Nicola O Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 (edited) Don't usually post much but I am SO ANGRY I need to vent. Just been on a lovely evening walk with my three small dogs - all on leads. Went to pass a young man with staffie so moved off the path onto a large grass area to avoid them only to see that staffie is NOT ON LEAD, runs straight up to mine ad sets on Feda. Cue lots of dog fighting noise, me screaming at and kicking staffie to get it off. Does man come over to get his dog off - does he heck (that's the polite word), just stands there until the dog has run off a few feet then goes to get her, saying 'sorry, she's never done that before, I'm just as surprised as you'. I'm not surprised mate, I'M ANGRY. Freda does not seem to be bitten but is a bit battered as she was knocked off her feet a few times and trampled on - but she is 16 yrs old and arthritic and now limping. The only 'good' thing (if you can call it that) is that it happened right outside his house, so if she needs the vet, I know where the bill is going. Sorry for the long post, rant over. Edited April 15, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 How horrible . Poor Freda, I have an elderly, arthritic dog too so can understand what a worry that is . Thank goodness she hasn't got any wounds (and that you know where he lives ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 Oh how awful, I can completely understand why you are so angry. Did this happen on a pavement? It sounds like it did. If so I'd have a word with your dog warden who might go around and remind him that his dog needs to be on lead by a road. It might just focus his mind? Extra treats and cuddles for Freda tonight I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola O Posted April 14, 2014 Author Share Posted April 14, 2014 I've calmed down a bit now. Checked her over again and found a cut on her shoulder. I think I'll put a bit germalene (spl?) on it as it does seem to be a shallow cut rather than a bite/puncture, and I'll keep a very close eye on her (obviously), she gets very stressed at the vets so don't really want to take her in unless she really needs it. She's had some dinner (pinched some of the cats wet food as she normally has dry) isn't limping as bad now, but has curled up in the corner of the room looking very sorry for herself and does growl at my other two if they come near her - can't blame her though, she probably just wants to be left alone now. . Did this happen on a pavement? It sounds like it did. If so I'd have a word with your dog warden who might go around and remind him that his dog needs to be on lead by a road. It might just focus his mind? Extra treats and cuddles for Freda tonight I think. His house is on a walkway with path/pavement in front, but turn the corner and your on a road, though a quiet one. But over the other side of the grass 'field' in front of his house there is a duel carriageway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 I think it sounds like a word with the dog warden might be a good idea. Poor Freda, it sounds like she is a bit sore. It won't have helped her arthritic joints Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 That is my worse nightmare with Neela. I have had a few close shaves with her when she was younger, thankfully nothing went to far. Poor Freda I hope she will start to feel a bit more herself soon. A lady of her young years shouldn't have to deal with teenage dogs like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 How's Freda this morning? And you? Hope you're both much recovered Totally understand your anger. We seem to encounter a lots of dogs not on leads and, whilst the individual mutt may be friendly, our dogs have been attacked so often, Herbie no longer waits to find out. What is it with people not keeping their dogs on leads in public places ? It doesn't matter that it's never attacked another dog before, it's done it now! Perhaps a note through the owner's door letting him know that, on this occasion, Freda seems to be ok and there won't be a large vets bill coming his way, but you expect him to control his dog in future (and a chat with the dog warden - this may not be the first time). Lots of ((hugs)) to you all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Definitely a chat with the dog warden or police, the next time the dog attacks it could be a child or elderly person walking their dog. Irresponsible dog owners make me so angry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola O Posted April 15, 2014 Author Share Posted April 15, 2014 Thank you for your kind words, I've told Freda you are asking after her . Last night she was limping on both back legs and front left, but the back legs went back to normal fairly quickly. She is still limping slightly on the front (the shoulder when the cut is) and it is tender if I touch it, but she made it up the stairs just now which she wouldn't even attempt last night (I carried her down though as I wasn't taking any chances). I am going to e-mail the local dog-warden today. The chap may have been telling the truth that the dog has never done it before - equally he could be lying through his teeth and the dog is already known to the dog warden. I don't know if it is worth reporting to the police as they do not see a dog on dog attack as an offence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Poor little Freda, Willow sends a big but very gentle snuggly hug to help make it better. Might be as well to bathe the cut in salt water - that often helps to dry it out a bit and to fend off any infection. I can't work out why people don't put their dogs on leads - Willow's best friend is NEVER on a lead - she's very friendly so not worried about that so much as her running into the road ... I've told her owner (nicely) I think she's mad ... Hope Freda is ok xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Definitely report, and I would put money on it not being the first time! I had a lovely confident, friendly collie until two dogs set on him, it changed his attitude towards other dogs forever. Round the woods and fields I do walk our dogs off the lead but know full well exactly where they are and if I see another dog coming I call them back to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola O Posted April 15, 2014 Author Share Posted April 15, 2014 She is a little better, not limping as much on her front leg but her shoulder is still tender . She can't jump up onto the sofa, but she did get up the stairs which she wouldn't do last night. Sent a long e-mail to the dog warden via the environmental health e-mail contact, and had a reply from EH saying there is nothing they would do as this is not what the dog warden is for. what !?! A few minutes later one came from the dog warden saying that she was more than happy to go and speak to them, and she would also check if they are council/housing ass. tenants coz if they are they would be asked to sign a contract stating they will keep the dog under control. She is going to send me an incident report to fill in for her so a file can be kept in case their dog does this again. I have made it clear that I am not gunning for the dog, just want the idiot owner to have a 'talking to', so he understands that he cannot let his dog walk without a lead - oh, and perhaps she could tell them how luck they have been, that they are not getting a huge vet bill through the door . