My dog attacked by another dog

Peterward2008

Hi all

I was walking my Jack Russell (on a lead) this morning when a rottweiler escaped from its garden and attacked him. I managed to pick him up and get him away before any damage was done but he still has puncture would in his tail and bruising and grazing elsewhere. I got him to the vet who cleaned it up, gave him antibiotics and pain killers. It could have been a lot lot worse.

The vet cost naturally but what worries me is if the dog does this to another dog or person again. I went to the owner who did not apologise or has not offered to pay the vets bill. I have also lost a days work as a result.

I am angry as it was implied I should walk my dog elsewhere. But why have a gate flimsy enough to let a dog escape.

The dogs ok and will be fine but it was one hell of a fright and I was I lucky it didn't get hold of my dog by the neck.

Any thoughts?

(Actually this is more of a therapy post as I am still pretty shaken myself.)

krlyr

Hope you're OK, I imagine you're very shaken up.
Firstly, unfortunately the law doesn't help much with dog-on-dog attacks but your local dog warden may be willing to mediate the situation and try to convince the owner to pay your vet fees.
It could be worth getting some advice over at the doglaw website too - http://www.doglaw.co.uk/ (they offer preliminary advice for free, and if your dog is insured you may get legal cover included in your policy)

Secondly, I would like to correct the "what if it's a person next" - dog-to-dog aggression can have numerous causes but it is exactly that - aggression directed at other dogs. A lack of socialisation, that dog having been subjected to an attack itself, etc. can cause a fear in a dog that leads it to attack other dogs - but you do really think you could have seperated a truly aggressive Rottweiler from your dog before it inflicted severe damage, and do you not think that if it was human-aggressive it would have turned on you too?
I know you're upset but the breed suffers enough with its reputation - please don't turn a dog-on-dog attack into something more than it was. Persue the matter in hand if you feel that way inclined, do your best to ensure that the owner is made to keep their dog secure, but please do not assume that a dog-aggressive dog is a threat to people too.

warehouse

krlyr wrote: »

please don't turn a dog-on-dog attack into something more than it was.

Absolutely unbelievable reply.

OP, do whatever you need to do to make sure the next attack isn't against a child.

krlyr

I would also advise that you contact a dog behaviourist for some advice on how to go from here - it could be a huge benefit to arrange to meet some calm, friendly dogs with your dog once he's recovered to allow him to bounce back from this attack (a bit like jumping back on a horse when you've fallen off). Otherwise you may well face the same issue as the Rottie owner yourself, your dog may display aggressive behaviour to other dogs out of his fear of a repeat attack. Try the APBC website for local behaviourists - http://www.apbc.org.uk

Hadrian

My Jack Russell was attacked while on a lead by a large vicious dog which bounded out of a farm house (which was ON the Staffordshire Way National Footpath at Uttoxeter) causing a large tear in its neck. It slipped it's lead and ran away. Then the owners appeared and I, being concerned about my dog, ran after my dog who had got far away. I went to my local Vet and after all he did was charged £70. I went next to the police and told them the story. They didn't want to know. What I should have done was to say to them my ankle/leg/calf had been bitten by this dog and leave the rest to them. Despite letters to the other dog owner they ignored all of them. I'll know better next time!! My other concern is that as this is a legal footpath frequented by hundreds of walkers including children this dog is dangerous.

krlyr

warehouse wrote: »

Absolutely unbelievable reply.

OP, do whatever you need to do to make sure the next attack isn't against a child.

Where has the OP said that their arms have been ripped to shreds? Their leg had a gaping wound requiring 50 stitches?
The fact that OP hasn't even mentioned a bite to their hands in the midst of separating the dogs speaks volumes on the Rottweiler's temperament towards human being IMO.

dawnie1972

If the dog warden/police wont help you can persue the matter yourself in a small claims court, you can download the forms or fill them in online, it costs about £30 (which you will get back when you win the case), take photos of the dogs wounds etc to use as evidence and keep the vet bills. Its about making the other dogs owner take responsibility - i had the same happen to my dogs - mine were on lead and my neighbours dog escaped out of their garden and attacked two of mine - police werent interested neither was the dog warden so i persued it in a small claims court whereby the neigbour submitted a defence that "their dog licked my dog" at which point I advised her solicitor I had pictures & a vets bill to prove otherwise and they settled out of court. Its not about the money its about people being responsible dog owners.

gettingready

warehouse wrote: »

OP, do whatever you need to do to make sure the next attack isn't against a child.

Nonsense - who said a dog that is dog agressive will necesarily attack a child? Or an adult for that matter?

If that dog was people agressive, would have bitten OP when the OP picked up her own dog up.

******************

OP, sorry it happened to you and your dog, hope you are both ok soon.

dawnie1972

Also regardless of whether the Rottie attacked the op or not it was still dangerously out of control in a public place - whats the point of having dog legislation if its not enforced.

lipsthefish

warehouse wrote: »

Absolutely unbelievable reply.

OP, do whatever you need to do to make sure the next attack isn't against a child.

It's not unbelievable at all, I had a dog who was very dog aggressive but she would let the bairns ride round on her back, being aggressive towards dogs in no way means it will be aggressive towards people.

warehouse

krlyr wrote: »

Where has the OP said that their arms have been ripped to shreds? Their leg had a gaping wound requiring 50 stitches?
The fact that OP hasn't even mentioned a bite to their hands in the midst of separating the dogs speaks volumes on the Rottweiler's temperament towards human being IMO.

It wasn't a sausage dog, it was an aggressive rottweiler, (or should I say rottie to fluff it up). Please let me know how you know it won't go for a child next?