Dog Bite.
 

I am really disgusted with people. My 13 year old son was invited over to another boy's house. They were playing tag in the yard and the family German Shepard saw my son running and came out after him, lunging and grabbing him in the ribs. I never got a call. My son came home on his own and visibly shaken asked could I clean his side. I looked and saw the bite. It was not terrible but bad enough. Full mouth mark with two punctures.

I called the boy's home and was told by a woman there that the parents were on vacation. I told her I needed to get vet info. on the dog and needed to know if the dog was up to date on shots. She proceeded to tell me that she was sorry my son was bitten but the dog gets spooked. Spooked? Why the hell would you let the dog out with playing kids if it's skiddish. Especially a Shepard.

Parents cannot be reached by phone - and my pediatrician said I needed to take my son to the ER. While there (Two hours in) my husband calls to say the dog was up to date on the shots and he had vet info. All is good so we thought.

Today I call the vet and the vet said the rabies expired on 9/07. I then call the town to see if maybe they had the rabies done elswhere figuring the dog was registered and would need a current rabies in order to be licensed. Well there is no record of the dog - which means they never licensed him. He's almost 3 yrs. old by the way. I ask the clerks office "Well what do I do." She proceeds to tell me that they (The clerks office) does not investigate whether a dog is licensed or not. Amazing since only last year they hit me with a $60 fine because my rabies (Which was current and wasn't due for three more months) wasn't current enough. They wanted an "EARLY" up to date shot so he'd be current for the year and so they bounced my renewal back to me and hit me with a $60 late fee. I didn't have to pay it because my vet wrote them a letter stating he did not feel it was in my dog's best interest to give a rabies shot three months early. So they will fine me for being "Late" but not go after someone with an unlicensed dog. Nice.

I'm very aggrevated 1. Town won't investigate as to why this dog is not registered or fine them for not haveing the dog up to date on shots and licensed. 2. They allowed a German Shepard that is skiddish to be out with kids that are playing 3. AND this bothers me the most THE PARENTS did not even call me to say "hey is your son alright and we are sorry." I don't care where I was vacationing - if my dog bit a kid I'd call from whereever I was from my cell and make sure that kid was alright.

People are unbelievable.

The hospital by law did notify animal control but all they do is go to the house and tell the owners the dog has to be on their property for 10 days (Quantine) and then ten days later go back to see if the dog is breathing. They do not ensure the dog get it's shots or is licensed and they do not fine them for not having either.

Anyway, sorry for the long venting post. I'm just really disgusted.

Elaine

If i was a parent i would be furious too.. thats rediculous. the dog should have NEVER been out... and the parents should take responsibility and take care of their pets ..

im sorry this happened to your son and you. i hope your son is going to be ok

OMG I totally agree with you being upset. They should have called you and appologized theres no excuse for their behavior!! How is your son doing??

That's ridiculous. I would be mad if i were you too. They should have called you and told you.

You can take the dog owners to court and ask to have the dog declared dangerous.

yes, you might be able to take them to small claims court even! I'd ask for medical bills at least! You or your insurance should not have to pay for their dog biting your son!
I hope he is ok! I know it was a scary ordeal for him!

Poor little guy. I would be FURIOUS. I would also ask the owners to pay for medical bills. I can't believe that your city doesn't take some sort of action.

Iam so glad you son is ok, I dont blame you for being mad, It could of been much worse, Thank god it was not, The owners deff need to be held liable.

I wonder if you can report them to the NJ spca for lack of vet care???

:eek: That's terrible. I bet your son was terrified! So glad that the bite wasn't any worse. I can guarantee you someone would be hearing from me! I can't believe they won't at least pick the dog up and put in quarantine. They certainly do it here!! I am so sorry this happened.

First of all, I'm glad your son is ok.

My son was bitten in the face by a neighbor's dog. He had an open wound and need a plastic surgeon called in to stitch it. The neighbor's home owner's policy covered all his medical bills. So make sure you get in touch with them and get that information.

I live in New Jersey too, so I'm wondering how would this work if I got my girls titers instead of their shots? I don't like giving them unnecessary shots, so I'm having titers taken to see if they are still protected when the time comes. And if they are still protected, I'm not getting the rabies shot until they need it. :(