My dog was attacked this a.m....

delfin

delfin

Cathlete
... and I'm so ticked off. The owner is another mom at our kids' school, and she knows that her dog hates one of mine (also hates other dogs I'm told). Anyway, she let the dog wander OFF Leash right near our house, just as I was walking my DD and the dogs to school this a.m. So of course, her dog sees us and starts attacking my dog, clearly meaning to fight to the death. My dog tried to defend herself, and I tried to stick my DD's backpack inbetween them. Meanwhile my little pom is trying to help my other dog. It was surreal. Finally the owner got her dog on leash. She says, "I'm sorry," but I was in such a state of shock, I just walked away. My husband is livid, and wants to report the incident, but since she's a neighbor, etc. I don't want to do that. On the other hand, I don't want this to happen again. Any suggestions?
 
Wow, that's awful. I've never had this experience so I don't have much advice. If you decide that you don't want to report this incident maybe you could have a conversation with your neighbor and let her know that if this EVER happens again, you will absolutely report it. What a terrifying experience. ((((HUGS)))))

Allison
 
Report it...that is my advice. If you want to tell her before hand (because she is a neighbor) then do so. This is a sore subject with me because I live in redneckville where NOBODY except my husband and I keep our animals leashed. Encountering unleashed animals is a daily occurence in our town. Thank goodness that my dogs are large and generally are ominous looking so a fight has never ensued (knock on wood). I feel sympathy for the animals not the owners. The owners are responsible to ensure that a leash is used and that their animals are protected. I would be horrified if my dogs were running loose...
HTH
 
How awful,I agree-maybe talking to your neighbor would help. Dogs that have a tendency to fight other dogs shouldn't be let off the leash anyway..IMO
 
We have leash laws where I live and nothing angers me more than these people who let their dogs off leash!! I say report her! If you don't it could happen again and you might not be so lucky the next time. She might not be either -- her dog could just as easily be killed or maimed. ;)
 
wow, can I ever feel your pain!
we have idiots living next door to us (really, you can't believe how not smart some people are). long story short, since they moved here 7 yrs ago, they've had a rotweiller, 2 pit bulls, a pb mix . .. . .see the recurring theme?? NOTE: It's not the breed, but the owners who are responsible for these dogs having bad reputations.
We put up a fence to keep their menacing dogs out of our yard. I'd try to walk my dog on a leash, and their rotti would run into our driveway to menace our dog (drooling, stare down, etc) until we'd go back into our house. I'd phone them and they were just like 'oh, sorry, it won't happen again' but it always did.
their house is notorious for those dogs. runners and walkers have altered their routes, school bus stops have been changed so kids wouldn't have to stand/pass there etc. lots of complaining, but nothing on paper.
one day, my teenagers are leaving for school. my border collie runs into the garage w/ them, (door was open) and their pit bull was there. chewed her up, requiring stitches, pain meds etc. At that point I had had it.
Called animal control, who spoke w/ them. Promised a fence, this will never happen again etc. 2 wks later, no fence and their dog was seen wandering the roads. I filed a 'dangerous dog' complaint and took them to court.
The judge took one look at that dog muzzled, w/ a pronged collar pulling the owner around and saw my problem. He agreed and now, if that dog is ever, even for a second, seen unleashed/unfenced, one call to animal control gets him picked up and euthanized, no questions asked.
2 days later they put up a fence and I've never had another problem. No, they didn't pay my vet bills (they told the judge they would).
I have a dog who's skittish and I think could be a fear biter. We've done lots of training etc. to build her confidence, desensitize her etc. to no avail. She's sweet w/ us, but not trustworthy w/ others. When people come over, she's confined. If, by some freakish circumstance, she were to bite someone, I'd have her euthanized.
Your neighbor, like mine, is being irresponsible. People like that, in my experience, won't do the right thing by themselves, unfortunately, so you just might have to see animal control. Good luck.
Valerie
 
Did either of your dogs get hurt and require veterinary attention? If so, I'd send her the bill. A monetary loss (or the threat of it) can sometimes help the point across a little better.
 
I would definitely talk to her. We have 2 Doxies and there are 2 pit bulls living the next street over. I see them with their owners out walking (on leashes thankfully) but wonder what would/could happen if they ever got loose. I would put myself in the way before I let anything hurt one of my animals. People should take responsibility.

Kim
 
Report her now. If she has a dog aggressive dog who is allowed to roam free, it's simply a matter of time before the dog kills or severely maims another dog - or a human trying to stop the fight. I would feel far worse if something happened that I could have prevented, then I would about annoying or ticking off a neighbor. Call Animal Control and report the attack. There is absolutely no excuse for allowing a dog aggressive dog off leash around other dogs. None.

