My dog bit the meter man

momlaffsalot · #1 10/27/07, 12:23 PM

Cripes...I have three dogs-a pug, a dalmation x and a lab-pit-rott mix. Of course it's the big guy who bit the meter reader. My dog, Hank is 7 years old and has never, ever bitten anybody. What happened was that heard the dogs barking, went out to see what was going on and there was a truck parked in my drive. The meter is about 100 yards away from my house and I saw the man over there. My dogs were on our porch, barking and letting him know not to come over, but they were not bothering with him and apparently didn't bother him as he parked and got out of his truck and walked over to the meter. I decided I should stay with the dogs until he got in his truck and left, because even though they have never bitten anyone, I don't like to take chances, so I stood on the porch with them. As he was walking back to his truck, he saw me and began to approach me. My big dog (Hank) was in a chair but when he saw the man coming near, he got off the chair and stood next to me. The dalmation did the same, came and stood near me-all the while the dogs are barking like nuts. The guy kept coming, so I grabbed ahold of my dogs and he stopped and asked if they would bite. I yelled over their barking that they never have but that doesn't mean they won't. Well, dufus that he obviously is, decided to come a little closer to me and Hank did not like that at all. He leaped away from me, off the porch toward the man, then Wilson (dalmation) did the same and I had a mess on my hands. The guy was wearing a helmet and goggles and boots so might have looked goofy to the dogs, or maybe they just didn't like something about him but next thing I know, they have this guy covered-Hank behind him and Wilson in front. This guy starts freaking out, hopping around and I yelled for him to quit moving and let me get the dogs, because as he is hopping around, the dogs are definately moving in. Then-bam, Hank bit this guy in the back of his leg. Bit him hard. That made the guy totally freak and he starts kicking out and Wilson starts to go for him from the front. I managed to get Wilson, the guy finally listened and stood still and I ordered my normally obedient dogs up onto the porch and like the good dogs they are, they went. Now, I can't imagine what kind of sense it made to this man to come near me when I have a 120 lb dog who is obviously not happy about his presence and another who is letting him know he will back up the big one. I would not enter a yard if there was a barking-I'm-gonna-bite-you Chihuahua, let alone a huge dog like mine.
I had a visit from the sheriff later, proved the rabies was up to date and was told if my dog ever bites someone again, he will be deemed a vicious dog and seized and put down. My response was that my dogs did not bother this man when he went to read the meter, they only got aggressive when he made the mistake of approaching me. I live in the country, alone with my kids and part of the reason I have dogs is so that I feel protected. I told him that as far as I am concerned, my dog earned his dog food that day.
Am I wrong? Was my dog bad?

farmergirl · #2 10/27/07, 12:39 PM

What a nightmare of a situation. I HATE having to break up any kind of dog fight. Sounds like the guy was stupid, to say the least, and you were honest and told them that they have never bitten but still might. From your dogs reactions I'm betting that the guy was giving of some creepy vibes. In the future just tell people that the dog will bite if they come too close.

AngieM2 · #3 10/27/07, 12:40 PM

Sounds as if the guys was stupid.
Angie

All country · #4 10/27/07, 12:42 PM

What was the man's reason for approaching you?
When we see the meter man out here he just gives a wave. He has a job to get done, so he never stops to chat.

I think I would be getting some training for the dogs so that they stop immediately on command.

Ravenlost · #5 10/27/07, 12:48 PM

You have a very good dog who was doing exactly what he should have done. Give him a hug for me.

MARYDVM · #6 10/27/07, 12:52 PM

Your dogs weren't "bad", they were out of control. They need to be trained to stop threatening a stranger when you tell them to stop. The meter man may have looked strange, but he was not a threat to you. By standing silently while they carried on, you were encouraging their aggression. You need to train a "that's enough" command, or at least a solid "stay"'. Teaching control makes a dog into a better, more reliable protector. It's time for some serious training.

suburbanite · #7 10/27/07, 12:53 PM

I don't know who was wrong, but what a horrible situation for you to go through, to have your dogs act beyond your wishes.

The way to prevent that in the future is to redirect the dogs as soon as they start getting excited and barking next to you on the porch. Their job is done after the first bark, which has alerted you--unless you expressly tell them otherwise.

Do you watch or read 'the dog whisperer', Cesar Milan? This might be a sign the Rottweiler is beginning to challenge your role as alpha dog, in which case he could become a problem if you don't learn to 'speak alpha dog'.

patnewmex · #8 10/27/07, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenlost

You have a very good dog who was doing exactly what he should have done. Give him a hug for me.

