlfriend...

Funny- I was reading training articles written by a Mastiff breeder today- these two follow along the same topic.
Kendall- mastiff article

Nightmare on Elm Street- mastiff article