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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsLarry just bit the UPS guy
i feel sick - We were there but Larry busted through the storm door - and bit him multiple times. He reported it to his office.
He's a good dog - except when someone invades "our space"
I saw Caesar deal with a dog who hated mailmen - but it is just SO instantly instinctual don't know if fixable
Skittles
(153,160 posts)was the UPS guy badly hurt?
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)bit bad. Not sure what happens now - go to dog biter owner jail?
Skittles
(153,160 posts)contact your vet for records of Larry's shots, for sure
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)wish I knew how to stop him from exploding when someone comes to the door.
Skittles
(153,160 posts)an dog behaviorist of sorts
onehandle
(51,122 posts)Our dog is only seven pounds, but pretty much hates anyone who isn't my wife and I.
When we have people over, one of us holds him in our arms to inspect people who show up.
This seems to pacify his instinct to 'protect.'
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)to stop. I suppose if we all had a Caesar living with us we might be able to?
Aerows
(39,961 posts)and it was about Larry's size. She also charged another raccoon that decided to plague us and she got a couple of scratches from it, but I was there on the patio and she puts up with no shit from them these days. It's her home.
It's unusual for a cat to bond that way, but not unusual for a dog to bond that way at all. My dog I had (and yeah, he was a big boy) took down two fences and nearly the fence post getting after a guy that that intruded in the yard to open the tool shed. The intruder managed to leap a different fence and run like Usain Bolt while I restrained the dog from further (and probably very ugly results), but I have no doubt the Bolt-wannabe had to change his underwear when he got home.
It's their nature. They see their territory being infringed upon, or their humans needing protection and they act on instinct, even to their own peril.
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)Take care, I'd like to think that they aren't mean about it when the dog owners aren't assholes.
Good luck!
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)you feeling better?
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)...I was literally bouncing around the recovery room the next day, went down to the gift shop with my bandaged head and bought a hoodie.
On March 31 they put in a piece of plastic to fill in the big hole and it seems to be over, 4 surgeries and over a million bucks thanks to ObamaCare!
Required to wear this helmet until the implant was in because of the hole in my head
CrawlingChaos
(1,893 posts)This has been my fear for so long. My little 5 lb. dog wants to kill everything in a uniform. He can't do much damage but I think the protocol for animal bites is the same whether it's a severe attack or some inconsequential little nip on the ankle.
Larry is adorable!! I can see he's a good boy and I love his accessories
I'm sure it varies by location but my guess is you'll get a visit from animal control and be asked to prove that Larry is current on his rabies vaccine. I don't think they can take him away at this point but he'll have a doggie rap sheet. Then I'm sure the UPS guy will ask for damages that your homeowners policy will very likely cover (but will probably trigger a rate increase, sad to say).
I've had some pretty bad dog bites (usually my own stupid fault). They always heal up really well without complications. Cat bites, on the other hand, can be really dangerous. They've got those long teeth like syringe needles... I have stories.
I hope the consequences of this will be as minimal as possible and I hope Larry won't be in too much hot water at home. He's such a cutie!
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)who comes up to the house AND carrying something. If anyone tried to take him away
I would leave in the middle of the night with him. I wish we had been more careful - and
definitely need to get the door handle replaced with something more substantial. I hope
the UPS guy is ok - and I feel so sorry for what Larry did to him. I wanted to tell him
that he needed to turn around when L came after him - instead of trying to bat him back but my husband said he probably wasn't in the mood for tips.
seveneyes
(4,631 posts)When it does, you deal with it...
UTUSN
(70,691 posts)pscot
(21,024 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Hassin Bin Sober
(26,327 posts)Hopefully they don't make a federal case out of it.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)hay rick
(7,612 posts)Suggest you talk to your homeowners insurer. Where I worked, serious dog bites usually ended up as an insurance settlement or in court. Neither the delivery person nor the service (UPS or USPS) wants to pay for the medical expenses or any period of disability or missed work.
shenmue
(38,506 posts)riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)I live on a farm and my dogs rarely venture off the property - my field service horse vets even do
most of my small animal work at my house. My dogs are perfectly well behaved, socialized with strangers and multiple dogs who come with my clients etc. however....