My sediments exactly! Good doggies! BAD (stupid) man! I think what you said to the Sheriff was okay too.

You might consider contacting the meter reading company (utility) and telling them that 1) the man approached you when it wasn't necessary 2) Kept advancing even after you told him they might bite and 3) called the sheriff on you after HIS stupidity! and 4) don't let that happen again. They have field glasses to wear in just such instances. They never have to step foot on your premises and 5) if that doesn't work, tell them they have to be okay'd by you to come read the meter and/or warned in advance next time the meter needs reading and 6) you will post a beware of dog sign so the idiot doesn't make the same mistake again.

suburbanite · #9 10/27/07, 01:01 PM

I agree with Pat and Raven *if* you on some level felt that the meter guy was doing something wrong or was threatening. Did some part of you maybe want the meter guy to be intimidated? Hard to admit to yourself, but if so, then if the dogs really were tuning in to act on some perverse twist or ambivalence of your will, then the dogs are okay.

If the dogs were definitely acting against what you wanted in that moment, then there may be a problem developing that you can head off at the pass with a little bit of dog psychology, which is mainly learning some doggie body-language that you can use to better communicate with them.

Ardie/WI · #10 10/27/07, 01:02 PM

The dogs were protecting you from a perceived (by them) threat.

The meter man had no business approaching you.

I hope he learned not to approach a lone woman with two barking dogs.

ninny · #11 10/27/07, 01:03 PM

I would suspect that you're gonna be getting a bill for some medical services and you'll be lucky if you don't hear from the guys lawyer..

.

suburbanite · #12 10/27/07, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninny

I would suspect that you're gonna be getting a bill for some medical services and you'll be lucky if you don't hear from the guys lawyer..

.

It would be a good gesture to head off getting lawyers involved if you offer to pay for the medical deductible; the guy probably has insurance for the main portion of the bill.

yes, it is not your fault, but it's the neighborly thing to do, imho.

bill not in oh · #13 10/27/07, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ardie/WI

I hope he learned not to approach a lone woman with two barking dogs.

I doubt THAT'LL ever be an issue again!

bill not in oh · #14 10/27/07, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburbanite

It would be a good gesture to head off getting lawyers involved if you offer to pay for the medical deductible; the guy probably has insurance for the main portion of the bill.

It'll be a Workman's Comp claim...

suburbanite · #15 10/27/07, 01:27 PM

This thread title is begging to be part of a country song...

Maura · #16 10/27/07, 01:37 PM

The company will take care of the medical expenses, don't worry about that.

Your dogs need training, and they need to learn to respect you. When they act this way, tell them to "down", and step in front of them. Don't let them put themselves between you and danger. They are there to back up the alpha (you), not lead the attack. You need to practice with them so they will mind you no matter what. Take them all over your property, working on come, sit, down, and heel. Work on stopping them when they want to chase something, then releasing to let them chase. Make them sit nicely before being let outside, and make them wait until you tell them "out". This reminds them daily who is the boss.

midkiffsjoy · #17 10/27/07, 01:49 PM

The only mistake you made was to not say "Yes, they WILL bite" to the dumb jerk who wasn't smart enough to listen to the dogs that were TELLING him to stop. They took care of their momma. That's their job.

I will never forget the day my abusive dad came to our house after mom and we kids ran for our lives and he proceeded to yell at my mother. Copper (my rotty) calmly walked and sat herself in front of mom. When Dad got up and took a step at mom, Copper got up and growled. Never took a step, but made her point. He left and never came in the house again. grin.

Good luck and congradulations on having dogs who love you, and will protect you. My dogs protect the livestock. It doesnt OCCURE to them to watch out for US! grin.

mzzlisa · #18 10/27/07, 01:58 PM

I wouldn't offer to pay any medical bills; that could be seen as admitting it was your fault and used against you later.

fantasymaker · #19 10/27/07, 02:06 PM

First of it sounds like your meter man is an idiot. Are you sure your telling the story accurately? Cause it sure sounds like weird behavior for a meter man. Id say either he REALLY wanted to get to know you or he gets bit a LOT!
Now that said you still have a problem , your dog bit someone I just don't find that acceptable,legally it can cause you a lot of trouble. I would have killed the dog long before the cop got there.

Rory · #20 10/27/07, 02:11 PM

Good dogs! Training would be in order, too, I think to reinforce your alpha role.

Do call the utility company and speak to a supervisor to explain what happened as Pat listed above. His insurance will pay bills. You were not at fault, he was.

Again, good dogs!