Mandated reporting - dog attacks

[Taylor355]

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In discussion with a social worker tonight, she told me about a case in another state where a dog owner broke up his two unaltered (& papered) Pit Bulls while they were attacking his third dog, an older Husky.

The Husky's collar was apparently caught on the owner's fence and the other two dogs marred the poor Husky who couldn't get away. The owner, a police officer, and the Husky were pretty badly wounded. This was the second time the Pit Bulls attacked the Husky when the female Pit Bull was in heat. The SW knew about the case because there is a 6-mo baby in this family. The owner's solution to this problem is to have the pit bulls spayed/neutered, and that he is otherwise 'in control of his animals' and 'outsiders are just stereotyping against Pit Bulls', using the any-dog-can-bite argument. Although the dogs live in separated areas from the family, still the SW feels this poses a threat. As an outsider, I agree with the SW.

As veterinarians & students, do you have mandatory reporting to an animal protection agency for cases like this where dogs, like the Husky, may be considered in danger given the repeated attacks? (Or is it, dogs will be dogs?)
Likewise, even though a child was not threatened an incident, are you required to report this type of information to child protective services given this could be considered an early warning sign. What is your role?

 

[Angelo84]

I believe the laws on this likely differ from state to state. I believe in MA since one of the dogs bit the owner that dog is required to be in rabies quaratine for ten days. There is no obligation to notify child protective services. The dogs attacked each other because one of the dogs was in heat. This is a fairly understandable (from the dog's point of view)fight. Two male dogs fighting over access to an in heat female dog. The female may have joined the fight after the other dog started it. It would be interesting to know if the bites to the owner were accidental--he separated the dogs incorrectly, or redirected aggression, or intentional aggression. If the dogs only fight when the female is in heat then spaying her and neutering both males should solve the problem.

I think in this case it is a big leap from dog-dog aggression to aggression towards the child.

Anyone else have other ideas?

 

[Bill59]

Veterinarians have an ethical obligation to protect the privacy of clients. Exceptions include instances where it's necessary to protect the health and welfare of the animals or humans who are or may be endangered.

Some states have laws requiring a veterinarian to report suspicions of organized dog fighting or other cruelty to animals and others have laws protecting veterinarians from liability if their report is made in good faith. I don't know of any laws requiring a veterinarian to report a potentially dangerous dog, although they may exist. However, many areas have laws that allow anyone to report a potentially dangerous dog and the officials are required to investigate.

On the other hand, a veterinarian could face a huge legal exposure if they had reason to suspect a dog was dangerous and did not do anything about it and someone was subsequently injured or killed.

As veterinarians & students, do you have mandatory reporting to an animal protection agency for cases like this...

A student shouldn't be doing anything, it's the responsibility of the veterinarian.

 

[Taylor355]

Thanks for your replies.