Do you take "Beware of Dog" signs serious? - Page 7

Chance&Reno · 03-23-2012, 12:31 AM

My lawyer told me that people automatically assume that a dog is dangerous because the sign is displayed. Displaying the sign says you have a dangerous dog and can lead to a lawsuit because you KNOW your dog is dangerous and you failed to keep the community safe from your "Dangerous dog", even if it jumps on a person and they receive an injury (Even a scratch).

I was told to place "dog on premises" signs around my property with "no tresspassing" signs as a warning. For those you are telling people to stay out and that you have a dog. Doesn't say it's dangerous, so it's just a dog. If they get injured for being stupid for coming on your property, that's their own fault.

He said it's the wording that causes the issue. I live in Massachusetts. People are VERY litigious around here and most of the idiots win their lawsuits.

shepherdmom · 03-23-2012, 01:06 AM

I like the beware of owner signs.

hunterisgreat · 03-23-2012, 07:12 AM

My attorney advised me not to put up a "caution, working dog" on my vehicle bc it was an admission my dogs would bite. He was also aware we do bitework with the dogs

hunterisgreat · 03-23-2012, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emoore

Exactly. Part of the reason I said "no" is because when I go to the property of someone I don't know, I'm worried more about the owner than the dog. I don't get out of my car until I see the property owner, "Beware of dog" sign or not.

I just get out but keep a bite sleeve near me :-)

FredD · 03-23-2012, 07:47 AM

Reality, it's a catch "22" ! A home owner here a little while back was cited for having no warning signs when a meter reader was bit by a dog. It boils down to who's got the smartest lawyer...

DianaM · 03-25-2012, 02:32 PM

If you don't know the dog well, assume the dog may have poor genetics, may not have been properly socialized, may not have been properly trained, OR has great genetics, has been very well trained and socialized, and will do the job it was bred for. Respect the dog, respect the property of others.

That said, this is my ideal sign: "This house has a big dog, a security system, and NRA life-members. Find an easier house."

Touie · 12-19-2012, 12:18 PM

It depends on where exactly the sign is and what the sign looks like.
But for the most part, no. I do not take “Beware of Dogs” signs seriously.

I think that a lot of people put them up as a joke, especially people with little dogs (lol, which we all know are the true guard dogs!) Now if I am approaching an old farm and see a wooden sign with some sort of warning carved into it, I’m on the look out for a big Great Pyrenees protecting it’s land.

We have a sign in our front door’s window, it’s yellow and has a German Shepherd’s photo on one side with the words “Hier Wache Ich!” in German. My dad brought it back with him when he visited Germany when I was about 3 years old. A lot of people ask us what it means and were more afraid of that sign than any regular sign because they had no clue what it said. It means “Here I am awake” in English, so it’s a little funny! Our German Shepherd Touie would never have hurt a fly and would have licked someone to death. She loved everyone.

I have since stuck a little Chihuahua face and Newfoundland face to the sign.
Must get my hands on a Poodle sticker and JRT one next.

HarleyTheGSD · 12-19-2012, 01:36 PM

[QUOTE=Mrs.K;2364301]Do you take it serious?
/QUOTE]
Yes, always. You can never assure that there is truly an aggressive dog on someone's property or not, but I will not be the one to find out. I also believe that people put those signs out just for show.

ponyfarm · 12-19-2012, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs.K

Do you take it serious?
Or is a "Beware of Dog" sign, nowadays just not enough to warn people that there is a dangerous dog residing?

My answer.."yes"...I am afraid of all dogs I don't know! Frankly, all animals I dont know!

Funny thing..I grew up around all kind of domestic, wild, zoo animals...I only trust 'em if I know 'em!!

Jag · 12-19-2012, 03:57 PM

Of course! Even though some people put them up just to deter people.. why take a chance? I know what previous shepherds of mine could have done to people who weren't welcome.... LOL....so I take that sign as if it were one of mine on the other side of it!

I also just put signs on my fence, just in case someone gets it into their head to attempt to come into the yard. We have a motel on one side, and I'd hate to have someone taken out because they weren't forewarned.

