Bitey Dog

[Ice_T]

Left my dog tethered outside Asda while I got a few bits. While I was inside someone started petting my dog and got bitten by him. She started shouting at me when I came out that I shouldn't leave a fierce dog unattended and I told her that you shouldn't go petting strange dogs, and in any case my dog is far from fierce as my cat beats him up. She left in a huff saying she would go to the Police with a copy of Asda's CCTV footage but she never thought to take my personal details first, so I never gave them. Need I worry?

[joko]

was she actually bitten? did you see blood? did you see the wound?
could be a scam ... hoping you will offer cash to save your dog ...

if anything does come of it, make sure a vet confirms any wound is down to a dog bite and not something else

[joko]

if it was a scam - your defensive reaction showed her that you were not going to take it lying down - if you had been all apologetic and concerned and fretting, shed have been more likely to get cash from you

obviously she may be genuine - and therefore you should listen to all the other advice.

[woofgang]

To those who recommend a muzzle, it isn't safe to leave a muzzled dog unattended. I absolutely agree about teaching the dog to accept a muzzle when out and about but not when left unsupervised. The dog might attempt to remove the muzzle and injure itself and the public are still idiots and may well try to remove the muzzle, or worse, torment the dog because they believe that they are safe.

[ganesh]

If your answer to her was 'you shouldn't go petting strange dogs' that sounds like you know it can be aggressive. You should never leave an unfriendly dog in public where you have no control. I often see people 'say hello' to dogs tied up outside supermarkets and always assume they are friendly. The fact that your cat is dominant over your dog proves nothing. If you do get to see this footage which I doubt unless she was really hurt, and you can see your dog being aggressive, then please get some training sorted or see a behavioural expert, or just don't leave your dog in public again.

[beso]

You left your dog unsupervised in a public place. You are totally liable for any damage it does.

Don't take your dog to town if you can't remain in charge of it full time.

[SpikeyBush]

that's why I am a cat person. My cat is a billion times more vicious than my dog but the law says only my dog is my liability, not my cat. Both, however, are insured for third party liability. Wouldn't consider anything less. If one got away and caused an accident on the road involving a Bentley Continental and a coach with 50 people on board all with ambulance chasing lawyers on speed dial it would turn nasty.