So my dog got attacked...

[8dragon9]

And I have zero idea what to do given the situation. My wife works for a grooming salon, our dog, along with the owners dogs are always there. We have a 12 week old Sheppard/St Bernard mix. Yesterday evening our puppy was bitten by the owner of the salons Mastiff causing some pretty hefty damage to her nasal passage, cheek, and the roof of her mouth. She just got released from the vet and will heal but is pretty rough. I have no clue how to navigate this situation given that it was her boss's dog that caused the damage. This dog has previously been aggressive with other dogs, custemors dogs etc. Her boss refuses to assist with the costs incurred from the vet, My wife does not want to lose her job however I can not, and will not allow this to slide. Am I mistaken in thinking she should be held accountable for this? The bill is not extreme, enough though to put us in the red for our household. Navigating dog ownership laws has been a challange for us as there are not any precedents with a owner to employee situation, strictly with owners vs business. If anyone can provide some insight I would greatly appreciate it. It is taking every ounce of my willpower to attempt to let my wife handle this but my patience wears thin.

 

[joelmora89]

I would say if your wife would mind to look for a new job . Then file charges because that is wrong . You buddy are in a no win situation

 

[8dragon9]

The screwed up part is the Vet offered her a job on the spot when she explained the situation. Im not worried about her finding a job. I am concerned with getting the situation taken care of. I have already advised her that going to work tomorow is not happening. Im trying to figure out which route to take legally and what our current laws are but I am getting nowhere, and lawyers could care less since its not an extreme dollar amount. Along with me keeping my damn mouth shut and not worsening the situation. Personally I would love to see the business go under, and im not alone in that...

 

[James Hart]

A grooming shop owner with a dog aggressive large breed dog that refuses to accept responsibility for damages caused by her dog... get a lawyer and have the wife take the Vet up on the job offer ASAP.

Unless your wife had an written or unwritten agreement that your dog was brought in at her own risk... then you likely have no claim.

I worked as a groomer here in NJ in the late 90s, there is mandatory insurance to cover these things. You can call animal control for the town the shop is in and ask how to file a report about the attack. That would be my first step if it was me.

 

[NGAHaze]

I know you will not be thrilled with this advice but my suggestion would be to let go of any hopes of getting reimbursed via legal channels. Unless you had some sort of written agreement that proves your wife was allowed to bring your puppy onsite during normal business hours, I see little chance of you finding a legal remedy. While I agree and sympathize with you, sadly it would come down to nothing more than a he said, she said type of situation as I expect the owner, if faced with a lawsuit, would simply counter that the puppy shouldn't have been there in the first place, regardless of any verbal agreement that might have existed prior to the incident.

Considering the time and effort that would be required in pursuing a monetary amount that you described as 'not extreme' and the small chance of a positive outcome, your energy would likely be better spent in other endeavors such as you already suggested like finding your wife a better employer!

I know it probably feels like you are letting the employer get away with something but given their attitude about the whole situation I suspect it is only a matter of time before fate and/or providence intervenes and takes care of the matter once and for all. Losing a good employee is no small matter for a small business and I personally feel like the employer will lose far more by that happening than any money they might have saved by not stepping up and accepting responsibility for the injuries that your puppy sustained. Once your wife has secured a new position, I would be professional about it but I would be clear about why she is no longer willing to work at that establishment and then I would be done with the whole mess.

Just my two pennies worth of course.

I'm very glad to hear that your puppy is going to be okay; for me, that is the most important part!

 

[anavidfan]

I know you will not be thrilled with this advice but my suggestion would be to let go of any hopes of getting reimbursed via legal channels. Unless you had some sort of written agreement that proves your wife was allowed to bring your puppy onsite during normal business hours, I see little chance of you finding a legal remedy. While I agree and sympathize with you, sadly it would come down to nothing more than a he said, she said type of situation as I expect the owner, if faced with a lawsuit, would simply counter that the puppy shouldn't have been there in the first place, regardless of any verbal agreement that might have existed prior to the incident.

Considering the time and effort that would be required in pursuing a monetary amount that you described as 'not extreme' and the small chance of a positive outcome, your energy would likely be better spent in other endeavors such as you already suggested like finding your wife a better employer!

I know it probably feels like you are letting the employer get away with something but given their attitude about the whole situation I suspect it is only a matter of time before fate and/or providence intervenes and takes care of the matter once and for all. Losing a good employee is no small matter for a small business and I personally feel like the employer will lose far more by that happening than any money they might have saved by not stepping up and accepting responsibility for the injuries that your puppy sustained. Once your wife has secured a new position, I would be professional about it but I would be clear about why she is no longer willing to work at that establishment and then I would be done with the whole mess.

Just my two pennies worth of course.

I'm very glad to hear that your puppy is going to be okay; for me, that is the most important part!

Very good advise, though we all would want to have "justice" we all know how much justice can cost. If you can afford to hire a lawyer with the idea that the lawyers cost will out weigh the cost of the vet and you might lose, then do it. After its the principle, not the money, well kinda the money, but you want the owner of the dog and the shop to be responsible.

If she has an offer for a new job, take it. Then file a report with animal control and maybe to the better business bureau? But when she gives notice tell her to address the owner of the problem dog and tell her you are leaving for said reasons, tell her you are going to make a formal complaint with animal control, ask for reimbursement for vet costs and if the shop owner does not comply, then do what will hurt her them most, get on Facebook, Angie's list , everywhere you can spread the word that people should not take their dogs there for fear of being attacked.

If animal control takes her dog away and word gets out she could lose her dog and business. Its sort of blackmail, but this should STOP, and if you dont do anything , whats next? Another dog gets killed or a person trying to protect their dog gets mauled?

 

[anavidfan]

Okay, Im going to "air out " an opinion that I have regarding aggressive dogs. Im sure I will get torn a new one, but I dont care. This is the internet and I can just not look at this thread, but at least this might help someone with some logic and responsibility with their beloved pet.

So, you have a dog, that loves you, is gentle with you, shows NO aggression towards you or your little ones...... BUT he is not exactly way with strangers or other dogs. We all hear about people getting bit by hundreds of loving pets. I know I have been attacked and injured by little dogs, but the larger ones that act that way......

We know if our pets have aggressive tenancies, yes we do....... SOme of us ignore it. Some try behavior training etc... but either it did not work or we got lazy.. So if I know my dog gets snappy or nervous around dogs or little kids or cats etc, what is wrong with a simple muzzle?

Many dog owners loose their mind when muzzles are even mentioned. Its not perfect, but at least if you love your dog why not? It will save you having your dog taken away or harming someone else s beloved pet or child or person? Its a simple and rather low cost solution to what can potentially be a horrible thing. Even the kindest most gentle dog can get frightened or teased by child or adult into biting. It would be devastating to me to lose my dog because someone left an unattended child to grab or poke my dog into biting or some adult jerk who hurt my dog and then when it defends itself bites and the person tells the judge he did nothing and the person is there with stitches all over.....

So there is my rant....... Its really something to think about, I as a larger dog lover would never take my dog for a walk in populated areas without a muzzle.

 

[8dragon9]

I appreciate all the advice. What we have done is precisely what most of you have said. We have spoken with animal control in regards to the aggressor freely roaming within the shop and having access to all of the custemors dogs as well. An attorney has been contacted and it is firmly believed we have a case. I managed to hunt down the laws here in SC in regards to dangerous animals within a shop or pet industry location and again we have a strong case there as well. This is not the first time an incident has occured with this particular dog. My wife has quit the job itself, citing the exact reasons.

 

[8dragon9]

Okay, Im going to "air out " an opinion that I have regarding aggressive dogs. Im sure I will get torn a new one, but I dont care. This is the internet and I can just not look at this thread, but at least this might help someone with some logic and responsibility with their beloved pet.

So, you have a dog, that loves you, is gentle with you, shows NO aggression towards you or your little ones...... BUT he is not exactly way with strangers or other dogs. We all hear about people getting bit by hundreds of loving pets. I know I have been attacked and injured by little dogs, but the larger ones that act that way......

