Lots of weirdos out there. Another good reason to carry pepper spray!

 

Oh dear!

I’m trying to remember who posted here about coming back to their car once and seeing clear (bloody?) evidence that someone had stuck their hand in, likely oblivious to the black poodle who was coiled in the shadows like a snake.

Peggy will poke her head out for affection from passersby, but I can’t imagine what she’d do if someone reached into the car.

 

That's scary! Nice try dude. Maybe it was innocent but silly and I hope he learned. I had a guy try to open my passenger door at a stop sign one time, I was making a right turn. I swear he would have gotten in if the door wasn't locked. Wish I would have had a dog with me!

 

So sorry to hear of the difficult encounter. Fortunately all are safe.

Unfortunately we decided that keeping our windows mostly shut was the best plan of action. My daughter used to feel sorry for those who were "begging" on the street (Culver City, CA). That is until one of them reached in her driver's window, and tried to grab her arm and pull her out of her car. (No Dog to protect her). Even on the nicest of days and we live in a "safe" city, we both never open our windows more than a few inches. The "sunroof" can be open but not the windows. Sort of a sign of our times in parts of our country.

Fortunately no one was hurt--but it could have gone "South" very quickly if Meisha had bitten the intruder, and then he took physical action against both you and Meisha. Not sure that pepper spray would have stopped some people. Be safe!

 

Yikes, he really sounds unhinged and more than a little entitled. Parking lots are not petting zoos.

In my town we have an ordinance that spells out the circumstances under which a dog may be declared vicious. The ordinance says that a dog is not to be considered vicious if the dog might reasonably believe its offspring or its humans have been threatened. Dude sticking his arm in your window seems like that kind of threat.

 

That's pretty shocking behavior from start to finish. Some people are unhinged.

 

Very weird and very scary. Definitely would not be your fault if Meisha defended herself or her property. I hope this incident hasn’t scarred her.

 

Weirdo, would have served him right to have a big chunk taken out of his arm. You just don't stick your arm into anyones car for any reason!

 

It's become difficult to judge who's under the influence of whatever, who's got criminal intentions, who has mental issues, and who's just a dumb bunny.

 

My husband used to have a mastiff/boxer mix. Big, protective, dark brindle. He drove a generic old minivan. One day, he came out of wmart to find a lady clutching her chest and staring at his van. She had mistaken it for hers and got in only to hear this low rumbling growl right behind her.

No one messed with Murphy

 

LOL. I once got into a car with a strange man in the drivers seat and two black labs in the back. I'd had outpatient surgery and - you know how they tell you to bring a driver? There's a reason for that.
I brought a driver but he wasn't keeping close enough track of me apparently.
The labs were delighted. The man was sort of horrified. As was my husband, who was waving at me frantically from outside the car.

 

In some states, dog bites are "strict liability" which means you're liable if your dog bites someone, unless you can show some exception applies. But the presumption is that if your dog bit someone it's on you.
You would need to ask an attorney in your state.
Most states have an exception if the dog was provoked, but of course that's the sort of thing you'd need to hire a lawyer to argue. Which would mean paying said lawyer.
My advice is make sure your homeowners or renters insurance covers dog bites and pay your premium.
As to why the intruder would react angrily to your dog acting reasonably to protect you? My guess is he had bad intentions and was angry your dog thwarted them.

 

Generally if somebody is trespassing on your private property, either your house or your car, you are not liable if your dog bites them.

 

In Washington state if someone is bitten by your dog even on your own property you are liable. It really depends on the state law and if you can prove it was provoked or your dog was protecting you from an actual threat. I had to look up my state law after the original post because I wanted to know what would happen if this ever happened to me personally with my dogs, especially since they come with me in my car a LOT. I would hire a lawyer. I’m not entirely sure if Magnus would bite someone who put their arm in my car window and scared me. It’s my personal belief that if anyone is sticking their arm into a car that doesn’t belong to them they deserve to get bitten, unless it’s a child or the mentally disabled with the mind of a child.

 

About 15 years ago I had a man hop my fence and run through my backyard. He was running from the police and stashed something by my garbage cans on his way through. The police seemed highly disappointed that my dogs didn’t attack him lol. Pretty sure the laws here have changed since then.

 

I've looked up bite laws before. There's a thing called one free bite, but I think your dog has to be utd on the rabies shot or they get quarantined at your expense. This applies even on your property.

 

Sounds to me like the guy was looking for an easy paycheck. Believe it or not there's people out there desperate enough. They will entice invade a dog's space let them bite them if they think it will bring money. If the window had been up and forced entry it would be the equivalent of breaking and entering. Entering through the open window without permission is second degree criminal trespassing.

 

I understand if you have someone over at your house or in your yard as a guest and your dog bites them you are at fault but what about if the person is not welcome/trespassing or broke into your home?

 

If you can prove trespassing, then not at fault, but things can get complicated when the dog's history and training are taken into consideration. A trained guard dog is considered a legal weapon in some places. So stand your ground or castle laws would apply then. Best to check your local regs before anything happens, just in case.

 

Yes, and you have to be very careful what type of sign you have on your fence. If you post a sign saying "beware of dog" or "guard dog on duty" or anything that suggests they may get bitten you are admitting that you know your dog is dangerous and may bite (even if it is not true it can be used against you). I want people to know there is a dog and not to open the gate or leave the gate open so he can get out, but don't want to imply that he is dangerous. My sign says "patrolled by poodle".

I had Giant Schnauzers before Zephyr, and one of them did bite a man who came in to read the water meter. The police told me that since there was a sign on the fence (at the time it was just a picture of a giant schnauzer and said "schnauzers on premises") and he came into my yard anyway my dog was not liable for the bite. It still went on his record, though.

 

My uncle once returned to his SUV to discover that a large growling dog thought it was his.
He foolishly attempted to convince the dog to leave.
Needless to say, he was bitten.

 

I find a simple sign of notice works. Something that reads like this. Notice large breed dog off leash with full range of access to yard. Confined by a fence or tethered etc. Enter at your own risk by entering you assume responsibility for any accidents injuries and damage to people pets or property. Ending with private property violators will be prosecuted. It would still be wise though to check local laws. Make sure the sign is enough to release you from liability has the force of law.

 

Check your state laws. Some are "one free bite" laws, IOW, if you don't know your dog bites until s/he does, then you're not liable.
Others, like mine, are strict liability. If your dog bites, then you're liable unless some exception applies. Which will be codified in your state law.