Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

The animal cannot but put down immediately because human rights or something like that. Albeit, the animal can be trained to put a leash or a muzzle to a dog which get nervous in public :D

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

I had a Tetanus shot at 15 and had to go home from my job in a library stacking shelves (I would have been ok except I was paired paired with the little person that shift and neither of us could stack the top two shelves). When I had my booster at 25 I couldn’t raise my arm for three days, when I told them in the UK at 35 about my issues at 15 and 25 they said 5-for-life was the rule so I should not need another, and they did not give me one.

When I was bitten by my (indoor) cat when aged 43, the Swiss doctor gave me a tetanus booster anyway. I had no arm lifting issues with that one.

So, I have lots of thoughts, but no help.

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

And what if the dog had been a tiger? Also have a read on Swiss damages laws.

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

While I understand what you mean with "many dog owners say this", there is always a first.... Reading how apologetic the owner was and how he/she handled the situation, I tend towards believing his/her dog had never done it before. The owners of a dog that caused the issue who walk/run away or start arguing are the problem and most definitely not believable.

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

Just to update, the owner has immediately visited, discussed and is implementing a program with a trainer.

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

So you won't report it to the authorities for them to judge if the dog is safe or not and are instead taking the owners word for it.

There is still a risk attached to taking someones word as gospel. Will the OP ask for evidence of the training? Will the OP monitor the dog in future so that if another bite incident happens the authorities actually know this history? No, of course not.

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

While perhaps this isn't logical, I still haven't fully arrived at being a peace with the decision of not getting the series of rabies jabs. The risk seems virtually non-existent. I don't really want to be traipsing in and out of doctors offices right now with multiple visits during possible third wave covid. At the same time, my mind seems to have latched onto what I've heard about how rabies is a certain, brutal, death and 100% preventable.

Apparently, if the dog doesn't die within 10 days of the bite then it didn't have rabies and one can get the jabs a little later but it's much much better to start getting them straight away.

Yes, all these are questions for a second opinion from professionals but these professionals are busy and often you only get a short time with them. Sometimes I like thinking out loud, hearing what other's have to say and then go to the professionals with my leap to a more intelligent question.

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

So a dog without a leash and bite guard (which I can safely say it's almost always the case I encounter a dog while riding a bicycle myself), owned by someone that's ultimately the real person at fault, bites someone in an area where there are many people passing by, and no one bats an eye ... but if you dispose of garbage in the window of time it's illegal, it's the end of the world.

I really don't understand how this can be normal in any society.

@OP sorry but by not doing anything about it, no complaint and no rabies shot because you are relying on a stranger's successful downplaying of the situation (person which was irresponsible enough to get you in this situation in the first place), you are ensuring this stays the norm.

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

Unfortunately, many people take the route of least perceived stress/conflict and that often involves not reporting it to the authorities and instead trusting in the good nature of the naturally 'very, very sorry, he's never done this before' owners.

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

Well, I sincerely appreciate everyone's help. It has been a ginormous help. The owner has been excellent at immediately proactively sending me information, records, proof of whatever has been needed before I even asked.

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

Interesting article on how dog bites have risen in Britain due to increased dog ownership resulting from the pandemic...

Dog-bite Britain: the problem with the pandemic puppy explosion https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...uppy-explosion

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

This is jumping to a conclusion.

For example, posting things on EF is not usually "taking the route of least preceived stress/conflict."

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

Although strange to ask "the internet", since all of you have been a big help, doesn't hurt to ask ....... Does anyone have any thoughts or info that could get me mentally over the rabies-thinking-hurdle I detail above?

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

Makeabigwish, it sounds like you and the dog owner are handling this appropriately.

A fair amount of misinformation has been posted on this thread. Speculation and an incorrect information are not helpful to the OP, nor to anyone else seeking to understand how to handle a similar situation.

To those concerned about reporting and consequences: The doctor is a mandatory reporter, one should assume a report has been made regardless of what the OP decides to do. After a report has been made, how the matter is handled is out of the OP's hands. The Veterinäramt, or their delegates, take over. The OP and owner can make a private agreement, but only the authorities can order measures taken.

Makeabigwish, if at any time you are uncertain what to do, contact the ZH Veterinäramt wrt legal or procedural questions, contact your doctor with medical questions.

Again, I wish you a full and speedy recovery.

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

At the outset, I have to commend you for your magnanimous approach and your sang-froid. In a world where outrage and retribution seem to be the principal reaction to most events like this, you are a breath of fresh air.
As a father whose kid had to have rabies injection when he was six and the is it required or not dilemma we had to wrestle with then, I fully understand your predicament.
It does seem that Switzerland has been free of terrestrial rabies for several years now and you are facing a tending towards zero risk. I still think it may be advisable to call up the Swiss Rabies Center (https://www.ivi.unibe.ch/services/di...index_eng.html ) - their website seems to indicate that they are ok dealing with enquiries from the general public.
Wish you a speedy recovery. May your tribe increase.

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

Thanks for your post and encouragement. Feels great that someone thinks I might be part of a less irate (but still responsible) way of doing things in the current era. And I learned a new word! :) (sang-froid)

Yes, calling them sounds like excellent advice. I would have never thought of this or known where to start. Big thanks for the info.

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

Its perfectly natural to fear the future and the consequences, pain, agitation, fatigue, loss of appetite, and all round confusion. But babies are natural.

I've no idea about rabies though.

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

I don't think one has to be full of "outrage" and "retribution" to report a potentially dangerous dog that attacked them or to be angry that it happened. It's a frightening experience for many people and can result in lifelong phobias not to mention injuries, which is why it should not be tolerated in dogs that are in public areas.

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

are you scared of dogs or have you been bitten?

the OP has first hand experience of what happened before, during and after the incident. Treatment of the injury has been done. The owner is still in contact with the OP to right the wrong. On face value, it seems to be an isolated incident.

I'd leave it at that. These things can happen, we know 10% of one side of the story so should not get antsy about it.

Re: Dog Bite in Zurich / Legal and Rabies Shots Advice ?
 

I am not scared of dogs in general but I was bitten badly when I was younger and throughout my lifetime have known quite a few people who also were, young and old. Therefore I am always wary of unknown uneashed dogs and I do not assume they are fluffy and friendly until I see evidence of that. It's not such a rarity for dog bites to happen and it often seems to be a standard answer from owners that: "Oh but he's a lovely boy and normally never does anything like that".

If an unleashed dog actively chases a person on a bike and bites them badly enough to rip clothing and draw blood then all of the controls that should be put in place to protect people in public areas have already failed.