Integrity
Matters
July 9, 2003
Dog
owner should help victim of canine bite
Question: (E-056)
Dear
Jim:
A
neighbor's dog bit a friend of mine -- and this dog has
been a nuisance in the neighborhood for some time. She
asked the neighbor for reimbursement of her medical costs,
but the neighbor is dragging her feet and won't give a
straight answer. I know you are not an attorney, but what
is the ethical discussion of this episode? It sure seems
to me that this dog should be put down and the medical
costs reimbursed with a sincere apology, but perhaps I'm
over-reacting.
Response:
This
situation might need to be addressed by lawyers and judges.
However, despite our lack of legal training, our integrity-centered
leadership criteria can be applied to this situation.
After all, as human beings who must share space with one
another, sometimes in very tight spaces, it is important
that we maintain a social climate where we can live together
peacefully and cooperatively.
Next-door
neighbors certainly fall within the category of those
with whom we should strive to live in harmony. Respecting
a neighbor's privacy, while remaining alert to potential
safety threats for one another, can strengthen relationships
and a neighborhood. Allowing an isolated dog-biting incident
to escalate into a legal confrontation could be compared
to "pole vaulting over a molehill" - and when individuals
do over-react or under-react, the financial damages can
be staggering.
Hopefully,
those parties involved in this incident will choose the
following integrity-centered actions:
Readers
of this column will be reminded that unless we regulate
our behaviors, including those related to neighborliness,
there could be a need for an intervention by our government's
justice system, which in this dog-biting situation, could
include:
