A "Rescue" Gone Bad?

Yesterday, I awoke to find a dog on our front porch. The poor guy was obviously lost/tired and he didn't have a collar. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/frown.gif As I opened the door, he took off down the street. I thought that was the last I'd see of him but about an hr or so later, my sister found him back on our porch. Again he took off when he saw us, but this time he hid in the nieghbor's yard. Figuring he was thirsty/hungry, I set out a bowl of water and some leftovers. He devoured the scraps once we went back inside the house. About 15 min later, I went out to check on him. He let me approach him (he was near but not at the water bowl) but apparently I got to close...he bit my hand. He didn't growl, didn't bristle his fur, no warning what-so-ever. Well, because he didn't have proof of shots and because there are lots of young children around the neighborhood, I called Animal Control. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/frown.gif The lady on the phone, asked me to describe the dog. After I gave the description, she replied that she might know who the dog belonged to; I gave her the rest of the info that she needed and was told an animal control officer would be there in "just a few minutes" and I would need to stay close by so they could file a report. Two phone calls and about an hr and half later, the owner -not animal control- picked up the dog. (Animal control showed up about 45 min after the owner and the lady who "took my statement" was something else--she wrote a false statement RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! I certainly made her change it!! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/mad.gif ) The officer told me that the dog would be confined for 10 days (the owner had the option of the pound or her vet's office), after that period was up, the owner had the choice of having the dog put to sleep or taking it home.

When the owner picked up the dog, she told us he was very old and not current on shots, and usually just snaps, not bites. She was obviously upset about the situation. She thanked us for trying to help and apologized for him biting. She also mentioned that she was considering having him put to sleep.

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Due to the nature of the call(s), I'm very upset with the Animal Control Office for taking so long to respond! It should not have taken an hr and a half for them to get there; we live less than 15 minutes away from the shelter. And then the officer who wrote the false statement...grrrr... http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/mad.gif

On the flip side, I feel for the owner and her long time companion. I HATED having to involve the pound, but because the dog didn't have tags and because there was a possiblity that he might try to bite someone else--possibly a child--I felt I had to do something. I'm just wondering if I did the 'right' thing. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/confused.gif

Thanks for letting me vent.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

Oh sweetie, you definitely did the right thing! Unfortunately, it's the poor dog that suffers in the end, BUT this is definitely a safety issue. Sounds like the dog has a problem that the owner is not willing to handle and would rather send it to the pound, plus not keep up on shots etc-could be financial..but sounds like Animal Control is familiar with the situation.ANYWAY!! Right now the issue is YOU! with that bite. I hope you have called your doctor, at least got a tetanus shot and advised him of situation so that's it on record. I know you'll be fine and you DEFINITELY did the right thing so don't be down on yourself or feel guilty, you did more than most people would do. You're an angel. Keep in touch.

Karen, thanks for your reply and concern!

The bite is healing up nicely. Luckily, I'm current on my shots! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif lol

Did the dog break the skin??? If it did you might have to look into that!
That Animal Control officer might want to look for another job!! Sorry you had a hard time with him.Most are not like that.
I was bit 2 years ago by a dog and ended up having to get the rabies shots. that was not the greatest. it was because i didn't want to report the bite and have everyone in the neighborhood worried about this dog. she bit out of fear, not agression.
She was found dead a day later in the local lake. sad story and i will never forget her.
hopefully the dog that bit you didn't break your skin because that would be the only reason you would need the shots.i don't want to scare you, i just wanted you to know this info.
good luck...
Ducky

That is certainly an unforgetable heart-wrenching story!

You're right, I believe that officer should consider looking for a new job.

The bite did break the skin. It seems to be healing up nicely, though it is still pretty sore.

Thank you for your reply/suggestion!

I've been on the opposite end, sort of, of your story. A few days after moving to a new state, my 2 dogs ran off. I had immediately called the local police and vet clinic. I'd search the area for about 30 minutes and then come inside to check the answering machine. The second time I checked, there was a message saying where the dogs had been seen. I'm thankful that someone called the police (we don't have an animal control.) I'm lucky my dogs only chased someone. You did the right thing and so did whoever called on my dogs. Good luck with the wound.