Ripper

[Broomjockey]

I just wanted to say, that sounds very misleading.

He did say *any* dog can snap. Not misleading at all.

[chainedbarista]

that happened to my mom; some nutjob neighbor of hers has a service dog but didn't have the little halter that indicates that it was a service dog, so my mom petted it, thinking nothing was out of the ordinary. not so...

a few days later, the owner sent a very nasty (and poorly written letter) threatening my mom to report her to the area manager for 'bothering a service dog while it was on duty.' that, and supposedly throwing her smaller dog across a lawn (how this came about, i have no idea, but i do know my mom and this never would have happened).

after reading this (and laughing at it), i told her that i'm pretty sure that the dog had to have some indicator that it was a service dog in the first place for her to even have a legit complaint, which lead to the second (but false) accusation.

some people are just beyond the pale.

[EvilEmpryss]

@ chainedbarista: I have a service dog, and I can tell you that you're pretty much correct: if the dog didn't have any obvious sign that it was a service dog (vest, harness, big SD tag, etc.) *and* the owner did not tell your mother "This is a service dog at work, please leave it alone", then your mother had no way of knowing that it was a working animal and cannot be held responsible for that "sin".

But forget about the whole service dog issue, going up to a random dog and petting it without the express permission of the owner is just asking to get bit.

Just a head's up, though: Interfering with a service dog at work is a violation of the ADA, and is punishable by a pretty hefty fine. Some unscrupulous people live to file complaints just to try to collect the fines. You're mom may be facing one of them.

[BethB]

The pitbulls I have known have been some of the most awesome dogs I have ever known. Gentle and sweet. Though protective if need be the most dangerous things about these dogs were their whipping tails on bare legs(in summer). YEEEEOWCH!!

[Record Store Tough Guy]

He did say *any* dog can snap. Not misleading at all.

Yep. Dogs, like people, can flip out for no readily discernable reason. Centuries of breeding have obviously reduced the chance, but any breed, regardless of owner, temperament, or training, can turn on humans. Yorkies, dachsies, poodles, setters, spaniels, pits, it doesn't matter. It's something every responsible dog owner should be aware of.

[Fire_on_High]

e their whipping tails on bare legs(in summer). YEEEEOWCH!!

BIL had a Pit x Black Lab cross who sadly passed earlier this year due to a stroke. He was really infamous for that...it was like being beaten in the shins with a ball bat. Even more dangerously, if he liked you he'd plop his generous behind right down on your foot while wagging and panting happily. It was a bit like having a dump truck parked on your foot!

[Seshat]

An animal welfare person I volunteered with told me the most dangerous dogs in her experience are the little dogs that belonged to frail aged people.

These little dogs were fine in their familiar environment, but as soon as they get lost outside (stray), or get surrendered to a shelter, or otherwise taken somewhere Strange and Scary, they're terrified! And what does any terrified creature do when cornered? Yeah.

Large dogs (usually) get walked, and the Outside isn't scary for them. So most large dogs that aren't specifically trained to be aggressive are predictable, and not likely to be as totally freaked-out-frightened as the little dogs that have been housebound their whole lives. (That said, they do have more powerful bodies. So when they ARE aggressive, they're more dangerous.)

Worst are the little dogs of breeds that -should- be getting exercise. The lapdog breeds are still bad, but working dog breeds NEED exercise or they go spare with boredom! So you have that not-quite-sane thing on top of the fear.

.... all in all, if there's a small stray, be -very- careful about trying to contain it yourself. Seriously consider calling in the experts.

[Record Store Tough Guy]

Though protective if need be the most dangerous things about these dogs were their whipping tails on bare legs(in summer). YEEEEOWCH!!

Oh good god, that hurts. An ex of mine had a Hugh Jass greyhound, and his tail was right at crotch level. I got smacked there several times. Also, he thought he was a lapdog. He weighed a good sixty pounds.

@seshat: Yep, and sometimes the little ones aren't trained as well since the consequences of a poorly behaved dog that is tiny are not as severe as a poorly behaved dog that is larger. Or their misbehavior is deemed cute, and no effort is made to correct them.