"Beware of Dog" issues

[Gempress]

I've heard that it's not recommended for anyone to have a "Beware of Dog" sign in their yard. From what I understand, people have been sued when their dog attacked someone who entered their property. It's been argued in court that the "Beware of Dog" sign indicated that the homeowner knew they had a dangerous dog, so the homeowner was liable for not adequately protecting the public from their dog. And that stupid argument worked!

Instead of a "Beware of Dog" sign, the website I was on recommended using a "Dog on Premesis" sign.

Anybody else hear about this?

 

[poodlesmom]

I have heard the same thing. People used to think that having a sign such as "Beware of Dog" would serve to protect them of any liability should someone come onto their property and be bit but that is not true. I don't believe there are many circumstances where a person would be protected from a lawsuit if their dog did bite someone.

 

[oriondw]

I've heard that it's not recommended for anyone to have a "Beware of Dog" sign in their yard. From what I understand, people have been sued when their dog attacked someone who entered their property. It's been argued in court that the "Beware of Dog" sign indicated that the homeowner knew they had a dangerous dog, so the homeowner was liable for not adequately protecting the public from their dog. And that stupid argument worked!

Instead of a "Beware of Dog" sign, the website I was on recommended using a "Dog on Premesis" sign.

Anybody else hear about this?

Its the law around here. If you have a guard dog to have a beware of dog sign every few meters on the fense.

If all the signs are placed by law and intruder gets neutralized, then neither the dog nor the owner are at fault. Still intruders family can file a civil suit, but im not sure how far that'll get.

 

[smok3dfish]

It is much better to get a sign that simply states that a dog or a specifc breed of dog is in the yard. ie... "Beagle" or just "Dog" sometime you can find funny sign, My favorite was always. "My dog can make it to the fence in 3.4 seconds. How fast can you climb it?" or something like that. But any sign that acknowledges that your dog can/will become dangerous is in fact saying that your dog is a menace to society. I know its not right or fair, but that is what will happen. i have heard of it happening to someone(cant remember which state) but a guy broke in and stole some stuff and the dog attacked him and the owner had a beware sign. and the burgler sued.

 

[DanL]

Only in the US can someone attempt to illegaly enter your property, get bit by your dog, and sue you. Amazing. You hear the same thing with burglers sueing because they fell or cut themselves. Why would anyone even entertain such a law suit? This is why lawyers get such little respect from the average citizen.

 

[Meggie]

Let me get this straight. Somebody breaks into your house and you feel threatened. So you can get out your gun and, with fair warning, shoot the guy in the foot. But if you have a "Beware of Dog" sign (fair warning) and your dog bites him in the tush he can sue?

 

[Julie]

Let me get this straight. Somebody breaks into your house and you feel threatened. So you can get out your gun and, with fair warning, shoot the guy in the foot. But if you have a "Beware of Dog" sign (fair warning) and your dog bites him in the tush he can sue?

In either of those situations you can be sued. Anyone can sue for just about anything. But it is whether it will fly or not.

And if you shoot a guy in the foot, you made a concious decision to protect your family and home.

If your dog bites someone whether you are home or not it was not your decision (such as pulling the trigger). Unless of course you commanded your dog to do so.

The beware of dog sign just confirms that you have knowledge your dog is aggressive and to beware. If you have prior knowledge of that fact, then you have to take more precaution in preventing any aggression, or injury to others.

As for shooting a guy in the foot, If someone breaks into your home and doesn't run away from you, And you decide to use a gun to protect yourself, please don't aim for the foot. If you feel justified in using deadly force, then by all means use "deadly force". Just my opinion though.

The justice system is really messed up (imo) and protects criminals rights more than innocent victims'.

 

[joce]

We have been told to use no tresspassing signs weather the dog would eat soemone or not. They ahve been warned is how the insurance company looks at it I guess. My mom had a stalker,guess she still does,and the sherriff has gone over what we can and can not legally do. If someone steps foot in your house,not being invited in,you can do wahtever you need to do to protect yourself. But the same doesn't go for your yard Which is why the signs in the yard don't help because if someone gets bit in your yard it would be like shooting them for being in the yard and thats illegal,if that makes any sence? I have a I lvoe my dobe bumper sticker so I would hope any idiot dumb enough to try to get in would realize theres a big doggy inside. I've got those nice nutty country neighbors that would shoot them before they ever got in though

 

[Gempress]

To me, security is one of the last natural "jobs" a dog can actually do in an urban/city setting. But if a dog cannot protect legally protect its owners or their property anymore, what's a person to do?

When I was a kid, some friends of ours probably had their lives saved by their enormous pit mix, Dixie. They were home alone when a group of robbers tried to break into their home. Our friends heard a loud racket, and the bottom panel of their back door was broken in. The first thief slid partway through the hole, only to run head-first into a snarling Dixie (funny, because Dixie was normally one of the sweetest dogs I'd ever met). He yelled and backed out. Dixie barreled out through the hole and chased the entire group out of the yard. She managed to catch one by the back of his leg. He got away, but not before she ripped a large chunk out of his thigh. The theives were eventually caught, and my friends and their family hailed Dixie as a hero.

