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

The strange thing is that this recent experience got rid of my own dog phobia.

When I was seven years old, I was pounced on, knocked to the ground and nearly-mauled by a German Shepherd. I wasn't hurt but I can still see his snarling teeth in my face towering over me in my mind. The owner, a little old lady, quietly stood at a distance saying "no, no, shep .... down shep" in a very quiet, "old lady with pearls", very ineffectual kind of way while the dog continued to aggressively wrestle with me. If it wasn't actually a real and scary serious experience, it could almost have been a humorous Saturday Night Live skit.

Since then I have always had an overly heightened fear of dogs and kept a greater distance, even from friends' dogs.

This time I actually had the experience of being hurt by one and now I don't feel that kind of fear any more. Of course, my injuries could be incredibly worse, it could have been scarier and I am not having this experience as a seven year old but I don't have that overly-phobic kind of feeling any more but more of "if I get hurt by a dog, I will be able to handle it" feeling. Nice to have this shift.

This is just my personal current experience. I am not diminishing the feelings, experiences or possible future experiences of others.

Not saying this as an argument for or against anything .... just interesting to share ....

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

Since I wrote before OP explained that owner is fully cooperative, my advice was if OP decides to go through against their insurance route, to not do it alone. Since 'the other insurance' will do everything to not pay out.

I'm a bit baffled why it happened at all, since I thought that dog training was mandatory in CH? Or it is something new and work in progress?

@makeabigwish
About your rabies concerns, I think doc would give you a shot if they deemed there's a remote chance of you getting the rabies.
I mean, one shot is less expensive than urgent treatment and other consequences.
Unless the doc was a complete reckless idiot (which you would notice by other things anyway, and you didn't seem to be under such impression), I'd probably find my peace in their calm behaviour.

Also, if that dog was imported in the CH, it'd had to get anti rabies shot in order to enter the country. If that helps a bit :)

And if you contact the rabies center, please share the information you get :)

I wish you speedy recovery :)

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

Strange hey, I was bitten by a dog when I was 3 years old and still have the scars on my face to show for it - but I've never been scared of dogs, quite the opposite I like them much more than humans :rolleyes:

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

Thanks. Yes, all this thinking helps and makes sense.

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

I applaud the OP of managing to resolve this together with the dog owner without needing to resort to lawyers, adminstration, insurers, etc.

For everyone else:
- here a brochure on Zurich Dog Law (https://www.buelach.ch/fileadmin/fil...er2016_def.pdf, albeit dated 2016)
- here a link to the website of the Zurich veterinary authority dealing with confrontations with dogs (https://www.zh.ch/de/umwelt-tiere/ti...html#119088133)