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Living with a 'Dangerous Dog'
In the front window of Jennifer and Kevin Packard's Ashburn Village home hangs a sign that reads, "Dangerous Dog."Inside is 7-year-old Cody, a 60-pound black Labrador mix with a few gray hairs.
"She's a sweet, gentle, calm dog," Jennifer said.
But, in February, Cody had what Jennifer describes as a "bad day."
Cody was off the leash outside the Packard's house when a female neighbor, who is afraid of dogs, saw her and ran, Jennifer said. Cody chased after her.
"She grabbed, and when she let go, her teeth scraped her skin," Jennifer said.
The dog nipped the woman in the shin, leaving a bruise. It was the first time Cody had done anything like that, her owners said.
In Ashburn Village, dogs are required to be carried or on a leash at all times in a common area, according to community rules.
Cody didn't draw blood, but the neighbor received treatment at an emergency room.
Afterward, the Loudoun County Health Department and Animal Care and Control was called, as is standard procedure for a dog bite, said Laura Danis, spokeswoman for Animal Care and Control.
As a result of the incident, Cody was placed on Virginia's newly formed Dangerous Dog Registry, which launched July 1.
So far she is the only dog listed from Loudoun County, but the online registry, www.vdacs.virginia.gov/animals/dogs.shtml, has been populated with only nine dogs thus far.
Danis said about 80 dogs from Loudoun will be included on the registry in the coming weeks.
Each entry includes the name and a description of the dog, including two photos. It also lists the owner's name and address.
Counties in Florida and New York have also created Dangerous Dog Registries like the one in Virginia, and Hawaii legislators are considering one.
Under Virginia law, the dogs deemed as dangerous must wear a special dog tag and a bright orange collar.
Each family must display a "Dangerous Dog" sign at their home and must buy a $100,000 liability insurance policy on the dog.
The Packards said they already had the insurance policy for Cody through their homeowner's insurance; the policy had been recommended since they owned a dog.
The new law states that the "Dangerous Dog" designation remains in effect until the death of the dog.
While the couple said they support the idea behind the registry, they said they also feel targeted.
"I just feel like we're being made the criminal," Jennifer said. "There are some dogs that are really mean, and [Cody] isn't one of them."
The Packards say they believe Cody was trying to protect Kevin at the time of the incident.
Kevin, who was diagnosed with leukemia a few years ago, had just returned from a 65-day hospital stay two days before the incident.
Kevin and Cody have always been close. He said he rescued her after she had been abused when she was about 6 months old.
"She doesn't understand why he leaves for the hospital," Jennifer said.
After the bite, Cody was quarantined for 10 days.
She also received a microchip so if another incident were to occur, Animal Care and Control could be sure it was the same dog.
"When something like this happens, the owner should take responsibility, but this database puts a big 'X' over our house," Jennifer said. "It makes people afraid to get near her. There should be some kind of second chance."
Contact the reporter at ecoe@timespapers.com
With those puppy-dog eyes, how could she ever be a menace. Me thinks we are over-governing again.
Posted by jesse
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The dog bites one person and is put on the dangerous dog registry?
Posted by annmarie0613
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Sounds to me like a few people are over reacting. A trip to the emergency for a minor scrape. I'll bet the next stop is a lawyers office.
I think the victim needs therapy, more than the dog needs a false label.
Posted by Greg
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Over the years I have been "nipped" several times by various neighbors' dogs. Each time it was MY fault. These incidents almost always stem from the dog misinterpreting a human's actions. The lesson here should be: if you are afraid of dogs, don't run or scream or wave your arms about wildly. Perhaps the Packard's should post a copy of the dog's picture in their window along with the sign so that visitors can see just how 'dangerous' the dog is. On the plus side, I bet they aren't bothered by solicitors.
Posted by Leigh
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