Tiny, 3# Chihuahua designated 'dangerous dog'

[Lady's Human]

Size really doesn't matter.

If that dog bites a child, it could do serious damage. I think someone in another thread referred to Chis as lap piranha...fitting description.

I see no real issue with the city's decision.

[Catty1]

While large dogs can do more heavy damage, small dogs IME have REALLY SHARP TEETH. While they may not break bones, they can sure puncture skin!

[mon]

Hey, everone loves their dog. Large or small. Anyone with experience with dogs knows that when they feel threatened, or they feel that their loved ones are threaten, they may become aggressive. Preriod?

[mon]

I also forgot to mention that my husband was bit by a small dog when he was a child. The physical scars healed. The fear of dogs. That took years. He did not even tell me for quite some time. People with no fear of dogs may find that funny. I don't think that fear is ever funny. The point I am trying to make is simply this, everyones experience is differrent.

[wolf_Q]

I agree that small dogs are more likely to bite, I'm a groomer, small dogs try to bite way more than big dogs. But I do think this is a bit on the ridiculous side, especially considering there was no medical report on the bite. I'm sorry but I would be pissed if somebody said my dog bit them but had no photos or medical report to prove it. I feel like that is necessary, especially to be declared a "dangerous dog." I think the million dollar insurance policy is beyond ridiculous. If the dog (any dog, any size of dog) inflicted some serious damage, okay, but but a bite that didn't even require medical attention? Require the dog be in a securely fenced yard or on a leash at all times, problem solved. Which I feel like EVERY dog owner should be required to do, I don't care if you have the friendliest dog on the planet, unless they have awesome recall skills and they will not leave your side or yard, EVER, don't allow them to be loose.

[Jessika]

I agree that small dogs are more likely to bite, I'm a groomer, small dogs try to bite way more than big dogs. But I do think this is a bit on the ridiculous side, especially considering there was no medical report on the bite. I'm sorry but I would be pissed if somebody said my dog bit them but had no photos or medical report to prove it. I feel like that is necessary, especially to be declared a "dangerous dog." I think the million dollar insurance policy is beyond ridiculous. If the dog (any dog, any size of dog) inflicted some serious damage, okay, but but a bite that didn't even require medical attention? Require the dog be in a securely fenced yard or on a leash at all times, problem solved. Which I feel like EVERY dog owner should be required to do, I don't care if you have the friendliest dog on the planet, unless they have awesome recall skills and they will not leave your side or yard, EVER, don't allow them to be loose.

I pretty much agree with this 100%.

It's hard for me not to comment on the "small dog bite" issue in a context outside of this article since my experiences are in-clinic, and this bite did not happen in a clinic situation, so it's easy for me to go off on a tangent that puts small breed dogs in a situation that is not similar to the one in this article.

[Glacier]

All of the conditions put on the dog/owner are very standard across Canada when a dog is designated dangerous. I used to own a dog deemed dangerous and I had to do all of those things and then some! The warning signs on our gates still make me laugh. Beware of dog & Dangerous dog on premises signs, but you figure out which dog! At the time I had 24 dogs and the one who was considered dangerous wasn't the one who would be barking at the gate!

I'm curious as to who will sell the insurance policy. We got that condition waived as no insurance company would sell a policy specific to the dog. It's in our local bylaw, but the city sent us a letter waiving the requirement.

I agree that a bite is a bite and they all need to taken seriously regardless of the size of a dog. A tiny dog could still do significant damage to a baby/child, even if they couldn't to an adult.

My experience with Mac changed how I think about dangerous dogs and bites in general. In hindsight, I should have euthanized him immediately.

[mrspunkysmom]

I pretty much agree with this 100%.

It's hard for me not to comment on the "small dog bite" issue in a context outside of this article since my experiences are in-clinic, and this bite did not happen in a clinic situation, so it's easy for me to go off on a tangent that puts small breed dogs in a situation that is not similar to the one in this article.

So do I. I also think that the couple and their legal rep should have been able to see the bite on the woman as well as a medical report.

On the other hand, if that dog had bitten someone prone to bleeding, the situation could be much worse.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

I agree that small dogs are more likely to bite, I'm a groomer, small dogs try to bite way more than big dogs. But I do think this is a bit on the ridiculous side, especially considering there was no medical report on the bite. I'm sorry but I would be pissed if somebody said my dog bit them but had no photos or medical report to prove it. I feel like that is necessary, especially to be declared a "dangerous dog." I think the million dollar insurance policy is beyond ridiculous. If the dog (any dog, any size of dog) inflicted some serious damage, okay, but but a bite that didn't even require medical attention? Require the dog be in a securely fenced yard or on a leash at all times, problem solved. Which I feel like EVERY dog owner should be required to do, I don't care if you have the friendliest dog on the planet, unless they have awesome recall skills and they will not leave your side or yard, EVER, don't allow them to be loose.

I also agree with this 100%. I am also in the veterinary field and I can attest that smaller breed dogs bite way more often than any large(er) breeds of dogs.

[snakemama]

One of my customers was bitten in the face by her own chihuahua, around this size, and required six stitches.

I'm glad the dangerous dog law is applied universally regardless of size/breed. Can you imagine the nightmare of trying to determine the consequences on an individual basis?