Quote: Aaron Myracle

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.

I believe he was threatened as well...

I gotta say that in the "real world", Ross reacted with a cool head and a bad situation didn't escalate into a much worse situation ( that sadly, I probably would have been a part of ).
My hat's off to him!

 Quote: will rambeau

I gotta say that in the "real world", Ross reacted with a cool head and a bad situation didn't escalate into a much worse situation ( that sadly, I probably would have been a part of ).
My hat's off to him!

For sure!

 Quote: will rambeau

I gotta say that in the "real world", Ross reacted with a cool head and a bad situation didn't escalate into a much worse situation ( that sadly, I probably would have been a part of ).
My hat's off to him!

And I'd have had your back - either of you, or both of you....

Aw man it's a lovefest! Dana, thanks for your public and private messages of support.

Will, thanks. We may not agree on some policy/philosophy matters, but I do look up to you in terms of "what to do when SHTF," so that meant a lot coming from you. :thumbup:

So, an update--I just got done talking to the apartment community manager, who asked me "What do you want to happen here?" I said honestly that being a dog owner myself, I did not want to insist that the dog be put to sleep/rehomed, but that it must be walked on a real leash and when she suggested a muzzle, I said that a short leash + muzzle would have prevented all of those situations from occurring and that sounded about right.

She may be over-ruled by her superiors in the company, who don't work on-site. They may decide to get rid of the dog, or the guy, on their own.

Sucks about the bite, sounds like your apartment manager(s) will be taking care of the problem though, in one fashion or another.

If you think you might need some medical care, be it a tetnus or more, I'd get it done ASAP, and I'd send him the bill. If he balks about paying it remind him that a medical bill or two is letting him off easy, you could sue for physical and emotional damages if you really wanted to.

I was bit a number of years ago by a dog who got loose from it's yard and attacked me/my dogs. After it bit me we chased it off, it went around the back of their house and they must have let it inside because when I went to their front door they tried to claim it couldn't have been their dog, it had been inside the whole time. When I gave a detailed description they backed down, and ended up paying about 1000-1200 in medical bills. The first bill they paid right away, the second bill they balked until I mentioned "law suit" and then that one was also paid in a timely fashion.

 Quote: Ross Rapoport

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.

If this happens again remember that dispatch often forgets that assault does not have to consist of physical contact. Depending on how formalized the relationship is between the PD and animal control a report of the dog incident may be the only thing contained in the report. People aren't their responcibility. That said, In some areas the ACO is a police officer in a different uniform with full law enforcement powers.

Ask them to send somebody from the PD next time due to the aggresive behavior on the part of that guy to make sure it makes it's way onto paper. A uniformed police officer clearly explaining the broad definition of assault and it's legal consequences can change a person's tune real quick. Some people are very surprised to hear that they can get in trouble for verbal threats.

Personally I use written statements to give both parties a cool down and realize how much of an AH you just were period. I don't let people get away with just saying they used profanity either. They get to detail each and every obnoxious word they lauched at the other person. Having that on paper right in front of them generally insures a much more respectful and mature encounter the next time.