Quote: Aaron Myracle

Advice?

Start looking for a new place to live; chances are the landlord is about to adopt a no-dog policy.

I'm reasonably sure that won't happen. This place is extremely dog-friendly and they basically have the low-priced dog-friendly market in our town cornered, in a county full of pet freaks. They wouldn't kill their golden goose.

Hilarie--yes, same guy.

ACO came out, talked to me, then him. What's really stupid is that he initially denied to her that there was a bite, and said the dog simply jumped up. Thankfully the dogs are current on their rabies vaccines.

There really isn't too much more that can be done here unless the dog does something like this again. The cops have pretty much reached the limits of their authority, now it's up to the apt. management company (or me if I decide to sue him--more likely his renters' insurance policy if he has one).

The apt management has an incident report now, which features the # of the police report. They'll have pics soon, as I took some right after the bite.

and I'm OK guys, thanks. There was some broken skin in two places, but my fleece protected me from getting torn up too badly. Just thinking though, what if that was my wife? THAT bugs me out. I'll be going for a tetanus shot next week, I supposed. Thanks for all the advice.

I'm sure my advice is different than every one else's.
first, when I lived in WA state they had a law stating ANY and all dogs that have physically gone after a human and broke skin or clothing is to be put down. any and ALL dogs that have killed a small animal (rabbit, cat, bunny ect) is to be put down, and any loose dog that you see going towards you livestock, other animals, or (more importantly) you family you have the right to shoot on the spot. even if they haven't bit anyone..but you "think" they might. you have the right.
That being said you have the right to defend yourself even in an apt setting. Esspecially if the dog is loose. get some bear mase, a walking cane, a tazer..ect. wouldn't advise a gun though in such tight living courters with your neighbors.
I hope they took that dog, better yet, his owner and put him to sleep. It's honestly NOT the dogs fault he wasn't properly socialized, trained, restrained, or cared for by the owner. Most likely they will cite him, creat a file on the dog and the owner, and if you have proof that this dog has had previous "issues" with other tennates. then you have the right to demand apt manger kick him and the dog...or just the dog out asap. It is the managers JOB to keep his tennates in a safe enviroment. I wouldn't hessitate to demand that dog (and hopfully the owner) be removed offf the property asap. My guess would be there are children in your area..and I am just glad you didn't get hurt and no little child got mauled. I am not a proponet of legal suites..but you could for sure take him to court for monatary gain if you felt like it. if you were scared even for a second it's considered a form of serious harrasment..not to mention the rude neighbor spewing profanity in your face. If your management refuses to deal with it..you could take them to court too. The first hessitation they show (management)remind them you have the legal right to live in a safe enviroment free of harrasment, fear of bodily harm, and emotional dissress. use the biggest words you can and you will have no problems removing the problem so it never happens again. If you are to persue full retaliation I suggest working on getting the owner out of there first. and just keep in mind you have to live next to this bose-O until either of you move.

Stephanie--This complex has a lot of children in it.

I was on the stairs and he was on the landing. So he had to jump in order to get me right around the armpit...if we were on level ground, or I was a small child, he would have got my face or neck.

The way he bit was so casual and automatic, I am 99% sure he's done it before.

The dog is now under what basically amounts to 'house arrest' for 10 days. He can only be taken out to do his business, though I have little confidence that the owner will adhere to this guideline or change his behavior at all.

I'm really curious to see how the apt management reacts to this. They took my earlier complaint about this neighbor very seriously once they realized the dog was actually biting other dogs. This is now quite a bit beyond that.

 Quote: Cheri Grissom

Well, my first thought upon reading your post, Ross, is what a moron your neighbor must be if he got in your face and threatened you after HIS dog bit YOU.

I know right? This guy has a total common-sense blind spot when it comes to his dogs.

The ACO went over to his apartment and knocked on his door, and the guy tried to talk to her with the dogs just kind of pushing towards the ACO around him. She had to say multiple times that she would not come in to talk to him unless they were put away and finally he did it.

 Quote: stephanie bishop

when I lived in WA state they had a law stating ANY and all dogs that have physically gone after a human and broke skin or clothing is to be put down. any and ALL dogs that have killed a small animal (rabbit, cat, bunny ect) is to be put down, and any loose dog that you see going towards you livestock, other animals, or (more importantly) you family you have the right to shoot on the spot. even if they haven't bit anyone..but you "think" they might. you have the right.

Thats not entirely true about WA.... I've owned dogs that have been registered as 'dangerous dogs', the laws vary from county to county. For example, King county (Seattle area) has the tightest laws for dog bites- BUT, the dog may be re-homed out of the county. I can't tell you how many dogs the rescue I used to manage got from King County that were wonderful family pets. In Kitsap County, one bite will get you on the 'dangerous dog' list, 3 bites you are at risk of euthanasia. Those are only bites that break skin and draw blood.

 Quote: Ross Rapoport

So I continued down the stairs, sticking to the wall on the right. The dog just jumped up on me and bit me, no hesitation.

My shirt is intact, but for some slobber. Looks like he did break the skin, though. I called the county PD non-emergency # and they are sending an ACO my way as we speak.

The guy flipped out when it happened...got in my face and threatened me, spewing profanity from an inch away.

Thoughts?

His dog bites you, he flips out, threatens, and screams in your face...Where and what was his dog doing as this was happening, was he still lunging toward you?

He bit me on his way up the stairs. The guy had the retractable leash on its most lenient setting, so the dogs continued up the stairs as he was leaning in to make his point.

I'd file assault charges against the guy, too.
You've got grounds.

Interesting, how do you figure? He has never actually touched me himself.

He saw me on my balcony today and was very apologetic, which I tolerated until he tried to revise the incident to "I didn't know the dog bit you, I would have reacted totally differently."

I then reminded him that he acknowledged the bite immediately, and effectively said I had it coming. He said "I thought you said something else, that's not what I heard."

I didn't exactly blow my stack, but I got pretty gruff and told him point blank that I couldn't trust anything he said, thought he was a psychopath, and was only being conciliatory because a cop showed up at his door.

Getting in your face, screaming profanity, all the while holding the leash of a dog that has already bitten you would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety.

That's the definition of assault. There doesn't have to be physical contact.