My dog allegedly bit another tenant in our building

[NDDogLvr]

I'm at a loss tonight. I have a 3 year old female spayed Rottweiler. She's been through classes and loves people and most dogs. She has never started a fight and never shown any agression toward people. When I took her out tonight, we ran into another tenant walking his boxer. We have seen them before and Mia has never had a problem with this dog. Tonight when we met, I asked if it was ok for her to sniff his dog. Mia was happy and licking the boxer and the boxer was fine too. There was no fear or aggression in either dog. When I told Mia it was time to go, I thanked him for letting Mia officially "meet" his dog, and that Mia really missed being able to play with other dogs (because I don't know most of the dogs around here, I tend to stay clear of them). He told me that the last time he ran into her with his dog she BIT him. He said that he had his kid with him and seemed to be insinuating that Mia went after her too. I felt like he was lying, because he didn't offer up any more details than that.

I asked my stepdaughter about it, because it would have been when she was taking care of her. My stepdaughter is 19, and Mia respects her authority. She told me that the dogs had met up in passing (he was in front with his boxer, his wife and daughter were walking behind) and were sniffing and licking and getting along fine, but when my stepdaughter pulled Mia away so they could go in the building, he said "Your dog bit me".

When he said that to me, I was so shocked, I couldn't even think about what to say. I just said "Wow, that seems really strange because she has never bit any person or animal. She's always really friendly." I didn't apologize, because I thought that could be perceived as an admission of guilt, if he were to report this, which I am not sure he did. I haven't received anything from our building, yet. But they are sometimes slow to issue complaints.

Several people in this building have met her and know she is nice. She's also been great with kids of all ages. The kids around here are so uneducated about dogs. I try to catch them before they get all over her, but she just loves them to pieces. They all go away covered in dog spit. She's also met many of the building maintainance crew and office staff. The people she's met in the office thought she was the greatest.

What should I do?? I know there is a first time for everything, but her history and temperament up to this point do not support his claim! Should I file an incident report, to the apartment manager? Or just wait and see if anything happens? Thanks for any feedback!!!

[gilby00]

it'a a case of he said she said, although he might have witness's. If your daughter didn't see it or hear the dog growl or anything, the man might be full of bs. when a rottie goes to bite you see it, feel it and hear it. I would tend to believe your daughter. i guess wait and see what happens if anything

[Sadgirl]

That is strange. He claims your dog bit him, yet he let you approach him again?
Does he seem like a normal, decent guy? Maybe you should ask him exactly what happened. You might be walking on eggshells around your neighbor if you don't address it. However, I don't see it as your responsibility to make any report yourself. What would you report? My opinion is as a dog owner in general, not a rottweiler owner, so maybe others will disagree. I would be upset too, but this seems odd.

[Anne]

I don't believe a word of it. If your dog bit this person then your step daughter would be well aware of it. It think I would avoid this man and his dog. Who know what his motives are.

[TrinaJ]

I too find it very strange that he allowed your dog to even come close to him or his dog, let alone sniff and lick etc, if Mia allegedly 'bit' him.

Presonally I would avoid any further contact with him, his story doesn't sound right and he sounds like a person who 'could' potentially make trouble for you and your dog.

He just doesn't sound right....what person in their right mind would let a dog who had bit them before approach them or their dog!! Like Anne says, you dont know what his motives are, there are weirdo's in this world, best you avoid him.

Trina

[targonrotts]

i would wait to see if anything comes of it...but i don't think your dog bit him by what you described and by him letting her approach a second time!
possibly he could have accidentally bumped his hand near her mouth if she had it open and scraped by her teeth...but i think if he would have been bitten, he would have really carried on.
just be careful around him, just in case he starts spreading rumors about her.

[Denise L.]

The same thing happened at the condo where Richard the Rottweiler lived.

I had him out on leash of course in front of the condo. He was just sitting when the boyfriend of one of the owners (who owned 2 Afghans that, for some reason, ALL the dogs in the condo hated, Richard included) walked by.

I said "hello" and Richard never moved from his sit. Next I hear the owner is telling me Richard bit her boyfrined on the foot.

It was so ludicrous I just laughed and told her she would have to do better than that

[QuietDaze]

He's a loony toons. I would avoid him like the plague. Like everyone else has said, I don't know anyone who would allow the dog who 'bit' them to get close enough to do it again.

[fostermom]

He might have come in contact with one of her teeth in an accidental "bump" ...or could she have mouthed him? His definition of a bite might be different than yours...I'd ask him for more information.

[debbiej]

it does sound fishy. I would write up an account of your dog's interatctions with this man, his accusations, and why you deem them false. date it, and you and stepdaughter sign it. describe her good temperament, list classes taken, titles she has, if any, and perhaps "character references". then submit it to the office of your building, and keep a few copies for your own records.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by QuietDaze

He's a loony toons. I would avoid him like the plague. Like everyone else has said, I don't know anyone who would allow the dog who 'bit' them to get close enough to do it again.

Exactly.

If a dog bit me, there would certainly be some sort of reaction/verbalization/response from me AT THE TIME IT OCCURRED that would be hard to miss .......and you can be darn sure I wouldn't be looking for more interaction.

I wouldn't be looking for more input from him....that would just give him the opportunity to expand on his "story".

Without making a big deal out of it, I would casually and discreetly avoid him as if he were a time bomb. At times when in proximity, I'd move the opposite direction a bit and do a little attention training with me focused on my dog, and my dog focused on me, ignoring him completely.

[NDDogLvr]

Thank you for validating my suspicion...that he's setting us up for something! I will be avoiding that guy like the plague. In the meantime, we'll continue training and start working toward the CGC. Hopefully we'll be house hunting soon. I'd like to get out of here like yesterday!

[moz205]

Originally Posted by debbiej

it does sound fishy. I would write up an account of your dog's interatctions with this man, his accusations, and why you deem them false. date it, and you and stepdaughter sign it. describe her good temperament, list classes taken, titles she has, if any, and perhaps "character references". then submit it to the office of your building, and keep a few copies for your own records.

I agree fully with Debbie only I would write it in email and send to myself as it is dated and that date can't be denied. If you need to prove anything, it can't be said that you just wrote that up. Not sure if I would give to the office of the building just yet though. This guy is trouble and sounds like a nut.