Posted on 05/03/2020 4:07:53 AM PDT by Enduro Guy
We live on 15 acres pretty far out in the country and have a free roaming German Shepherd Dog that's quite the guard dog, to say the least. Our driveway is at least 750 feet long from the county road to our garage where I have a "BEWARE OF DOG" sign.
Our GSD is friendly to aloof with people, but ferocious towards vehicles. Recently he bit and pierced two front tires of a visiting friend's car as they were parking by our garage. That cost me $350. He's also done this to one tire on my nephew's truck. My nephew used his tire insurance to pay for the damage.
FWIW, I've been training the GSD to not attack tires on arriving vehicles but it's been a constant uphill battle. His instinct to bite tires really overwhelms him but I'm working on it.
Oh well, to my question:
Am I liable for the damage to people's vehicles, even if I have a "BEWARE OF DOG" sign?
When our Pomeranian insists it’s time for her walk, she will take something of mine like a sock or shirt, and attack it.
No one else’s stuff. Mind you, in this home, 5 kids, there is sock, booty something else to grab.
But it’s my sock until we go for a walk.
Maybe you need to spend more time with your GSD. Probably misses someone. I make to sure to give our doggy attention evey day. You got rub them and pet them and get on the ground with them. Sure, my kids grab her tail, throw the ball when they want.
But I want the dog to be happy, and I want my children to see how to care for the pet. The unconditional love.
Are you socializing with your dog?
My dog doesn’t try destroy my socks when she is happy.
We’re outside petting and babying him everyday multiple times. His home is on out our full length front porch. I spend a lot of time out there with him daily. He loves people (after his approval of course) and he loves when friends or relatives bring their dogs to our place. He plays with them like he was a 3 month old puppy again.
He just hates car tires.
Damnedest thing ever...
You should be asking your insurance carrier before you get sued for a large sum, and also ask your attorney.
“Morally yes”
Definitely the right thing to do and I get what you’re saying. These days my friends/relatives know what to do when they arrive. They just roll down their window and talk to him or tell him to settle down.
It’s the unexpected arrivals, UPS trucks, etc... that I’m more worried about.
Yes, if you invited them onto your property. Which it appears you did.
Control the pooch.
Like I said above... It’s the unexpected arrivals, UPS trucks, etc... that I’m more worried about.
Wow, the monkey is officially off my back! :)
As a mail carrier I had a GSD who made so much money for my tire guy. And he only had a couple of teeth! Said tire guy asked how do you keep getting punctures in the side of your tire?
Customer said the dog was run over once in the driveway. He wasn’t always out, my only saving grace! Part of working I don’t miss!
Get a shock collar
Tell your friends and relatives they can't come to your house anymore....That should take care of the problem.
Actually, because of the sign you are definitely liable. It will be used against you in court to prove you knew you had a dangerous dog. (Legal contract class in college)
Horse Hockey!
If you are INVITING people over, be a civil host and make your guests safe and comfortable. Keep animals, children, MIL, SIL, BIL, ex spouses, and other possible offenders restrained.
Also , friends and family don’t expect you to pay for their tires. Get new friends and family.
Unexpected UPS? Screw them. NO DELIVERY without notice.
Folks, the purpose of being far away from things is to be . . .
wait for it . . .
far away from things!
My dog doesn’t like you or your car?
Neither do I.
Get off my grass!
“lock the gate and install an intercom system so visitors can contact you prior to entering”
Agreed
the right way to go
I had an incredible pure-bred German Shepherd I raised from 6 weeks old in Ohio when in my 20’s and lived on a horse farm.
He was not a watch-dog at all, and rarely barked at anything, anyone...was a real people-lover (as I raised & trained him). He loved children. This was in late 60’s. I could take him to a MickeyD’s, OFF-LEASH, tell him, “SIT! STAY!” outside at the door, and 100 would pass & pet him - especially kids - and he always obeyed. I believe he could read my mind.
But he love to occasionally nip the hocks of the horses, always getting a swift kick - that never landed....he was too quick. But I always accused him of watching too many Rin-Tin-Tin shows - he truly acted exactly like Rin-Tin-Tin whenever we were on the horses leaving the barn - he would lead us - always knowing which direction we were going whether on trails or in fields - I don’t know how. He’d stay 50’ ahead of us at all time, only turning back to join us if we stopped.
He was huge. Standing on his rear legs, front paws on my shoulders, his nose reached about 5’ 7” or more. After 3 years, I needed to find him a new home. I’d trained him well, and he was so smart - I sent him to a top Seeing-Eye Dog school as a gift.
They tested him and said he was perfect in every way but one, and sent him back. They said he had perfect intelligence and temperament - BUT he was just too big - Seeing-Eye dogs have to fit in a small elevator with their owners - and he was just too big.
I was struggling with what to do with him. Then, suddenly, he disappeared. I lived in a garage apartment, in the country, near the horse farm, on a turn where cars had to slow to about 20mph. He always ran free. I think one day someone who had driven by him for years stopped, asked him to jump in, and drove off with him. But I’ll never know. He was a dream dog.
Rosh was his name. All German Shepherds need a name that starts with R, S, or T..........
I saw the “G” in GSD...immediately thought “girlfriend”...and figured this was gonna be a discussion of the “hot/crazy” matrix.
Gotta say though, I really envy your 15 acres and especially the 750’ driveway.
Yes. Pay up. Send the dog to a professional training camp or keep the dog locked up away from vehicles. Sorry but a sign doesn’t cut it.
Latest trend i’ve noticed while walking on local canyon roads (which are closed to vehicle traffic during the winter):
Little plastic bags full of dog crap left near the side of the road. How considerate! Maybe the same people who leave loaded diapers (or worse) there also.
Why don’t you just ask your Insurance Agent - they are the professional liability specialist that you already pay to answer these questions.
The sign is actually a negative. If you go to court, it will be used as proof that you knew the dog was vicious.
I not only have owned a bunch, but have Malinois and Dutch Shepherds and trained many for protection work. I am in the country too, but mine is shut in the house with the door locked. With the Mal I have now, the door lock is to protect the public, I wouldn’t want a friend to open the door.
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