My dog was purposely sprayed in the face, mouth,eyes, chest etc. today with white marker paint for streets. Some as*&@#$ that was contracted in through the city thought that he would spray my dog because he was barking at him. I am so mad. The owner of the company is coming out to our house, but I am not sure what this company is responsible for. If anyone has advice please let me know. He is due to arrive in about an hour. I am so upset I can't even think straight. TIA

By Vicki on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 06:24 pm:

Did you have to take the dog to the vet for it? What the dog on your property and/or on a leash? I know that where we live, we have very strict rules and fines for dogs not being leashed. Was he afraid that your dog was going to attack him?

By Breann on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 06:40 pm:

Would that be considered animal abuse? Animal abuse is against the law here.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 06:52 pm:

Was the dog on a leash? If so, I would demand that the owner of the company pay for cleaning up your dog, and something extra for your "trouble". I would certainly call my vet - this paint is meant to be permanent and I am sure it contains chemicals not good for dogs or people. (My vet tech son says talk to your vet about the eyes, as there could definitely be a risk, but says he couldn't guess what could be used to get the paint off the dog.)

I would also report this to the SPCA or animal control people, and to the City, since the guy was working on a City contract (but do this reporting after you sort things own with the contractor). It is certainly animal abuse, but you won't be taken seriously unless your dog was (a) on a leash or (b) behind your fence.

Dogs bark - fact of life. If they are behind a fence or controlled on a leash and it is not during normal sleeping hours, well ... dogs bark.

No point in suing unless there is a dollar amount big enough to justify the trouble - and it is a lot of trouble - and the dollar amount just won't come anywhere near.

I

By My2cuties on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 11:23 pm:

How did it go? I just seen this post. I hope your dog is okay.

By Missmudd on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 11:06 am:

Here it would be vandalism. I know that sounds weird but the dog is your property, if you maliciously spray paint someones property it's vandalism. I definately would at least contact the police and see what they thought. At the very least this guy needs to have someone take a hard look at him. Why would anyone think that spray painting a dog would be appropriate because it was barking. Animal abuse is a big red flag for also a person doing people abuse. So unless they guy was trying to defend himself I would definately talk to someone about this.

By Shellyg on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 11:13 am:

Hey, I see that you are in California also. Was your dog on a leash? If this were MY dog, I would contact the County Animal Shelter and make a report against the creep who did this. It is animal abuse and he should be charged the 1000.00 fine. He should also pay for grooming for the nest few months (while the hair grows out) and any Vet visits.

By Dana on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 07:16 pm:

So what happened? How's the pooch?

By Breann on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 07:17 pm:

I was wondering what happened too

By Beth on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 09:46 am:

Curious what happened also??

By Truestori on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 11:36 am:

The owner of the company came out to my house with his two employees. The employee that was on my street is denying everything, did I expect any different? lol He actually offered to resign on the spot. Go figure, if your not guilty why even bother suggesting such a thing. He also contested that my dog wasn't barking, and being protective of his yard. I started to laugh because my dog is a guard dog, hence thats what he does best. So I offered to bring Tubby out and suggest that we watch how he responds to strangers while his owners were both present. Well, he did just as I said barked, observed, growled...and then layed down on command!

The head guy offered to pay his vet bill, new collar, bath etc. The problem is my dog is a yard dog and hates the vet, and would never be bathed by anyone but us. So, all in all I wouldn't really have any paperwork to provide for reimbursement of anything. The thing that sucks is no one witnessed him actually spraying my dog.Technically, I could prove with pictures and the can of paint they left that it is the same exact paint,but like Ginny stated it would cost more to fight...etc
My dog was behind my fence at the time.
I could file a complaint with the city, call the authorities and take it to that level but I'm not sure I want to do all of this considering he knows where we live and I have to children that live here. It is so upsetting to know that his boss still believes he is innocent and nothing has happened to this man! UUGGH
Truthfully, all I wanted was an apology, and his boss acted like we just wanted money out of the deal!

By Vicki on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 11:46 am:

I have just one question that might sound stupid, but how can they deny something when there is paint on the dog??? How do they think it got there?? Did you wash it off before they came?

By Unschoolmom on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 12:58 pm:

Did you tell the boss that an apology was all you really wanted? Being in his position, he might deal with a lot of complaints and it might be his experience that most people 'just wanted money'. Since it seems like a problem you've solved on your own could you let him know about the apology and then, in good humour, let him know that your dog would appreciate some dog treats for Christmas. It would just be a token but might end the whole mess on a good and humourous note for you both.

By Kate on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 01:04 pm:

Did YOU see him spray your dog? Is it your word against the worker's? Was the can of paint found behind your fence where your dog was?

I was wondering the same thing...what did they say when your white faced dog walked out??

By Truestori on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 03:05 pm:

Dawn,
I am very kind hearted and would of loved to end it on a humorous note but the owner insisted that he believed his employee.I didn't rinse all of the paint off of my dog, I did leave some on his chest. The guy didn't leave a spray can, I requested that they leave a can of the same paint that their company uses with me, and a buisness card. It just makes me mad that this guy gets off scott free!

By Tink on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 03:12 pm:

I would be furious that someone could treat my (or anyone's) dog in such an awful manner and just get away with it. No advice, just a {{hug}} because I know I would be sooo mad about it. So sorry that he did that and that no one is accepting responsibility.

By Tunnia on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 03:54 pm:

That is just terrible. I hope your dog is ok.