Edited to add that I doubt that talking to her would do any good - although you can try - if she already knows her dog is dog aggressive and still lets him off leash, she's not going to listen.

And dog fights are surreal. A Jindo (Korean dog) attacked my Aussie in the middle of a training class (did not go back to that class). It happened so fast and with no warning (Jindos are silent attackers - and were bred to attack without warning). Fortunately we managed to seperate them before any damage happened, but I was terrified that my Aussie would be afraid of other dogs - fortunately he's not.
 
Christine,

I agree with what you wrote, however I think ALL dogs, aggressive or not, should be leashed. I think it is inconsiderate and dangerous to allow a dog to roam free. Neither of my doggies are aggressive but I will not allow them to roam for fear that they will be shot (we live in the country) or run over. It breaks my heart to see any dog off the leash and roaming. A pet owner should take the responsibility seriously. Know what I mean?
 
I absolutely do not think dogs should be free and roaming ever. However, it doesn't sound like this dog is free and roaming - but that the dog is off leash with his owner near by. A lot of state laws state that a dog can be off leash if they are under verbal command. This dog was obviously not under verbal command and is known to be dog agressive - I think animal control needs to be contacted in a situation like this. For a loose dog who is non-threatening, I would first attempt to speak to the owner.
 
Most definitely report it. You have to get this stuff on record. God forbid something serious happen, whether it's to you or to someone you've never met. Here in NJ our laws require that a dog be put down after 2 bites. Much as I hate to see any animal put down, when it comes to the safety of children & other animals sometimes it has to be.

Re. the leash laws, a little o/t, my cousin has a 140 lb rottweiler. Sweetest, most well-trained dog in the world, but it makes me NUTS when she walks that monster w/o a leash! He wouldn't hurt a fly, but other people don't know that. Personally I'd poo in my pants if I encountered Jet off-leash without knowing him.

When we have pets we have to think of how they affect the world around them, just like we should w/children. That's why not only do I think you should report it, I think it's your responsibility. I hope this doesn't come off as bossy or offensive, but I just know you'd feel terrible if this dog hurt someone & you hadn't reported its past behavior. Just my 2 cents. :)
 
I would report it. If she is not responsible enough to either keep her dog enclosed/inside, etc. or on a leash, I would report it and not risk my safety or my dog's again. I have a low tolerance for stuff like that tho.

Colleen
 
Mace doesn't stop a lot of dogs if they are hell bent on attacking. And then you risk getting your dog maced in the process also.

Colleen
 
That is just aweful!! she should know better than to keep her dog OFF a leash knowhing how her dog is around other dogs, this dog poses a risk to other peoples pets, I would be livid if it had happened to me,
 
Well, I called my neighbor, and left a message "suggesting" she keep her dog on leash from now on, and I also gave my phone #. We'll see if she gets back to me or not. My DH says I'm too nice, but I always try to give people the benefit of the doubt. A friend of mine who knows this woman says she's never had a dog before... so maybe she didn't realize that it would actually attack. If I see that dog off leash again, though, I will report her. Thanks everyone for your feedback... it was a very upsetting experience. I'm just so glad the dog didn't turn on my little pom, who would have no way of defending himself.
 
>Well, I called my neighbor, and left a message "suggesting"
>she keep her dog on leash from now on, and I also gave my
>phone #. We'll see if she gets back to me or not. My DH says
>I'm too nice, but I always try to give people the benefit of
>the doubt. A friend of mine who knows this woman says she's
>never had a dog before... so maybe she didn't realize that it
>would actually attack. If I see that dog off leash again,
>though, I will report her. Thanks everyone for your
>feedback... it was a very upsetting experience. I'm just so
>glad the dog didn't turn on my little pom, who would have no
>way of defending himself.


I was just thinking about you and wondered how this was resolved. Did your neighbor ever return your call?
Valerie
 
Just logged on and saw this... thanks for thinking about me. No, my neighbor never returned my call. A friend of mine says that my neighbor is probably embarrassed, and that's why she didn't call me back. But I can't say it makes me feel very good.
 
Okay, maybe I'm a bit of a beyotch in these situations, but not only would I report it, but I'd go to small claims court if need be and force the dog owner pay for my vet bills (if you have any). That dog could end up hurting your child. What if the child had tried to help the dog...know what i mean?

There's no excuse for this - especially since it appears to have happened before.

I understand the desire not to stir up something with a neighbor, but she should be thinking the exact same thing...if I had a dog and it hurt someone else's animal I'd offer to pay the bills on it. I think that's the least they could do.

Grrrrr!
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