My Dog Jumped and Barked at a Neighbor's Kid, Neighbor Threatened to Call Police and Put My Dog down

Max999 on 27/05/2016 - 20:14
Last edited 28/05/2016 - 14:16 by 2 other users

Very straightforward scenario:

Before the story starts, let me explain that my Welsh Corgi would sometimes start bark strangers on the street by random and tries to run towards them. But he never had a history of biting or hurting people.

Today while I was at work, my wife walked the dog on leash in the garden within our apartment complex.

A woman with her three year old kid walked by. The leash got loose and my dog ran towards the kid barking. My wife, realising her mistake, ran after the dog immediately and caught him before he even touched them.

Then the woman got mad and started screaming at my wife, calling her 'whore', 'bitch', 'c***' and said she would (profanity) kill my wife and my dog. She also said she was a doctor, and she would be calling the police and RSPCA so my dog would be taken away and put down.

Unfortunately, we happen to live in the same building so she knows which unit number we live in.

Now, I understand it is dog owners responsibility keep our dogs from hurting people. My bottom line is, our dog may have scared the lady and her kid, but he didn't hurt them, and wouldn't have hurt them at all, given the nature and history of my dog.

My questions are:

What can be the consequences at worst?

Is it possible our dog would be taken away and put down?

What should I do now?

• 

  altomic on 27/05/2016 - 20:20

  +2

  No. Welsh corgi. Lol.

  Unless your dog starts seriously biting people then don't stress.

  The woman sounds like a stupid person.

  But keep your dog on a leash and maybe start to train him not to bark at random bottle (use a spray bottle of water + treats)

  • 

    Max999 on 27/05/2016 - 20:25

    Thanks for the quick reply!

    What can happen if she really called the police? Will police get involved?

    • 

      altomic on 27/05/2016 - 20:31

      +2

      no. if your dog had bitten the child then that would be different. also it is unlikely the police would get involved anyway. dogs (pets) are managed by the sheriff department or rangers.

      and she said she was a doctor!?!?!

      sounds like a complete idiot.

  • 

    Edsanwong on 27/05/2016 - 21:08

    +1

    I had a similar issue before. Check ur local council law. In my area, if a dog run toward a person in threatening manner and closing within x metres, u can get fine.

    Worst case, u will get fine and ur dog will be categorised as a menacing dog.

    Menacing dogs mean expensive rego, on leash, and wear mouth guard.

    Mine was a beagle

  • 

    FirstNameLastName on 28/05/2016 - 22:02

    she's been labelled as stupid/crazy/imbecile/idiot/few screws loose.
    ok it's all based on hearsay-upon-hearsay which is about as unreliable as accounts get,
    but let's assume it went down as described.

• 

  coco1458 on 27/05/2016 - 20:40

  +1

  Well let's be honest, there was no damage done and the whole incident was a complete accident so I don't see any reason for the dog to be put down

  The woman sounds like a complete imbecile, quickly whipping out words such as "whore, bitch, (profanity)" that's the words of someone who's not a doctor

• 

  Aust on 27/05/2016 - 20:57

  +7

  Sounds like you should be reporting her to police for threatening your wife.

  • 

    drdolphin on 28/05/2016 - 11:19

    +2

    I agree. You should seriously speak with the police and make a complaint about the woman's threats.

• 

  shadowarrior on 27/05/2016 - 21:26

  Here's my $ that she is not a doctor. :)
  Your dog didn't bite anyone, so nah you are safe, unless, the person fabricates stories that your dog regularly jumps at people while walking downstairs.
  Welsh Corgis are known to be protective and tenacious, while playful and energetic. Maybe try selecting a time of the day for walks when there's not much people near the area?

  • 

    shaybisc on 28/05/2016 - 10:16

    +2

    I thought they had a reputation as snappy ankle-biters.

• 

  poboy on 27/05/2016 - 23:09

  The woman may cause trouble. There is no evidence. Nothing will come of it. If you are questioned, say no comment. Nothing will come of it in a 'he said/she said' argument without evidence. She only wins if you open your mouth - then your comments will be used against you.

  • 

    StrayfireX on 28/05/2016 - 10:47

    +8

    Well everyone on OzBargain knows the truth. We'll back you up and:

    -Port her mobile phone to Vaya. MWHAHAHAHAHA
    -Find the most helpful free Amazon ebook on the topic for you
    -TA will discover a coupon code for council fines "Byte-My-ARSE" which incidentally also makes SSDs cheaper on Shopping Express

  • 

    kima on 28/05/2016 - 10:48

    +1

    You're right if you be honest and admit it you will be punished for doing the right thing. People might not like your advice but what you have said is how the real world works. There is unlikely to be any further action because the dog didn't attack anyone. If you admit it then the ranger has to accept your admission of guilt and punish you with a nuisance order or a warning.