We know if our pets have aggressive tenancies, yes we do....... SOme of us ignore it. Some try behavior training etc... but either it did not work or we got lazy.. So if I know my dog gets snappy or nervous around dogs or little kids or cats etc, what is wrong with a simple muzzle?

Many dog owners loose their mind when muzzles are even mentioned. Its not perfect, but at least if you love your dog why not? It will save you having your dog taken away or harming someone else s beloved pet or child or person? Its a simple and rather low cost solution to what can potentially be a horrible thing. Even the kindest most gentle dog can get frightened or teased by child or adult into biting. It would be devastating to me to lose my dog because someone left an unattended child to grab or poke my dog into biting or some adult jerk who hurt my dog and then when it defends itself bites and the person tells the judge he did nothing and the person is there with stitches all over.....

So there is my rant....... Its really something to think about, I as a larger dog lover would never take my dog for a walk in populated areas without a muzzle.

we both feel the same way in regards to "aggressive" dogs, there are measures that can be taken and there is a differention between "aggressive" and "vicious" the dog in questions is aggressive towards other dogs, small dogs, dogs that have toys, dogs that are loud etc etc and plain and simply should not be walking around a confined space occupied by other dogs, particularly not in a business setting (grooming salon)

 

[8dragon9]

I know you will not be thrilled with this advice but my suggestion would be to let go of any hopes of getting reimbursed via legal channels. Unless you had some sort of written agreement that proves your wife was allowed to bring your puppy onsite during normal business hours, I see little chance of you finding a legal remedy. While I agree and sympathize with you, sadly it would come down to nothing more than a he said, she said type of situation as I expect the owner, if faced with a lawsuit, would simply counter that the puppy shouldn't have been there in the first place, regardless of any verbal agreement that might have existed prior to the incident.

Considering the time and effort that would be required in pursuing a monetary amount that you described as 'not extreme' and the small chance of a positive outcome, your energy would likely be better spent in other endeavors such as you already suggested like finding your wife a better employer!

I know it probably feels like you are letting the employer get away with something but given their attitude about the whole situation I suspect it is only a matter of time before fate and/or providence intervenes and takes care of the matter once and for all. Losing a good employee is no small matter for a small business and I personally feel like the employer will lose far more by that happening than any money they might have saved by not stepping up and accepting responsibility for the injuries that your puppy sustained. Once your wife has secured a new position, I would be professional about it but I would be clear about why she is no longer willing to work at that establishment and then I would be done with the whole mess.

Just my two pennies worth of course.

I'm very glad to hear that your puppy is going to be okay; for me, that is the most important part!

in regards to allowing the puppy on the premises we do have retained the text messages between my wife, and the owner from when we first purchased the puppy which explicitly state that she may have the dog at work with her at anytime, and that our dog can stay at work with my wife whenever she is on the clock or in general there. (my wife and I are smarter than the average bear and the wife specifically kept this information just in case any situations did arise in regard to her being there)

 

[CryoGen]

Rip that lady a new one! I love dogs. I participate in a the rescue of English Springer Spaniels. Sad as it is our organization will not tolerate aggressive dogs. There is a threshold and if the rescue is above that the rules state he has to be euthanized. That really breaks my heart because these dogs have been through hell. However, we place dogs in forever homes and will not under any circumstances knowingly place an aggressive dog with anyone. This business owner needs a hard lesson and for her I think it would be connected to her pocket book. Keep us up to date on what's going on.

Really sorry about your pup and hope he will be ok!

 

[8dragon9]

Thank you CryoGen, as for an update for everyone. Athena is being a little trooper with wound cleaning, letting us keep her cleaned up and fussed with. She has two puncture wounds, one below her eye going to her mouth, one through her muzzle and the roof of her mouth. She has a small break on her jawbone/gum-bone (I am not a dog anatomy expert here ok guys) and is on pain meds. Attitude wise though this pup surprises me, she is acting for the most part like nothing is wrong, playing with the wife and I, and wagging that little tail all over the place. She did very well with her Vet as well, better than I did when I broke my leg lol. The support from friends and family has been astronomical, not to mention all you guys here. I will keep everyone in the loop.

