Husky bit Colorado woman's face and handler fled, video shows. Victim needed surgery.

[djg21]

43. It's up to the owner to say "no

If you own a dog, you’re responsible. That is the simple truth. My Golden Retrievers might at best slobber someone to death and expect attention from everyone they come into contact with. But I still expect people not to approach without asking for permission, and I get very frustrated when people take it upon themselves to approach my dogs, and even worse, invite my dogs to jump up. I know these people have good intentions, but I strive to train my dogs and want to control their interactions with other people and other animals. All I need is to have one of my 65lb dogs knock over a senior citizen, or go to take a toy from a young child and inadvertently bite the child’s hand. Neither of my dogs intentionally would hurt a fly (though my 1 year old puppy chases after butterflies). But it still would be my fault if they somehow hurt someone. They are my dogs and I am responsible for them.

The dog owner in the video should be arrested. It was not the dog’s fault. The dog was being a dog, and Huskies can be territorial and protective to the point of being aggressive. Something clearly spooked the dog. Maybe a sound the woman was making before she was bitten? It’s unclear from the video. But the women seemingly was in a place of public accommodation. The dog owner should not have had her dog there if she couldn’t control it, and the dog should not have been off-leash or allowed to interact with unknown people without supervision.

If the dog owner stayed at the scene, she likely would have been civilly liable for medical expenses and damages, if any. By leaving the scene, the dog owner likely committed a crime. She should be prosecuted. She should never be allowed to own a companion animal again.