I had a Jack Russell terrier with a concussion (crazy dog chased a squirrel right into the base of a fence post and knocked herself silly). I needed to go wait for a plumber at my moms house in suburbia while she was at work so I packed up Missy and brought her with me. I never gave it a second thought about how rattled the dog would be out of her element. So the UPS guy rings the bell while I'm at my mom's and the JRT runs out and bites him badly.
1. Expect a call from Animal Control. Have all proof of vaccinations and a letter from your vet attesting that this type of behavior isn't normal. You'll get a lecture on proper restraining methods. While I already knew everything she told me, I simply listened quietly and agreed to every suggestion presented. No need to rile them up with a confrontation.
2. You're going to get a hefty fine and a ticket for lack of restraint.
3. You'll have to pay for the injured party's medical costs.
4. Your dog is now "flagged". There probably won't be a second chance if this happens again.
The animal control officer was skeptical but did listen when I told her my JRT was a farm dog and I'd never bring her into a suburban or urban environment again (as much for her protection as mine). They are usually animal lovers as well from my brief experience so be honest and open to their suggestions. I actually sent the guy my dog bit a gift - a card, and a huge box of chocolates and a gift card to a local craft beer restaurant. I never heard back from him but couldn't live with myself without trying.
Good luck!
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)like a cop at a drug dealer's apartment - Scared the shit out of us. He was very mean and demanded all the paperwork - shots (no big deal), but proof and date of exactly when he was adopted from the shelter and when he got microchipped. way long ago. I was hysterical - we were running around trying to find the stuff
Anyway, they took him....to the pound. He will be quarantined for 10 days.
that was nice what you did. ...doubt we will ever see the UPS guy again. I do feel sorry for him for sure.
femmocrat
(28,394 posts)Can you at least call them to see how he is doing? Please let us know when he's released, OK?
Hope the UPS guy will quickly recover. Poor guy. A sad tale all around.
CrawlingChaos
(1,893 posts)I'm so sorry - I didn't think they would do that. What was the point of busting into your house at that hour and subjecting you to that harassment, not to mention putting Larry through this ordeal? If you had proof of rabies vaccination, why do they need to quarantine him??
I wouldn't have been able to provide all that other stuff on the spot either (if at all - like you, it was a long-ass time ago). They could have called you and told you what would be required, so you had time to get everything together for them.
And coming in like that in a hostile manner, that's sure to rile up Larry's protective instincts. He must have been so frightened and confused, poor guy! And this accomplishes what? Nothing.
Can you visit Larry? Any chance of springing him early? (direct verification from your vet perhaps?)
What a horrible experience that must have been. I wish I could pour you a drink (as per your username).
magical thyme
(14,881 posts)Without measuring titers, there is no way to be sure Larry's immune system responded to the vaccine. With rabies being nearly 100% lethal, and a short window to vaccinate somebody who has been exposed, they are exercising maximum precaution.
Unfortunately some people are unbelievably irresponsible and can't be trusted to do a home quarantine. And unfortunately, since Larry busted through the door once, they're going to assume he could and would do it again.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)I'm so sorry.
The animal control person I dealt with was skeptical but not unkind and didn't come over til the next day so I had 24 hours to get my paperwork together. I let her come in to lecture me and she was clearly evaluating me and my other dogs while she spoke. She didn't impound the dog and the police came shortly afterwards with a ticket.
I never saw the UPS guy again. I got his name off the ticket and mailed the items to him at my local UPS office. Who knows if he ever got them but I felt better...
Major suckage for Larry. Hopefully the 10 days will go fast...
LisaL
(44,973 posts)Maybe you can lock Larry up in another room before opening the door to anyone?
Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)Sorry you have to go through this. Doubly sorry for the UPS guy.
irisblue
(32,974 posts)as a better door locking system? Larry looks like a party dog, and I'm sorry for the UPS guy and you as well.
BainsBane
(53,032 posts)UPS reports bites. My brother's German Shepherd has bitten a couple of delivery people. He's fortunate to have very tolerant animal control where he lives.
magical thyme
(14,881 posts)and if you're going to be leaving the main door open with just the screen door, maybe set something up where Larry can't get into the room with the screen door, as an extra precaution.
From here on out, his life is at stake. You need to take immediate measures to make certain it never happens again. It will also help to show animal control and the authorities that it really was an accident on your part and you are a responsible dog owner.
I hope Larry comes home safe and sound.
Aerows
(39,961 posts)and he's probably a prince of a puppy any other time .
Willing good thoughts to you!