It's sad to think that, had those theives sued, Dixie might have been branded as "vicious" and euthanized. Talk about a screwed-up world.

 

[CanadianK9]

I just have a sign that says "Warning! Dogs on property" and has a dog icon on it. Got it at our local hardware store. However it is possible to make your own also.

 

[AmberwayGSD]

I have a huge sign on our garage that says GUARD DOG ON DUTY.Since we were robbed I have had it up.

 

[CanadianK9]

lol in my view if your stupid enough to attempt to tresspass or rob a place with a dog your just plain stupid and deserve to get mauled

 

[Puckstop31]

Only in the US can someone attempt to illegaly enter your property, get bit by your dog, and sue you. Amazing. You hear the same thing with burglers sueing because they fell or cut themselves. Why would anyone even entertain such a law suit? This is why lawyers get such little respect from the average citizen.

Going further, in some states, PA being one of them.... I would be better protected legally if I shot and killed a intruder rather than let my dog attack and subdue him. Ephed up eh?

Also, I have a sign that says "Forget the dog, beware of owner."

Ambulance chasers are one of the 4 things to blame for the outrageous insurance costs in the US.

 

[Puckstop31]

Let me get this straight. Somebody breaks into your house and you feel threatened. So you can get out your gun and, with fair warning, shoot the guy in the foot. But if you have a "Beware of Dog" sign (fair warning) and your dog bites him in the tush he can sue?

2 things...

1.) "Fair Warning" is not required in most states. If you are in your home and you feel your life could be in danger, you can use lethal force without warning.

2.) If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to use a weapon to defend yourself, shooting the person in the foot would likely only escalate the situation. IF you decide that you need to use a gun to defend yourself, you better be able to KILL the intruder. If you are not willing or able to do so, you should not have a gun for the purpose of self defence.

 

[Gempress]

lol in my view if your stupid enough to attempt to tresspass or rob a place with a dog your just plain stupid and deserve to get mauled

Amen to that! Makes perfect sense to me.

 

[Renee750il]

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to use a weapon to defend yourself, shooting the person in the foot would likely only escalate the situation. IF you decide that you need to use a gun to defend yourself, you better be able to KILL the intruder. If you are not willing or able to do so, you should not have a gun for the purpose of self defence.

Exactly, Puckstop.

 

[Meggie]

2 things...

1.) "Fair Warning" is not required in most states. If you are in your home and you feel your life could be in danger, you can use lethal force without warning.

2.) If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to use a weapon to defend yourself, shooting the person in the foot would likely only escalate the situation. IF you decide that you need to use a gun to defend yourself, you better be able to KILL the intruder. If you are not willing or able to do so, you should not have a gun for the purpose of self defence.

2 more things

1) Moot point, I'm in Canada.

2) I cited shooting in the foot as an example because it would leave the thief in the position to sue. I know, aim for the biggest body part. Aim for the foot and you'll just probably mess up the hardwood floor. If I'm in fear for my life, I wouldn't want to be making an intruder dance. But yes, I wouldn't own a gun even if I could. I'd be one of those people you read about who pick it up and shoot THEMSELVES in the foot.

 

[oriondw]

Let me get this straight. Somebody breaks into your house and you feel threatened. So you can get out your gun and, with fair warning, shoot the guy in the foot. But if you have a "Beware of Dog" sign (fair warning) and your dog bites him in the tush he can sue?

Well, if they break in. Its better to shoot them then to let your dog kill them.

And if your dog kills them first, still put a bullet in their chest so it looks like you shot him.

 

[oriondw]

2 things...

1.) "Fair Warning" is not required in most states. If you are in your home and you feel your life could be in danger, you can use lethal force without warning.

2.) If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to use a weapon to defend yourself, shooting the person in the foot would likely only escalate the situation. IF you decide that you need to use a gun to defend yourself, you better be able to KILL the intruder. If you are not willing or able to do so, you should not have a gun for the purpose of self defence.

If shoot, shoot to kill. No other way.

 

[Puckstop31]

2 more things

1) Moot point, I'm in Canada.

2) I cited shooting in the foot as an example because it would leave the thief in the position to sue. I know, aim for the biggest body part. Aim for the foot and you'll just probably mess up the hardwood floor. If I'm in fear for my life, I wouldn't want to be making an intruder dance. But yes, I wouldn't own a gun even if I could. I'd be one of those people you read about who pick it up and shoot THEMSELVES in the foot.

I gotta look up the laws about using lethal force in Canada. I know I could not use a handgun, but if I have my shotgun in our house, some fool breaks in and I send him to meet God... What happens to me? Would I be villified like I think I would be? I can just see the head line now...

"Crazy American shoots desperate man".

Still, better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6.