Signs?

**lwds** · 10-20-2006, 04:07 PM

From the other thread:

I'm sure there are people that will think a beware of dog signs means dangerous dog. It might keep people away, but what about the people that complain? Or, if the dog does happen to bite someone (on or off the property), could use that against the owner.

I wouldn't use one, but would choose another.

**Glacier** · 10-20-2006, 04:19 PM

My insurance agent advised against a "beware of dog" type sign. He said that if someone came on my property, invited or not, and got bit, the sign is a legal indication that I knew my dogs might bite and makes it easier to sue me!! I think that's just plain stupid, but he is the pro so I follow his advice.

I do have a KEEP GATE CLOSED signs everywhere! Plus a couple of joke signs in the yard. "Caution, musher at play", "I can get to the fence in 2.1 seconds, can you?"(with a picture of a husky on the sign) and one that says "Pets welcome, Children must be leashed."

**BC_MoM** · 10-20-2006, 04:52 PM

I don't have one - I don't need it. My dogs barks are enough.

**Lori Jordan** · 10-20-2006, 05:20 PM

I have them simply for protection now i have seen some very vicious sign i was at this Bargain mart store and they had a sign saying("Beware vicious pit bull with aids").That really errrrked me

.Anyways wed my friends 3 year old back handed Lacy because she was Licking her,And thank god lacy never responed she ran whinning needles to say Taylor was asked to leave along with her mother,that might ruin a friendship but as a mother your children should not be doing that and thinking it is ok.

**Ginger's Mom** · 10-21-2006, 08:15 AM

I am glad you started this thread, because I wanted to hear more about this, but didn't want to take Riptide's thread too off-topic.

Originally Posted by Glacier

My insurance agent advised against a "beware of dog" type sign. He said that if someone came on my property, invited or not, and got bit, the sign is a legal indication that I knew my dogs might bite and makes it easier to sue me!! I think that's just plain stupid, but he is the pro so I follow his advice.

This was my big question. As far as legal liability, does that sign make a difference? (I had a foster that bit someone once and someone suggested I get a sign, I wasn't comfortable with doing that because of the reasons the insurance agent stated). Ginger would never bite anyone (I don't think), but she is very good a posturing, and delivery people knock on my door then move back by my neighbor's steps when I answer the door. I am afraid that it would make her look vicious if I put the sign up, and she really really is not.

Any way, Johanna, any other attorney? Does this sign make a difference legally?

**Lori Jordan** · 10-21-2006, 05:18 PM

I think signs make a big difference,If someone was to walk in your yard,and something was to happen to them and tried to hold you countable for whatever happend that sign can save you butt!!!!!That is why so many people have them now.

**Lady's Human** · 10-21-2006, 05:31 PM

If someone is trespassing, they are trespassing. If Lady is outside and she doesn't like them, it's on them. (Lady has never bitten anyone, but if she doesn't like/trust someone, she makes it very obvious from the beginning)

**Ginger's Mom** · 10-21-2006, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by Lady's Human

If someone is trespassing, they are trespassing. If Lady is outside and she doesn't like them, it's on them. (Lady has never bitten anyone, but if she doesn't like/trust someone, she makes it very obvious from the beginning)

What if they have a purpose for coming on the property? Meter reading, making a delivery, mail carrier, bill collector (just kidding

), but there are many legitimate reasons for "strangers" (to the dog anyway) to be on your property.

**GreyhoundGirl** · 10-21-2006, 07:40 PM

But if someone does come on your property and get bitten, if you have a sign, can you say "I told you so" or "I warned you." You did give them fair warning that you had a dog.

(Sorry for bringing this off-topic but... ) My friend got sued because someone broke into her house during the day, and got attacked by her dog. When she got home, the dog had the man locked in the closet onconsious from loss of blood. And the dog had two of the mans fingers in it's mouth.

Talk about a good guard dog, though, Eh? Still, the man broke into her house, it's hardly more than he deserves. I don't understand how people get sued when someone comes into their house and gets attacked. She did have a "beware of Newfoundland dog" sign. This man was *supposably illiterate. But you'd think a sign with a large dog on it would have clicked?