Do you work with dogs AND...?

Question

Besides passing judgment on owners ......see anything interesting with the dogs?

I work at a boarding/daycare facility and a clinic......

Today at the clinic a dog came in, the owner stated kids on his block would come and toss treats into the yard mainly human snacks such as chocolate and chips. And one chold took the initiative to open the gate and let the dog out.....the dog (an Akita) bit one child. Now the owner is facing a lawsuit and trying to prove his dog is sick because of what the children fed him.....and of course trying to beat the lawsuit. 

Me personally, wouldve stopped the children from feeding my dog and been present when my dog was outside to kindly address the children.....but just wondering what are your thoughts on this situation?

What are some interesting things or behaviors you've come across working with animals or even dealing with animals of your own?

BTW the owner of the Akita is trying to prove the dog was fed chocolate.....how could the owner prove this?

WyrDachsie · Answer

I agree with you.  The dog should not have been left unsupervised.  The owner should have been out there with the dog and should not allow the kids to feed the dog.  All it took was 1 obnoxious kid to open the fence.  So now the poor dog will pay because of a lazy owner and an dopey kid.

I don't think there's anyway that the owner can prove the dog was fed chocolate.  

I see a lot of lazy owner.  There's one girl, that takes her Viszla down to the park, lets it off-leash, she leaves the park, goes home, gets dressed for work and comes back and gets the dog.  I am hoping that someone picks up the dog, thinking it's lost and gives it a good loving home.

On the other hand, it seems that many parents don't care what their kids are doing, as long as the kids aren't bothering them.  I was followed today almost a 1/2 block today, while walking my dog, by a bunch of kids of various ages that were yelling to pet my dog, while running up behind us and stomping.  I could see that just by the aggressive manner of the kids, that it wouldn't go well, so I told them my dog wasn't friendly.

Mind you, if kids approach in a appropriate manner, if parents say to their kids "You have to ask to pet the dog", then I will stop and let the kid say hi.  However, if a kid comes running over, hand outstretched and squealing, I always say, No, can't pet the dog.

? · Answer

"Although the breed may tolerate and be good with children from his own family, if you do not teach this dog he is below all humans in the pack order he may not accept other children and if teased, Akitas may bite."  http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/akita.htm

The gate should have been locked.

Kevin the Cat · Answer

Owner's fault for food, Child's fault for opening.

I would have gone ballistic on those children for feeding my dog, mine has allergies.

Do you work with dogs AND...?

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