dog bite | Susan Baganz

Benji was an old pup, overweight, beset with quirks Peeing in the house was high on the list of what would irk He could be kind of bossy, and a bully when he played, But most of the time he snuggled, my Velcro dog by day. Spoiled rotten he was and a piggy to boot He'd scare himself whenever he'd toot. He lost the weight and the allergies too But with focal seizures and shaking, his brain was going to-da-loo. He'd nip and growl if he didn't get his way, Or perhaps when he was surprised, Instead of moving out of the way He'd lunge and with his teeth - swipe. He'd finally crossed a line with the one he loved most One quick movement and his future was toast. He took a bite out of my calf, through jeans he left his mark It was with relief and sorrow that we'd finally come to part. I never thought it'd come to this The decision needed to be made. A dog that bit was too high a price For what I'd have to pay. To walk around my home in fear Out of love for a dog so dear And worry about our friends who came It was time, but just the same To say good bye is hard, even when you're hurt To lose a loved one so cute and bury him in dirt But I've learned things and know I tried To give him his best life before he died. He was loved and cared for, free to run, And now his journey is over and done. Bye-bye, Benji with those big soulless eyes Your whimpers will no longer awaken me before the sunrise I will not miss your belly bands or cleaning up your pee But I will miss you snuggling right up next to me.

On a beautiful Monday, May morning. 6:50 a.m., I took my dog, Spatzle, a Maltese mix, out to do his “business.” We headed down the driveway to the front yard when I heard excited yapping. A rat terrier was charging us from across the street. He had broken his tie-out leash. I picked Spatzle up because he was raring for a fight. I headed back up the driveway to the back deck. The Rat terrier bit me in the calf, and then followed me, yipping all the way. I didn’t run but I was stunned by the audacity of this little animal. He didn’t come up the stairs to our back door. I might have had to kick him if he’d tried to follow us into the house.

I managed to get into the house. I checked my leg. Nasty bruise and four puncture wounds – even though I wore pants. I headed out the front door to try to find the dog and his owner.

I went to talk to her. She’d been in the house. The dog had been out alone. I showed her the bite and told her I was going to go to Urgent Care.

I went to the clinic. I was traveling to Colorado the next morning so I requested an antibiotic just to be safe because the doctor didn’t want to give me one. I prevailed. I got my tetanus shot because it was overdue. The police were called.

I joke that calling the police on your neighbors is the best way to get to know them. Seriously, this is the second time in seven years that the police were called on a neighbor and it provided an opportunity to interact in a favorable way! We had a pleasant conversation.

A police report was filed. She had a hefty fine to pay. I warned my kids that as much as I adore our dog, if he bit someone unprovoked like that, I’d be putting him down. I cannot afford a dog like that. Her fine was over $400! My insurance will be going after her renter’s insurance for the payment of my medical bills. Her dog was given a 10-day quarantine.

I thought that was the end of it. Then I got a notice for a restitution hearing and had to go online to see what the statutes are regarding this kind of thing. Apparently, not only is she liable for my medical bills but because the dog has bitten before, she has to appear in court (and I’m invited). According to the law, if the dog has bitten before: “The owner of a dog shall forfeit not less than $200 nor more than $5,000 if the dog injures or causes injury to a person…” (Wisconsin State Statute 174.02). This is not about reimbursing medical expenses.

Yikes!

Oh, and the judge can determine if the dog is to be put down. Kind of implied that this is the way things will go since the dog has bitten twice.

I will have a permanent scar. Not a big deal. Thankfully it was my calf and not my hand. Thankfully my daughter wasn’t the one to take the dog out. She might not have been able to rescue our dog and her injuries could have been far worse (physically and psychologically).

So that’s my dog bite adventure. Never a dull moment in my world.