[nagdu] Law Regarding Attacks on Service Dogs

[Danielle Burton]

Thank you Karyn. I will keep those ideas in mind. I'm heping to go inJune. The instructor said she currently training a dog right now that she thinks will be a match for me. No final decisions are made yet. Which school did you go to? 

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> On Mar 23, 2014, at 1:49 AM, "Karyn & Thane" <bcpaws4me at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Good for you Danielle thinking about how you will handle the loose dog 
> situation.
> I am one who has experienced an attack that changed not just my dog but 
> myself. That said, I think its important to realistically assess the 
> situation.
> One thing I have found is that the more confidant and at ease I am, the more 
> confidant and at ease my dog will be. If it helps you to talk to the dogs 
> that you are approaching or who are approaching you, then by all means do 
> so. I find the ones at my complex as trying as the majority can be, they 
> often respond to my happy tone. Regardless of whether they are on or off 
> leash (or whether I am aware of that even) I have found saying *Good Morning 
> (or whatever)* as we pass really makes a positive impact for me, my dog, and 
> even the attitudes of neighbors who may not have taken their dogs behavior 
> as seriously before. Its all in how you approach it-- the more positive you 
> can be when discussing issues, the better potential for neighbors to want to 
> be helpful. Granted that isn't always the case, but I like to try and win 
> friends rather than create enemies.
> I moved about 1 1/2 yrs ago. My previous living circumstances, there was 
> only one other dog at the complex. Now I live in a huge complex where many 
> people have 2-3 yappy dogs. Most of the larger dogs are actually pretty good 
> and/ or the owners take their training and behavior more seriously. There 
> are times when it is very challenging with my previous experience with my 
> former dog, but the more I CHOOSE to work on how I feel about the 
> circumstances the better.
> Like Rox'E has said, I am also very aware of when dogs are around. Being 
> deafblind means I just do things a little differently. If its really an 
> issue, Thane will not let me continue on the path we are headed any more 
> than he would let me move forward when a driver has decided that they only 
> have to look left before making a right turn-- in fact people have told me 
> that Thane doesn't let me cross until he makes driver eye contact LOL. 
> Granted we have been together for a number of years, but it wasn't always 
> that way. You will learn to read your dogs signals as you have experiences 
> together.
> If you think loose dogs could challenge your confidance there are ways 
> (other than ones I've listed) to help settle you.
> As far as laws on the books though-- it is time for a federal protection for 
> all service dogs. When Met was attacked, the only thing that happened is his 
> bills got paid. Animal control allowed her to keep her aggressive dog 
> without requiring any stipulations (which they later saw their fallacy after 
> a human attack occurred) Try not to anticipate the worset though. We do hear 
> of attacks more than we would like, but what we don't often hear about are 
> the positive resolutions in situations that could have gone either way. 
> People also have different views on what constitutes an attack. To me, an 
> attack breaks the skin on my dog and requires some sort of care. Met had 
> multiple vet visits for care associated with the attack on him and was 
> unable to fulfill his job for at least a month (memory details a bit sketchy 
> 11 yrs after the fact). You'll do great with all the planning ahead you are 
> doing. Don't forget to let us know when you have a class date!
> 
> Karyn and Thane 
> 
> 
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