 

[classwife]

Could have been your child that day...

 

[8dragon9]

Could have been your child that day...

Don't even get me started. The owner of the dog never told me that he is aggressive, and my 3 year old has been in that shop, and around that dog.

 

[freeatlast!]

Best of luck pursuing this, 8dragon9, and please keep us informed as to how it all plays out. Poor little pup! From what you've reported, sure sounds like you should have a case! Glad to hear you've found attorneys who support that.

 

[eyerhere]

Now that your wife has quit her job you no longer need to play nice. I would present her with a bill for 100 percent of the cost. then inform her that if she doesn't pay you will be contacting your local news media. it is only libel or slander if its not true. obviously this stupid beach doesn't care about anybody else so why should you care about her. How does the headline" local groomer houses vicious dog" sound to her.

 

[8dragon9]

Now that your wife has quit her job you no longer need to play nice. I would present her with a bill for 100 percent of the cost. then inform her that if she doesn't pay you will be contacting your local news media. it is only libel or slander if its not true. obviously this stupid beach doesn't care about anybody else so why should you care about her. How does the headline" local groomer houses vicious dog" sound to her.

we have behaved ourselves thus far, limited facebook posts to simple factual events, and without directly naming the business or owner. My wife is significantly nicer than I am, thats the route I wanted to take yesterday.

 

[anavidfan]

i hope it all works out well for you and your pup. make sure your pup gets some good socializing with other dogs that you know are sound so he/ she doesnt become shy or traumatized and become aggressive out of fear .

i was at a local petsmart today. That store was crowded with people , dogs and little kids. The grooming area was filled and the dog training dept was full of people and doggie students.

I was pleased to see many medium to large dogs with muzzles!

I even saw a couple chihuahuas with rhinestone muzzles!!!!

 

[k702]

as a lifelong dog owner I can't side with either the op or his boss. First, why was the dog at work? It's work... it's a place of business vape shop or not. The list of reasons why not to do it starts with customers with allergies runs a mile long and ends somewhere around the possibility of a customer getting bit or the dog running into the parking lot and getting hit by a car. The owner and op both knew the dog had "violent tendencies" seems to me two people messed up and a puppy paid for it. Now you want to bring the law in where the ultimate end might be the other dog paying. Nice........

 

[rurwin]

Urm... K702...

It's not a vaping shop, it's a dog grooming shop. Dogs are on the premises all the time.

Dogs at work are good for the dog and good for the work environment. But it has to be the right dog and the right environment. A docile dog, happy to spend all day curled up in the corner would even suit an office, so long as no workers disliked dogs. But in a grooming salon, every customer and worker is going to be a dog-lover. In that case a dog that wandered round and greeted people would be appropriate. But a dog that was nervous or dominant would never be appropriate when it would interact with members of the public and their dogs.

Anyone who says that their dog would never bite anyone is a dangerous dog owner. Every dog will bite in the wrong circumstances. Knowing where that line is and being able to head it off, is part of being a responsible owner. If a dog bites a person or another dog, then no matter how vicious or docile the dog is, it is its owner's fault for putting that dog in that situation.

It is not always obvious which dog actually started a fight, but all dogs should be trained, or learn, to back off when possible and otherwise to use minimum force to protect itself. That never involves causing expensive injury to the other dog, but it can embarrass their owners. The only way of teaching that lesson is to socialise the dog with as many other dogs as possible as often as possible. And that doesn't only mean other docile dogs. They have to learn the dangers themselves; they can't learn it from a book, and you can't tell them. We can help them by reading the signs ourselves and only letting them interact with nervous or dominant dogs when they are ready. The owners we meet on the park, who pick up their dogs whenever they see a dog they don't know, are doing more harm than good.

Which is not to say that the OP's wife is at all at fault. It may be that the puppy was annoying the owner's dog. Puppies do that. Well adjusted dogs tolerate it for longer than we might expect, and then they chastise the puppy with a quick snap or other semi-harmless reaction. Even if the puppy was a problem, and I don't know that it was, it may have been minding its own business, no dog should react by causing so much injury. Such a dog should not be in that place of work.