My Friend’s Dilemma

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

I have a dear friend who lives on the other side of the country. For forty years we have remained very close, visiting occasionally but staying in touch every day. Last night she called with what she said was a dilemma. Here it is:

She has a close friend who lives in her town. They hike together, go out together (my friend is divorced and her friend is a widow), and have turned to each other for help. Two nights ago, my friend went to a family dinner at her friend's home. Kids, grandkids, and granddog attended. The dog bit my friend on the leg...badly. She sent me a photo of the wound. The friend's family talked her out of seeing a doctor. The grandkids spilled the beans and told my friend the dog bit two other people in the past.

My friend called me to ask what to do. I said "See a doctor right away." She replied that she will lose her friend because California law requires that doctors must report dog bites. She fears that her bite will put the dog down. I said that this dog is a danger, especially to the grandchildren, who are little. My friend takes a biologic, which increases her susceptibility to infection. I don't think this is a dilemma at all. Opinions are welcome.

Lucky Charm · ‎03-09-2010

I agree with you.

I didn't even have to think about this.

Biting dogs need to be addressed. I agree about that, too.

I assume the other two people were convinced to not go to a doctor, also.

So it would appear that this dog would just be investigated for the one bite. Your friend that got bitten.

Her friend is putting the dog's safety above your friends.

Not right!

Desertdi · ‎03-13-2010

Your friend could say a STRAY dog bit her.........

♥Surface of the Sun♥

OCG · ‎02-26-2021

I agree with you 100%. Your friend must see a doctor. Your friend said she will lose her friend if she does, but it's more important to lose a friend than to lose her life to a serious infection. While I doubt the dog has rabies, if it were me, I'd want the dog tested for that too. Good luck to your friend.

Janey2 · ‎06-07-2010

why is this even a dilemma? Tell her to see a doctor immediately. These are not friends if they are telling her to put her life on the line.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@Vivian I don't see it as a dilemma. I see it as a choice to consult a doctor or risk a big infection. And only your friend can decide that.

But that's just me.

We could discuss the definition of friendship maybe. . .

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

I think many places have a law that if a dog bites someone and you go to a hospital or doctor, the bite has to be reported. That aside, your friend should go to the hospital or her doctor and have that looked into. The last thing she wants is for that wound to get infected.

The owner of the dog at the very least, needed better training of that dog. And she should have been more aware of her dog's personality and put the dog in another room or crate while people were there. I feel sorry for the dog because this friend seems clueless.

tiny 2 · ‎03-10-2010

@Vivian wrote:
I have a dear friend who lives on the other side of the country. For forty years we have remained very close, visiting occasionally but staying in touch every day. Last night she called with what she said was a dilemma. Here it is:

She has a close friend who lives in her town. They hike together, go out together (my friend is divorced and her friend is a widow), and have turned to each other for help. Two nights ago, my friend went to a family dinner at her friend's home. Kids, grandkids, and granddog attended. The dog bit my friend on the leg...badly. She sent me a photo of the wound. The friend's family talked her out of seeing a doctor. The grandkids spilled the beans and told my friend the dog bit two other people in the past.

My friend called me to ask what to do. I said "See a doctor right away." She replied that she will lose her friend because California law requires that doctors must report dog bites. She fears that her bite will put the dog down. I said that this dog is a danger, especially to the grandchildren, who are little. My friend takes a biologic, which increases her susceptibility to infection. I don't think this is a dilemma at all. Opinions are welcome.

@Vivian

She should have seen a doctor right away. I am also on a biologic. This is a very dangerous situation. It is better to give up the friendship than a leg.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

I was recently bitten by one of my dogs while breaking up fighting between them.

I didn't go to receive medical care right away, but the next day, I noticed infection setting in. I had two deep puncture wounds on my left hand.

I received antibiotic pills and a tetanus shot. I left the walk-in clinic about 7:30 pm and by the next morning at 10:00 am someone called me from the county. They had already called my Vet to see if my dog was up to date on the rabies vaccine (she was) and they advised me to quarantine my dog for 10 days at home.

If the rabies vaccine was not current, they would have taken custody of my dog and quarantined her for 10 days at my expense.

You have no choice, but to report it if you have been bitten and need medical care. If you say you do not know the dog that bit you..stray dog, YOU WILL be started on the rabies shots, so you have to tell the truth... no one wants that headache and pain.

I don't see a problem at all. Your friend needs to see a doctor....and quickly. The dogs owner sounds irresponsible in every way imaginable. Normally, the dog would not be put down, but the owner given a warning and they would have to keep the dog away from people.

Who keeps a dog that bites around children and takes it to family functions?

and....has the dog had it's rabies vaccination?

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

I question the judgement of both the owner and the woman who was bitten. Both are making it quite possible one more person will suffer a bite from that dog - and if not this time, the time will come when that animal will do serious damage.

I would see a doctor, report the animal honestly, and know I had taken the responsible action.