OT--DH Dog Bite---very long, sorry, i'm mad as hell

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Grr! Argh! Can you ding her for loss of earnings?

Stupid woman! NO-ONE should have a dog that badly trained.

Sympathy and hugs on the way.

Oh dear Jeanne. I am so angry for you. The dog should have gone right away in my book. I bet your dh is really shaken and sore. I hope you can hold the work together between you and that you recieve some kind of compensation for this trauma. Will be thinking of you in sunny Cornwall.

I don't blame you for being angry Jeanne. I have little tolerance for bad dogs because I have to work with them every day. Fear, or being injured I can understand, but owners should not have dangerous dogs unless they are capable and willing to train and control them properly. I'm very glad that it was nothing more than a messy injury, but any bite is painful. The owner seems very sorry and willing to take responsibility after all she did for your DH. Here's hoping everything gets sorted out with a minimum of fuss and he heals quickly.

Oh Jeanne I am so sorry, and mad with you! Any chance there is a high school boy living close by who can go in the van and do deliveries while you drive today? Hope you can get this situation settled soon. Barbara in FL

The dog needs to be put down. I've had to do that with a dalmation I owned decades ago, who would attack women and children without warning. Today I know that it was my fault he was so aggressive. From what I've learned since then, having owned 2 dogs and researching how to raise them properly, when you allow the dog to be the leader of the pack in the home and you don't exercise them enough, you create confusion in his mind which always leads to abnormal behavior.

What kinds of things indicate that the dog has way too much liberty? It boils down to one thing - do you treat your dog like a person instead of a dog? They NEED leadership and direction from you and without it you get confusion and behavioral abnormality.

In the case of what are called "bully breeds", that means they turn aggressive.. In breeds like boxers, they become destructive, able to destroy a whole couch in one afternoon. In toy breeds, like poodles and little guys, they become hyperactive and bark a lot, often nipping at fingers and ankles. People need to know about their breed and train them accordingly, and sadly, the vast majority of dog owners know nothing about these kinds of things.

Any dog that has developed the aggressiveness of the one your husband encountered needs to be put down because the rehabilitation necessary to correct his behavior is not easy, or cheap, or without cost to the owner (meaning the owner needs to be rehabilitated since her behavior towards the dog has created the problem). Most dog owners who have allowed their dog to become abnormal aren't interested in the kind of intensive changes in their own perspective and lifestyle.

Amen. I never had a dog myself, but a friend of mine has had a couple that I saw her with. One she still has, a rottweiler. He (the dog) knows his place. I walk in (I visit about once a year), if he does something he shouldn't (like trying to eat something I drop on the floor), I tell him "no" (firmly, not shouting) - and he _stops_, sits and look all apologetic. The dog knows that he eats _after_ the family (this is part of him being the underdog). He is _so_ well trained. And still he is such a happy dog, he is not aggressively "kept down", which you sometime see.

I tell my friend that if I ever have a dog, I hope I can be as good with him as she is with hers.

Hanne in London

Musicmaker wrote:

Horrifying! (((hugs))) to you and to DH. Not sure how this works in your part of the world, but I bet in the US that woman would be facing a suit for at least the lost income, plus damages! Roberta in D

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Geez, Jeanne!!! I'm so sorry!!!! (((((((((((((((((((((Jeanne)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

While I'd personally want to stick a size 8 into that woman's rear end for being so irresponsible with her dog (and yes, I'd blame her first and foremost - whether she knows it or not, she more than likely *made* that dog that way), I'm grateful that she at least had the decency to take your hubby to the hospital!!!

For your financial situation, this might not help much NOW, but what happened to your poor hubby is one of the things homeowner's insurance is for (Yeesh ... assuming that ya'll have that over there - here in many cases, it's mandatory). Talk to the woman (if you CAN without trying to strangle her or run her down with your car) and see if she has it, and if so, call them and file a claim. It will run her insurance costs up, but, personally, I think she deserves it for having such a vicious dog. At the very least, for not securing the dog before she answered the door.

