Dog Bite

[FireBright]

Bit of back ground: my dog can be stroppy! I am seeing a behaviourist with him and am always careful when out with him, he wears a basket muzzle and I know his triggers so am aware of surroundings etc when out walking him.
Someone visited my neighbour yesterday. My dog was outside quite happily minding his own business in our fenced back garden. Me and DP were also outside so he was "supervised".
The visitor came to the fence and put his arm over the fence. My dog bit his hand.
The visitor has been to the hospital and had a tetanus and had it dressed etc.
My neighbours are now being nasty with me.
I'm unsure where to go from here.
The visitor told the hospital what breed of dog it is but wouldn't give the address.
(He's not a "dangerous breed" btw).
The visitors daughter is now saying they should phone the police.
I do not excuse my dogs actions in the slightest and am very sorry that this has happened. That said, I am not going to lock my dog in the house and not let him in my own enclosed back garden.
Can anyone give me some perspective please?

[CornflakeHomunculus]

I would suggest getting in touch with Trevor Cooper at Dog Law to clarify exactly where you stand legally. The DDA does now apply on private property, this was a change brought about a few years back. The NAWT have a good to the changes and how they affect owners which is worth a read/watch.

I'd also look at making your garden properly secure so that people can't get in, poke arms/hands/other body parts through or over the fence, etc. You know your dog will bite and it is your responsibility to make sure he can't bite anyone, even when he's on your own property.

[Ylvamoon]

THIS from the link should answer everything.

.... all dog owners should ensure that all areas of their gardens where their dogs could encounter unexpected visitors are secure.
I am sorry, but if I was your neighbour (and I have DC's with friends visiting...) I'd move heaven and earth to get rid of your biting dog.
I am not a dog hater, I have 2 myself. But I do not tolerate biting dogs unless they have been physically cornered and its the only way out. What your dog did is unacceptable.

[Tinseleverywhere]

I think you could make your fences more secure. If it's low enough for someone to put his arm over then the dog could potentially jump it. As a quick fix and if you can't replace the fence, I would put something secure along the top of the fence (such as a strong trellis)to make it higher and make a second barrier between the main fence and your garden.

[FireBright]

Thanks for your responses
The fences are about five foot high but the neighbours property is slightly higher than ours hence they can reach over. We wanted to make them higher because of the dog but the neighbours objected to this because it would block their view. The trellising may work though - that you for that suggestion.
My dog was kicked by a runner when he was quite young and since then has been very very nervous around strangers.
He is not aggressive all of the time. Far from it. He obviously felt threatened by an unknown person. Still, his behaviour is not acceptable. I have been searching tonight for some one to one trainers. I will not be "getting rid" of him. I wouldn't disown a child for biting and I will not do it to an animal.

[tabulahrasa]

Technically you're the one legally at fault as yep, the DDA covers private land...

I think though - and no I'm not a dog law expert that if the police got involved they'd be looking for you to be making sure nothing similar could happen again and that you're dealing with it rather than to prosecute or seize your dog.

All you can really do is come up with a management plan (secure the garden), contact a trainer and go apologise to the neighbour...what else is the neighbour/visitor expecting?

[MarcoPoloCX]

Why did he put his hand over the fence?

[SparklingRaspberry]

I don't make the law up but I'm of the opinion if you put your hand over the fence to touch a dog you don't know then you don't have a leg to stand on if it bites you!

What idiot does that anyway?

I don't have much advice I'm afraid but I feel sorry for you both. Your dog didn't do anything wrong in my opinion - some stranger put his hand out and I think many dogs may react the same as yours!

[Bubble2bubble]

Totally agree. I would never reach over a fence to touch a dog I didn't know - who on earth would?

Actually this really frightens me as I caught a delivery driver at our gate recently putting his hand through the bars to stroke my dog ( huge bear- like boy) My four ddogs were barking at him at the time. Now I'm pretty sure none of them would bite but in that kind of situation I couldn't guarantee it. People can be so incredibly stupid.

So sorry OP, truly awful situation for you.

[FireBright]

Thanks again for your replies.
I too wouldn't dream of putting my handover someone's fence to fuss a dog that I didn't know.
I don't know why he did it @marcopoloCX ...It baffled me to be honest . I am cautious with dogs I don't know -ask if it's ok the pet them first etc. But still, he shouldn't have bitten.
I have today enlisted the services of a one to one trainer that starts next week. Hopefully, that will help going forwards.

[redcaryellowcar]

I think you are in a very difficult position, but my personal opinion is the neighbours guest was foolish to pet a dog they didn't know without asking first? My ds loves dogs, but we always ask before we say hello.

[Nancy91]

What sort of idiot put his hand over the fence?

[TroysMammy]

Years ago my exh was briefly a postman, he was briefly a lot of things but that's another story. He was told to open letter boxes and push the mail through but if his fingers went through the letter box and they were bitten that was his fault and classed as trespass. I don't know if this is true as he made up all sort of things so he didn't have to work, lazy fucker.