Hi there, I got a new lab last day. I love dogs but this is the first time I am having one. He is just 4 months old. Last day, I went for walking with him. When I was doing my exercises in the park, I kicked another dog accidentally. It tried to attack me aggressively but my lab came to protect me and they went into a fight. My lab was not trained and he suffered many wounds. He is admitted at a hospital. I feel sad to see him that way. He becomes aggressive sometimes. My friend asked me to report this and that I will get the compensation for it. I read an article regarding it http://www.monteithbaker.com/practice-areas/personal-injury/dog-attacks/ but it says that the contact address of the dog owner is necessary to get the compensation. But I really don't have it. What can I do now? Is there any other way to get compensated?
Hi there. Are you in Canada? I'm afraid I'm not sure of your laws there but if you don't know who you are claiming FROM then how can you put in a claim? A bit like if someone pronged your car in a car park with no witnesses. I hope you both are recovered.
I'm sorry this happened to you and especially sorry that it happened to your puppy. I hope he's doing much better now. From the compensation stand-point, however, I think even if you did have contact information you'd have a very hard time making a claim. From your description, you kicked the other dog first (even if it was an accident) and your dog attacked first (even if he is only a puppy). Once your pup is healthy again, please look into working with positive training methods to help him get over any issues he may have with relating to other dogs, both on and off leash. Your pup may be understandably more fearful after this experience, which can mean more aggression (for example lunging or fear biting). Good training and being aware of other dogs in your environment will help keep both of you safe in the future when you have him out and about. The forum is a great place to ask lots of questions, so please do keep coming back!
Your poor, poor puppy. I do hope he recovers ok. It may just be your expression, but some of the thing you say, such as your dog isn't trained (do you mean to fight?) so he was injured, and he came to protect you, and sometimes he can be aggressive does make me wonder a bit. Labradors are not guard dogs, and you shouldn't expect them to guard - only professionals have any business training a dog to guard and never to make a mistake (e.g. guard something he shouldn't, or show aggression to someone he shouldn't). No dog should be trained to fight - indeed that would be illegal in the UK.
So sorry to hear you have had this awful experience. I would agree with the recommendation to begin some positive training (force-free) with your pup. Using a clicker is a great way to help him learn things. As Emily says, there is lots of information here and on the main site on how to do this. Please keep us posted as to how your pup is doing.