I honestly hope and pray that this works out .... that your hubby gets better QUICK, that that silly twit takes care of the situation responsibly and quickly, and that you get to at least yell at her a little!

Hugs!!!! Connie

Jeanne, first of all I am so sorry this happened. What a horrible thing for your husband to suffer. As a devoted dog owner, I agree, it's entirely the dog owner's fault and your husband will most likely develop a fear of dogs on some level and all future dog encounters will be tinged with that fear- and other dogs will pick up on that. This is a tragedy on so many levels. I was mauled by a "sweet-natured" collie when I was about 5 y.o. and still have many scars on my hands and arms 50+ years later- I know about that, too.

Bitch that I am, you need to see a lawyer! My homeowner's insurance will cover any damage my dogs should cause to property or persons. Once, many years ago, I took my dog and my sons to work on a Sunday at an auto dealership- the business was closed and I was doing some filing. The dog was a 6 mo. old St. Bernard. The boys were running around the showroom with her, then they ran behind a floor to ceiling plate glass window- the dog leaped at the boys to play attack them and went right thru the huge window! My homeowner's insurance paid for the damage- luckily the dog only suffered two minor cuts on both eyebrows and the window had a large hole in it but didn't collapse. These days you cannot even buy homeowner's insurance if you own certain breeds- unless you pay a very high premium.

This woman is responsible for ALL the medical costs and ALL loss of income and any mental/emotional suffering that your husband experiences. It's not being greedy. It's being sensible. I wish you luck with that.

I the meantime, find someone who will drive your husband around and do the deliveries. Your husband should accompany the driver so that he can be sure the quality of the deliveries is maintained and so that your delivery business reputation does not suffer. And keep track of the extra expenses to be reimbursed by her insurance company.

Leslie (seething mad!) and the Beautifully Trained and Trustworthy Missy, Simon, Daisy & Hoover in MO.

Jeanne, first, I am so sorry. (((((((((hugs))))))))))))) Second, I don't know how to say this without sounding really sleazy, but that woman needs to assume responsibility for the financial problems you're going to incur over this deal. I don't believe in frivolous lawsuits, but this is not one! She probably has homeowners' insurance. Sue the pants off of them. It's not fair that you are burdened so much because she was stupid enough to have a viscious dog. Second, I am an animal lover to the core, and am on the board of directors for our county shelter. And I agree that this dog needs to be put down. Any dog who attacks unprovoked is too dangerous to have. If it were a child, it would have manged their face and probably done serious damage.

Sherry

My Wings are on their way for BOTH of you.

Have the dog checked for Rabies. Everyone else said what we're all feeling right now

Hugs to both of you

Butterfly

Rats Jeanne. That is an awful story. You should be mad. We tease a lot around here about dog-bite attorneys but you need one. I don't know how things differ there but we had a similar kind of thing happen. DH got biten by a dog that got in our back yard. The dog owner's home insurance paid for his medical care, missed work and misc. expenses. He just had an attorney take care of it since the dog owner woulnd't even give their insurance info. You need to hire someone to take over at work that you guys can supervise and dog owner needs to be responsible for that. Take that rage and put it to good use helping out with the deliveries and such. DH needs you now. Hugs to both of you. Taria

OMG what a horrifying experience. Here's hoping for fast healing for your DH. Hugs to you both. Allison

OMG Jeanne this is horrible. I really have no words of help or comfort for you. All I can say is that if I had the money I'd fly down there and shoot or chew up that damn dog myself so it could never hurt anyone ever again and then I'd work in the shop for you. Nope I've never done florist work, but I can arrange flowers (self taught from books) and I can drive. Debra in VA See my quilts at