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 That sounds positive, the DW seems switched on even if EH was less than helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 Excellent, let's hear it for the DW!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Great news - that's what the DW should be doing; all dogs should be on lead and under control in 'public places', especially near roads. Quote from the government website on the matter: It’s against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control: in a public place in a private place where the dog isn’t allowed to be (eg a neighbour’s house or garden without permission) The law applies to all dogs. Some types of dogs are banned. Out of control Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it: injures someone makes someone worried that it might injure them A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if: it injures someone’s animal the owner of the animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal I hope she's better soon - some Arnica and a warm pad/warm hot water bottle will help with the aches. As a dog owner myself, and owning one rescue dog who is scared if a dog rushes up to him, this does annoy me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola O Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Thanks for the info, Dogmother. I have not heard back from the dog warden yet but I expect she's very busy. I am please to report that Freda seems practically back to normal, no longer limping and she only flinches very slightly if I press on her shoulder. She came out for her first walk since it happened on Monday night - just a gentle 10 min stroll round the block as I didn't want to 'over work' the leg. She did enjoy herself as she has hated the last couple of nights when I took the other two out but not her. Thank you everyone for you kind thoughts for Freda and I'll report back as and when I hear anything from the dog warden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Glad ot hear that she's on the mend. Gentle on-lead exercise is best while she heals, and being on the lead will help her to feel more confident, and also prevent her legging it if she's scared again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola O Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 Oh don't worry, Freda is ALWAYS on a lead as she has no recall whatsoever. Even after years of 'training', If she gets off she is GONE, and she may be old and a bit arthritic but boy can she move if she realises she is off lead. I have a 10m long training line so when we go over the field she has more freedom but cannot get away. She will stay on a short lead for a while though so she cannot over-do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 So glad she's none the worse after her ordeal. Fingers crossed you hear something useful from the DW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Aww, poor little thing. I hope she continues to do well. Other peoples dogs are probably one of the reasons why I don't want to get another dog - our Daisy got attacked a few times and it wasn't nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 How awful for you and poor little Freda too. I hate how people are irresponsible with their dogs. We had a very similar thing happened a few years ago when we had our chocolate labrador. She was being pavement walked, was on a lead, then a staffie ran out of someone's garden and just bit her. My OH had to grapple with the dog on the ground to make the dog release it's grip as it wouldn't let her go. We thought our dog was okay, but she did get an infection and we had to take her to the vets, think it cost us about £60. We called the police on the day she was attacked as like other people say, the next time it could be a child they attack. The police went round to the house but they denied any knowledge of the incident, we think the dog was probably owned by someone visiting them, so we got nowhere We now have a much smaller dog and just this last month 2 dogs have had a go at her and if their owners hadn't pulled them back they would have taken a chunk out of her. What annoys me the most is that some people just seem to buy a dog and don't bother to train it to be sociable towards other dogs yet it's so important Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 What annoys me the most is that some people just seem to buy a dog and don't bother to train it to be sociable towards other dogs yet it's so important This exactly. So many dogs are completely under socialised and bad mannered as a result. I realise that there are many and varied reasons why people may leash dogs around other dogs, but it seems to be the norm nowadays for people to leash their dogs when they see another dog approaching - the result being that the dog rarely/never gets to meet other dogs and therefore doesn't know how to behave. Really it sets the dog up for failure, because when accidents happen, like the one described here, it ends in disaster. Is it really so difficult to socialise your dog? Rant over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 I have to say that I fall into the category of calling my dogs to heel and putting them on lead when another dog approaches, partly because Cyrus is timid and takes fright if another dog rushes up to him, but mainly because they are two biggish dogs, and I'm well aware that other dogs owners might find them intimidating when they approach together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Our dogs were all very used to playing nicely with other dogs (puppy classes and they were show dogs), but they have been attacked by others so often that Herbie particularly doesn't really wait to see any more . As the "big dog" of the pack, he believes it's up to him to guard his mother and sister (and humans) and, if a dog pokes a nose them, he's now liable to bark and snap. He's never actually made contact, but has a bit of a reputation as a "nasty" dog in the country park. Ours are always on their leads in the park and only allowed to run free in the field we own and which is securely fenced. We do want them to socialise, particularly with people, so are resisting the temptation just to take them in the field but, when others have so little control over their pets and seem to think it's ok to have no control, it doesn't always make for the most pleasant experience. Glad to hear Freda's doing so well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
