[iodigmaFemZem]

Ok so I was a little bit late on the Gas bill (who isn't late on bills sometimes..) and the Gas guy jumps over my fence even though he KNEW both dogs were back there (beware of dog sign/crazy barking). My dogs did not bite him but they were barking at him and going up to him and he sprayed both of them with mace and kicked both of them several times!! I saw all of it happen and he threatened to spray me as well and I told him "You can't hop the fence like that" and he told me and excuse the cussing but "I can do whatever the fuck I want". This guy was HIGHLY unprofessional!! One of these dogs are only 10 months old (my male) and the other is pregnant! He sprayed a pregnant dog....

What Legal action can I take? Both my dogs eyes are completely shut and I've been hosing them down for 20 minutes now. I'm in tears to see them this way...

[derinasderun]

Did you get the guy's ID and employee number? Did you call the gas company?

[Oriesssedleli419]

Call the gas company and report the guy. Take pictures now of your dog's condition. Go to the police station and also file a complaint. Please call your vet and let the vet give you advice on how to treat.

[asharbiq]

I'd call the vet for advice on that.

I'd also call the company and rip them a new one. Maybe call the police and animal control and ask what actions you can take against the guy--did you get his name?

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

Did the guy attempt to make contact with you and have you provide him with safe access to the meter?

[Pznrrmaf]

Call your gas company NOW and report what he did and what he said. Then call your vet and find out the best course of action to take with your dogs. There shouldn't be any long term damage, it just hurts like hell.

[iodigmaFemZem]

Did the guy attempt to make contact with you and have you provide him with safe access to the meter?

I never heard a knock. All of a sudden I hear my dogs barking like crazy and go into my backyard and he's there...

Even so jumping a fence with dogs barking is ridiculous!!

[doogiehoussi]

Lemme guess...he was there to shut it off? If so, I assume they tried to contact you to collect payment (via phone)?

[iodigmaFemZem]

I've just learned that he tried to get in the front door (turned the door knob over and over) My mother told me this. She said she thought someone was breaking in.

So he thinks he can walk right into someone's house huh??

[Pznrrmaf]

Have you called the gas company yet? If not, get off the computer and do it NOW.

[Repwailia]

if it happened to me, i would call the gas company. i agree with everyone's advice.

[Arximedus]

Do what Michele said to do. If you don't have a camera, use your camera phone. Get pictures as soon as you can. Call the gas company and maybe have your mom call your vet regarding treatment of the dogs, ASAP!

[doogiehoussi]

Ummm...just so everyone is on the same page:

He likely had every right to be in the backyard if he was there to shut off the OP's gas...

And...

If he had a right to be there, he had a right to defend himself against a perceived threat...

So...he may have been out of line (language, etc.), but at the same time, well within his rights...

That said, he certainly had no right to attempt to enter your home...

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

If that is the case I would contact the police to file a report for animal cruelty. I would also contact the gas company.

---------- Post added at 04:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:35 PM ----------

Ummm...just so everyone is on the same page:

He likely had every right to be in the backyard if he was there to shut off the OP's gas...

And...

If he had a right to be there, he had a right to defend himself against a perceived threat...

So...he may have been out of line (language, etc.), but at the same time, well within his rights...

That said, he certainly had no right to attempt to enter your home...

I would disagree. If the homeowner refuses to secure the animals then the authorities (animal control) should be contacted.

[iodigmaFemZem]

I called the Cops and explained everything to them. They said that is unacceptable and gave me a case number. Right when that happened my dad got here and he's now going down to the Gas company with the case number to file a complaint. I'm staying here to make sure my dogs are ok.. My male won't even go into the backyard because of how scared he is.

To the person defending the Gas Company, it is ok to jump a fence when BOTH dogs are right there BARKING AT the fence? He jumped right into them. Then he kicked them several time and sprayed both of them with mace... I saw everything threw the bathroom window and then ran out there. He threatened to spray me if I come within 10 feet of him when I was just checking on my dogs.

The Cops disagree with you on this one. This guy is gonna get fired.

[Oriesssedleli419]

Take pictures of the dogs. Call your vet.

[Repwailia]

yes please take pictures of your dogs and call your vet.

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

You can believe that if I looked out my window and saw a stranger in my back yard, kicking my dog none the less, I would be outside in a heart beat exercising my second amendment right. It sounds like he made not attempt to identify himself so in my eyes he would be treated as an intruder.

[prehighaltitudesjj]

We have Con-Edison (electric) and they do some stupid stuff time to time (NYC)but never heard of them jumping the fence even if they are there to cut the gas off.

They usually will come during normal business hours or come back...over and over again.

That's ignorant and dangerous to jump over the fence into private property,the homeowner would be justified in thinking this jackass was
an intruder.....lucky one is preggy and the other one a puppy.

Mace would not have protected him if the dog had considered him an "intruder"(justified bite on the ass).....or the home owner had a shotgun.....

"Beware of Dog" sign might have to be replaced with "Security Dog on Premises"

[primaveraloler]

Well you're getting plenty of advice on the gas company, now I just gotta ask, your 10 month old male isn't the sire of the puppies your female is carrying, is he?


Good luck with this!