View Poll Results: Do you take "Beware of Dog" Serious
Yes, I am very cautious when I see that sign	89	70.08%
Nah... it's just a sign	19	14.96%
Neither - Explain	19	14.96%
Voters: 127. You may not vote on this poll

03-23-2012, 07:12 AM	#63 (permalink)
hunterisgreat Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,383	My attorney advised me not to put up a "caution, working dog" on my vehicle bc it was an admission my dogs would bite. He was also aware we do bitework with the dogs __________________ Hunter, USA trial helper, Charleston Working Dog Club Training Helper Beschützer des Jägers v. Sportwaffen, HOT, IPO1, AD, CGC Katya v. Hügelblick, HOT, IPO2, CGC SG Aska v. Ketscher Wald, 2 x SchH3, Kkl 1

03-23-2012, 07:47 AM	#65 (permalink)
FredD Master Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 913	Reality, it's a catch "22" ! A home owner here a little while back was cited for having no warning signs when a meter reader was bit by a dog. It boils down to who's got the smartest lawyer... __________________ Mikko-GSD- 2008 Wiley-GSD- 2009 "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning how to dance in the rain." (Author Unknown)

03-25-2012, 02:32 PM	#66 (permalink)
DianaM Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 10,198	If you don't know the dog well, assume the dog may have poor genetics, may not have been properly socialized, may not have been properly trained, OR has great genetics, has been very well trained and socialized, and will do the job it was bred for. Respect the dog, respect the property of others. That said, this is my ideal sign: "This house has a big dog, a security system, and NRA life-members. Find an easier house." __________________ Renji - 6 y/o M GSD x chow rescue Training @ The Canine Center - St Cloud, FL "German shepherd dog breeding is working dog breeding or it is not German shepherd dog breeding." -v. Stephanitz

12-19-2012, 12:18 PM	#67 (permalink)
Touie Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 69	It depends on where exactly the sign is and what the sign looks like. But for the most part, no. I do not take “Beware of Dogs” signs seriously. I think that a lot of people put them up as a joke, especially people with little dogs (lol, which we all know are the true guard dogs!) Now if I am approaching an old farm and see a wooden sign with some sort of warning carved into it, I’m on the look out for a big Great Pyrenees protecting it’s land. We have a sign in our front door’s window, it’s yellow and has a German Shepherd’s photo on one side with the words “Hier Wache Ich!” in German. My dad brought it back with him when he visited Germany when I was about 3 years old. A lot of people ask us what it means and were more afraid of that sign than any regular sign because they had no clue what it said. It means “Here I am awake” in English, so it’s a little funny! Our German Shepherd Touie would never have hurt a fly and would have licked someone to death. She loved everyone. I have since stuck a little Chihuahua face and Newfoundland face to the sign. Must get my hands on a Poodle sticker and JRT one next. __________________ ~Pawprints don't fade from the lives they've touched~ Please help the fight to end BSL!

03-23-2012, 12:31 AM	#61 (permalink)
Chance&Reno Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 334	My lawyer told me that people automatically assume that a dog is dangerous because the sign is displayed. Displaying the sign says you have a dangerous dog and can lead to a lawsuit because you KNOW your dog is dangerous and you failed to keep the community safe from your "Dangerous dog", even if it jumps on a person and they receive an injury (Even a scratch). I was told to place "dog on premises" signs around my property with "no tresspassing" signs as a warning. For those you are telling people to stay out and that you have a dog. Doesn't say it's dangerous, so it's just a dog. If they get injured for being stupid for coming on your property, that's their own fault. He said it's the wording that causes the issue. I live in Massachusetts. People are VERY litigious around here and most of the idiots win their lawsuits.

03-23-2012, 01:06 AM	#62 (permalink)
shepherdmom Knighted Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 2,323	I like the beware of owner signs.

12-19-2012, 01:36 PM	#68 (permalink)
HarleyTheGSD Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Missouri Posts: 369	[QUOTE=Mrs.K;2364301]Do you take it serious? /QUOTE] Yes, always. You can never assure that there is truly an aggressive dog on someone's property or not, but I will not be the one to find out. I also believe that people put those signs out just for show. __________________ Brittany -Harley "American Pet Lines" -Varick vom Haus Jeffery DDR Working/German Show

12-19-2012, 03:57 PM	#70 (permalink)
Jag Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,683	Of course! Even though some people put them up just to deter people.. why take a chance? I know what previous shepherds of mine could have done to people who weren't welcome.... LOL....so I take that sign as if it were one of mine on the other side of it! I also just put signs on my fence, just in case someone gets it into their head to attempt to come into the yard. We have a motel on one side, and I'd hate to have someone taken out because they weren't forewarned.

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