    If you deny it then the ranger says well I can do nothing without evidence make sure your dog is controlled in future have a good day - I will now go back to the pound where we have serious issues of poor dogs and cats that can't get loving homes like yours and have to sadly be euthanized - but seriously I don't want to come out here again because then I will be cross that you are not being responsible.

    I think you learnt your lesson op because you're stressed and you clearly love your dog. A slip of the lead happened by mistake and your wife instantly regretted it. I hope you and your wife and dog can move on from this and enjoy your time together without such stress again.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 27/05/2016 - 23:35

  +2

  Call the police, she threatened to kill your wife!
  Have a protection order taken out against this person…

• 

  garffi on 28/05/2016 - 01:48

  No one got hurt. I can't think of a reason why the dog should be put down. It's not like you purposely tried to scare them.
  Just try to be more careful next time.
  Why would someone be scared of a welsh corgi?

• 

  Name on 28/05/2016 - 06:19

  +1

  She will get home, call around and realise nothing can be done and move on with her life. She may contact body corp?

  She also sounds like she has a few screws loose, I'd be tempted to make a statement at the local police station, explain the story, and just say that you want something on record incase she does something.

• 

  oscargamer on 28/05/2016 - 08:24

  +3

  It is an offence for your dog to "rush a person". Doesn't need to actually connect someone. If it displays aggressive behaviour, then you might have a problem.

• 

  npc on 28/05/2016 - 12:29

  Welsh Corgi haha;)

  If everything is exactly as you have described, then - notify your body corporate about abusive neighbour and police that she threatened to kill. Tell BC that you have notified police too.

  edit: and keep your dog in leash in public please, some kids may actually be scared even by a small dog.

• 

  Max999 on 28/05/2016 - 12:53

  +1

  Thanks all for your advices.

  My wife and I will stay calm now and see if that woman is gonna take any further actions.

  I will also spend more time to educate my dog so incidents like this will be less likely to happen in the future.

• 

  Elppa8 on 28/05/2016 - 13:33

  She sounds like a crazy lady.

  On a lighter side I am imagining what you would do if you and your wife go to a new doctor and she is on the other side of the desk when you walk into the surgery

• 

  buy swap sell on 28/05/2016 - 14:53

  +4

  I would not escalate the matter unless the other party does so. It's most likely adrenalin and anger that was motivating the adverse reaction as even a little corgi can be scary to a child.

  Get a harness for the dog over over a collar they are much more secure. Train the dog and owner to manage the behavior.

  Corgi's are protective and can be prone to bad behaviour if allowed to. I know well as I used to be a registered breeder of them.

• 

  FirstNameLastName on 28/05/2016 - 22:14

  +1

  high emotions lead to reduced reasoning/logic.
  paramedics/emergency room staff are commonly attacked for this reason.
  (yeah, alcohol too)

  When I was being run over by a car it felt like it was a personal attack.
  I saw the car as an animal, I managed to hit it and yell at it (perhaps only in my head).
  I was really really pissed off (adrenalin, flight/fight response).
  Once I calmed down (thanks morphine and two weeks hospital) of course I realised it was just an accident.

  A friend of mine had a near-miss with a car full of 'big tatooed blokes'
  they caught up to him and came in front agressively to stop him/beat the crap out of him.

  Instead of amping up (like 99% of people do) he stopped, and got out of his car exclaiming how lucky they were to have survived.. asking if they were alright, and making a joke or two.
  By doing the opposite of the expected reaction.. he absolutely stumped them.
  They sorta sheepishly agreed, then got in their car and drove off.

  The op could try the same.
  I mean, visit the lady with an apology, empathy, listening ears, a gift, and concerned warmth (maybe not a smile, as this can come across as disingenuous.. it's generally better to mirror the person you wish to build rapport with.)
  If this doesn't work then yeah she's probably not the average reasonable person, or is someone who is not in a great place in life right now.. depression/stress/anxiety/government freezing bulkbilling etc etc.

• 

  peteru on 29/05/2016 - 00:13

  +2

  Sounds like this was within strata premises. If the other party could be bothered, they can bring the incident to the attention of the body corporate and depending on the by-laws for your strata, the body corporate could take some action.