How much do you wanna bet that your dog will not transfer his aggression to a handler trying to break up a dog fight, $10,000 $20,000 $50,000 $100,000 or more because given the severity of the injury that is the liability you are looking at if your dog ever bites a person.

Of course that is your liability, what about the person who carries the pain and the scars of the attack.

I promise you that is a case any attorney would take including me.

I personally think a muzzle is whole lot cheaper. I think trying to fight the other dog is too tough when you also have to contol your dog who is now losing his mind because he is trying to get at the other dog.

I have been there and it sucks plus then you chance getting into a fight with the owner whose "friendly" dog you just bonked on the head.

How would you like to be the woman who singlehandedly introduces breed specific legislation to your area? Do you have no
concern at all for other people and their
pets? Your irresponsability can have far-reaching concequences.A muzzle isn't a fashion accessory,
it's a functional item designed to prevent tragedy.

Cynthia, did she say that she would not want to use a muzzle? Didn't see that. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That was in response to my post, I think.

Her post read like she was not going to use a muzzle since she was able to break up the last dog fight with relative ease. If I read it wrong and she is going to use a muzzle when out on walks then never mind. I just do not think a muzzle is an option in her case.

Bryan. As attorneys, we tend to think in terms of the argument that we will make once in court. I agree with everything that you've said. However, most people don't actually LIKE being in court. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Personally, in can hear opposing counsel saying: "Yes, fluffball was off her leash. Yes, the leash laws were violated. However, cujo is a vicious dog who attacked poor little fluff ball, just because she was there." :rolleyes:

Of course, liability would be determined by whether the State has contributory negligence or comparative negligence. Maryland is a contributory negligence state, so fluffballs owner would be SOL, but that's not true in a comparative negligence state.

 Quote:

However, most people don't actually LIKE being in court.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> They don't? Then why do they keep making me go? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

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"Yes, fluffball was off her leash. Yes, the leash laws were violated. However, cujo is a vicious dog who attacked poor little fluff ball, just because she was there."

Well, that's where explaining the dog psyche would have to come in, I suppose -- damn those expert witnesses. They cost even more than lawyers. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> It's a good thing we have a pool of them right here. Anyway, I'm lucky enough to own dogs that everyone thinks are "cute", like big teddy bears.

Bryan,
Yes, I thought that was understood, esp. since Michelle takes her dog to isolated areas, keeps him on leash, and avoids other dogs. That is why I suggested option of the stick and pepper spray; this dog seems to have no issues with people, only dogs, and the owner is aware of it, and takes appropriate precautions. An unleashed dog is a threat, and I feel confident any jury (if it came to that, which I doubt) would side with you if you injured an unleashed, untrained dog entered your social space without invitation, and was not deterred by verbal warning.

The dog showed no aggression to the handler when she broke up the fight. The dog is not fighting for its life, nor fighting out of dominance, so I think, based upon her description of her dog's behaviour, there is low risk for redirected aggression. Dogs that redirect usually have thin nerves, or they are in a survival type of situation in which any movement is threatening movement.

That is why she must have a SOLID down stay, so that she can handle the off leash menance to dog society herself, her dog is not involved, and it becomes a strictly human defending against a dog attack type thing.

A pit who is suspicious of strangers is not withing the breed description, and should be handled in a manner appropriate to the level of aggression the dog displays. That is much more concerning.