Tenant's dog bit me on the leg

[Steve Graves]

I went over to one of my tenant's unit at a 4plex  I own in Kern County, CA yesterday. When I knocked on the door the tenant tried to not let one of her dogs out. It squeezed between her and the door and immediately bit me on the lower leg, drawing blood and puncture wound. Besides the medical end of the situation, which I took care of immediately with antibiotics, have any of you experienced this situation?

I am very interested in hearing what you had to do. I told her she needs to remove the dog from the premises because I don't want him biting any of my other tenants in the other units. I'm currently looking for a notice I can deliver to officially tell her the dog needs to be removed from the premises. 

My lease contract I use says I need to give 30 day notice to have the dog removed but I feel it needs to be done immediately. Unfortunately the lease doesn't mention vicious pets.

From now on I'll be adding an addendum to my lease contracts pertaining to a problem pet.

Appreciate any info, thank you.

[Gail K.]

Often dog bites need to be reported to the local Animal Control (if you had gone to the ER with that bite they would have contacted Animal Control who would have, at the very least, confirmed the dogs' rabies vaccination was up to date or confined the dog at the owners expense until blood work for rabies status was confirmed). 

Animal Control may be able to help with the notice to remove the dog.

And yes, contact your local police to discuss this issue as well.

Gail