Very upset - my dog accused of biting an elderly man

[withm]

... I had her on a short leash, but an elderly man who walks with a severe stoop (and thus does not really see where he's going as he watches his feet when he walks) walked right towards us in the garbage drop-off area. I got as far away from him as I could, but due to a line of recycling bins to my left, was limited in how far I could get away. He walked close enough to us that my dog, who is extremely friendly (overly so at times), jumped up on him.

I don't understand why when you saw the elderly man approaching, and you admittedly took steps to move away, why did you not tighten up on your leash so your friendly dog could not get access to him? Really, put yourself in the position of that "elderly man who walks with a severe stoop (and thus does not really see where he's going as he watches his feet when he walks)." Clearly he is unsteady without canine intervention; how can he possibly react any other way but to cry "foul" when a strange dog comes out of nowhere and starts jumping on him?

He is very lucky not to have been seriously injured.

Consider this a lesson learned and count your blessings that he is not in the hospital as a result.

[PamNY]

Clearly he is unsteady without canine intervention; how can he possibly react any other way but to cry "foul" when a strange dog comes out of nowhere and starts jumping on him?

Crying "foul" is not the same thing as making a false report. That is the issue here.

Perhaps he does have a legitimate basis for complaint, or thinks he does; in that case, a letter to building management would be the proper course (if I understand the situation correctly).

We had a very serious dog problem in my building (much worse than this one), and I took immediate steps to handle it. I would not have even considered lying, however.