Legal Question in Personal Injury in Michigan

Children Teasing Dog

My house is divided from neighbors by mutually owned chain link fence. They have started daycare and the kids get my dog upset. They kick the fence, throw things at him, bark back at him, and poke him with sticks. He is a mild mannered dog but I am afraid of what will happen if the kids put their hands through the fence.

I have tried talking to the neighbor adults and kids, but no improvement. The kids are unsupervised most of the time.

If a child is injured who would be responsible? Their daycare provider, or myself? Do I need to start documenting my requests to keep the kids from hassling my dog?

Thanks in advance. I would hate for anyone to get hurt.


Asked on 4/01/03, 11:37 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
William Stern William Stern, P.C.

Re: Children Teasing Dog

If the dog bites a kid who teased him through the fence, you are not responsible. The problem arises when the dog hates the kids next door because of the teasing and some innocent kid goes to pet the dog and the dog associates the nice kid with one who teased because it is from the same location. In that situation, you may be responsible. More, importantly, if your dog bites someone, it could cause difficulties with animal control. Let me make a suggestion that could solve lots of problems for you in the future. Put in an invisible fence (electric). It will keep your dog away from the fence by the kids. It is a lot cheaper than legal action and you will not have problems with animal control. P.S. I am an avid dog lover and have handled lots of cases involving dogs. Bill Stern 248-353-9400

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Answered on 4/01/03, 3:42 pm


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