http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2006/9/15/183035.html

I wonder how much that tree cost? I bet it must have cost thousands to have tied a dog to it. I have a costly house that I put my dogs in to protect.. Never really understood that.

The article didn't even mention why the woman opened the gate to go into the backyard instead of going directly to the front door, very stupid of her. She must have known about the dog, since the owner had the dog 2 years. It's sad what happened to her, but the dog was doing what it was meant to do, protect its home. Why would she even have a right to press charges...

As for going in through the backyard, I live in a basement apartment in a house so people have to come into the backyard to get to me. I assumed that the dog was tied to a tree on the guys own property and there was no fence seperating the two bakcyards and he saw her and got loose.
Or am I reading that wrong? They didn't mention the guy lived in the same house so Iam assuming the dog was in a different backyard. Maybe she just got careless about going in the backyard because the dog never kicked up a fuss before, but this time something set the dog off.
And by law, she does have the right to press charges. I've heard of people who were bitten by dogs while they were robbing a house or trespassing on someone's property pressing charges. If your dog bites someone, I think you're held responsible and can be charged. At least thats how it is in Canada.
Here's a couple of instances I found:

If Crime Won't Pay Our Tort System Will

"My father explained a case to me, in which a burglar broke into a family's house and the owner sent his dog after the thief. The dog attacked and injured the burglar. The burglar then sued the owner of the dog for being attacked and hurt."
Kent Krech, Garnet Valley High School, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania

"...people who put up beware of dog signs are still getting sued when their dog bites a trespasser. I think this is ridiculous. The courts argue that if a person puts up a sign that person knows his dog is mean, therefore that person is liable if the dog bites someone. Even a burglar can sue if he is bitten by a dog. That even makes less sense because the dog is defending his home. Isn't that why some owners get a dog. Where does the responsibility lie?"
Kim Johnson, Centerville High School, Centerville, South Dakota

"A burglar, attempting to break into a house through a skylight was injured when it collapsed under his weight. He sued the skylight company--and won."
Tate Kauffman, Big Spring High School, Newville, Pennsylvania


That last one doesn't reflect on dogs, but i put it in anyway. I am not saying I agree with it, but i do think she has every right to charge the guy. But thats my opinion.

Here's another link:

http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBFH38F5SE.html

I saw this on the news lastnight, the woman looked to be chewed up pretty good. She had bandages on both arms as well as her left leg. In the television interview, she said she knew of the dog, having seen it chained up before, but she wasn't sure how the dog got loose or why it attacked.

If memory serves, they said the dog has since been euthanized. It's a shame too, it was a real good looking dog.


Andy.