just a quick note. calling dog control this morning to check on what they're doing or done. calling pharmacy to be sure he can drive with the drugs they gave him. calling Accident Compensation to see about getting someone to help. sadly here we have national health, the lady paid anything needed yesterday. dh and i both have to pay into Accident Comp but i dont know if there is anyone on this short notice to help us. opening and closing the van doors, drivers and back to get flowers in and out, at least 500 times in a day, plus driving and writing....all that arm use is not going to help his arms heal. i dont know what to do cuz he is a workhorse and hasnt taken a holiday or a sick day since he started this work....its only deliverys, not making flowers into arrangements. its hard work tho, just mindless for the most part and it is non stop, he rarely stops to eat, drink or go to the loo during the day from 9:30am til the last flowers are delivered. never have a clue how many there will be in a day nor where they might be going. more later or tonight or sometime as i'll no doubt be gone with him all day, big thanks to all of you for the moral support, i need it. i'd sue her if i could but it doesnt work that way here in nz. argh. jeanne pulled his arm out of the dogs mouth hard enough it swung

Oooooh! Give your DH gentle (((((hugs))))) from us, and positive thoughts for a speedy recovery. I sure hope that THAT dog is taken "care of".

(((((((( Jeanne ))))))))))) And hugs to your poor husband too. What a nightmare. Jeanne, you and your husband are in my prayers and thoughts. Sometimes it seems that life throws you just that special, precise little lump that will knock you about the worst.

As for the woman and Cujo, thank goodness she was good enough to care for your husband and stick with him through it all r ather than just slamming the door shut and leaving him there. Her dog is definitely a menace and needs and expedited trip to the Rainbow Bridge, but she obviously has a good heart and was truly remorseful.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. This is a hard time of the year.... people expect so much of us. All merry making and spending huge sums of money and frantic motion and deadlines and such. I am working hard this morning to remind myself of the real meaning of this time. I know it won't change how the outside world looks at me or the very real deadlines and pressures that will continue to mount for the next month. I can't change any of that, and I look forward to it like I look forward to a combination root canal/colonscopy.

Thank God you and I can meet in this peaceful, loving place (well, except for the darned trolls) and embrace our friends and be at ease for a little while.

Prayers and hopes, Sunny

Jeanne.......... I'm so, SO sorry your DH had to go thru something like that. Like the others have said, seek legal advice, and you most certainly should be compensated for loss of income. Take good care - both of you.

Patti in Seattle

dh got up, i told him he has to make the report to animal control. i thot the emergency medical clinic had to do that, much as with a gunshot wound. seems not. i've been on the phone with two adjacent city councils as we live in one and the bite happened in the other. been on the phone with two med clinics, the one who did the job wasnt open til 8ish and the other was open 24/7 and they are same chain of clinics. been on the phone with local police about this. i've been given the round around by all and had one receptionist hang up on me cuz i asked what office is supposed to take care of this and she didnt know so i said well someone needs to address this issue...to which she said goodbye and hung up. eh???? city council told me call animal control, cant cuz they arent open yet but they said clinic has to report the incident to animal control. then clinic says report it to the police. i'm lost and dh is not talking to me much about it at all. he is going to work on his own today....all 300 to 500 times opening and closing his van door getting in/out the drivers door, opening closing the 3 back doors to load/unload the flowers, writing down all the info bout every delivery and driving. all this uses the forearms, no rest at all for them. sure he has antibiotics and pain relief if needed. fine and dandy if he wants to do it that way, i cant stop him. i do however want him to report this to someone and have animal control go out to the house to see that dog and do something. at the very least if it happens to anyone else with the same dog, a second incident will surely have the dog put down. i'm sorry. i'm not a dog person but i dont dislike them, i just dont have one, nor do i want one. too much like hard work, cats bathe themselves and bury their poo and get their own exercise. i know my limits, had enough of all that raising 3 babys. now i'm tired and i want a peaceful life. we can not sue this lady for anything as the system here covers loss of wages and all accident related expenses(ya pay for that from all earned income tho) and dh is self employed in his one man flower delivery business with each weeks income different from the last. cant afford to pay someone to be continually kept trained enough to do the job at a moments notice and no other time. if he cant work, we are out of business, permanently. there are no sick days and no holidays when you run this type of business. the florist will call the opposition and they will get all the business/work. we'll be left with no more business. the flowers must be delivered and if we cant, someone else will be paid to do it. i'm fuming and not a freak'n thing i can do about it. j.

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