Sidewalk dog bite incident (Raleigh, Cary: houses, neighborhood, bills)

[gdiverdown]

I was walking my dog on our neighborhood sidewalk, when an owner's dog took us by surprise and charged at us aggressively. My dog was on a leash, but before I could get full control, she had gone about 2 or 3 feet off the sidewalk and into their yard and they began to fight. I quickly separated them but the other dog was bitten. Am I liable for the other dog's injuries?

I feel like the other dog charging was the cause of the incident (we pass other houses with dogs in the front yard with no problem). But, all though the other dog did come VERY close to the sidewalk, it did not cross onto it.

[m378]

Was the other dog tied up? That's a tough one - I feel like if your dog crossed on to their property then you're liable. If their dog wasn't tied and crossed over their property line, they're liable. It may depend on the property line, which at this point would be impossible to prove. I think splitting the medical bills is fair.

2-3 feet off the sidewalk isn't necessarily their property.

[zinner]

I wouldn't feel responsible.

[NCviaMD]

If the other dog wasn't on a leash in the front yard then I wouldn't think you would be responsible for it. Judge Judy has cases like this on all the time and usually it's the owner of the unleashed animal that is at fault.

[m378]

Originally Posted by NCviaMD

If the other dog wasn't on a leash in the front yard then I wouldn't think you would be responsible for it. Judge Judy has cases like this on all the time and usually it's the owner of the unleashed animal that is at fault.

You can have your dog unleashed on your property. If the OP's dog went over the property line, it seems they'd be liable. If vice versa, the other party liable for having an unleashed dog on public property.

Since this is impossible to prove, it seems both owners should be reasonable about the situation and split costs.

[JONOV]

I’d argue that they have to follow the leash laws and tell them to pound sand.

Property lines matter but they don’t grant blanket immunity for anything. I can’t shoot someone for crossing my property line.

[turkeydance]

Wake county:
If your pet is bitten
Put gloves on before touching your pet. Be careful, injured pets may bite.
Call your veterinarian or your area animal control office. Your pet must have a booster rabies shot within 72 hours if it is exposed to an animal that could be rabid

so if your dog bites their dog you should tell them.
Rabies

[m378]

Originally Posted by JONOV

I’d argue that they have to follow the leash laws and tell them to pound sand.

Property lines matter but they don’t grant blanket immunity for anything. I can’t shoot someone for crossing my property line.

It was the OP's dog that bit.

[don6170]

Originally Posted by JONOV

I’d argue that they have to follow the leash laws and tell them to pound sand.

Where did this happen? Leash laws are different for Raleigh, Cary, Wake County, etc.

[dedratermi]

Your dog bit another dog. Be responsible, own up to it, and pay for the damage that your dog did. No excuses.