dog nipped someone, what to expect next?

gettingready

krlyr wrote: »

Technically, with no skin broken there's no proof.

If the jogger was wearing long trousers - would be difficult for a westie to break the skin.

Short lead and/or muzzle and back to the owners - let them deal with this in the way they see best.

shandyclover

Thank you for all the responses. Will try and reach the dog's owner and see if they have any response. Just so baffling as westie is usually extremely good natured and friendly with other people and dogs. Never once has he picked a fight. My brother has taken him out for the day with my young nieces and he is has always been lovely with everyone, old ladies will often stop and admire him and give him a stroke in the street, he's always been one of those waggy-tail dogs.

In talking more with DD19, it seems both westie and her were just really startled. Joggers came round the corner at full pelt, and apparently they were large ladies, a bike came from the opposite direction and the ladies veered into DD19, she said the lady sort of brushed past her and at that moment westie just turned his head and nipped her on the ankle. There was no lunging, barking or growling.

For the moment we've all agreed only I will take him for walks and keep on lead until we hear more from owner.

ameliarate

shandyclover wrote: »

Thank you for all the responses. Will try and reach the dog's owner and see if they have any response. Just so baffling as westie is usually extremely good natured and friendly with other people and dogs. Never once has he picked a fight. My brother has taken him out for the day with my young nieces and he is has always been lovely with everyone, old ladies will often stop and admire him and give him a stroke in the street, he's always been one of those waggy-tail dogs.

In talking more with DD19, it seems both westie and her were just really startled. Joggers came round the corner at full pelt, and apparently they were large ladies, a bike came from the opposite direction and the ladies veered into DD19, she said the lady sort of brushed past her and at that moment westie just turned his head and nipped her on the ankle. There was no lunging, barking or growling.

For the moment we've all agreed only I will take him for walks and keep on lead until we hear more from owner.

It really sounds to me as though it was just shock from the dog, especially as it will be a bit unsettled being away from its' home. It is worth keeping a look out when walking to be sure you know what is coming at all time, especially around corners and keeping a short lead, otherwise really don't worry too much. By the time you get a call from the dog warden, if you do, your friends will probably be back from holiday.

elsien

A similar thing happened with mine once.
I saw a load of kids coming my way so made her sit and wait to one side. Impatient jogger coming up from behind us (so I didn't see him till it was too late) ran really close up the side of her, his arm swung over her head as he went past, and she did the same thing, jumped and nipped. Only she's a powerful dog and did break the skin. Even though she was on the lead, it sounds similar in that mutt was startled, thought she was being attacked and reacted before I realised what was happening. No growl, hackles or bark, just a flying leap.
I was very lucky - I gots lots of verbal abuse from him, then he jogged off, but I was petrified of getting reported and what the consequences might have been. She was muzzled after that for a good while - scary looking bull terrier with bad habit of jumping and nipping - not worth taking the chance.
The other lesson I learned was I'd put her sitting on the same side as the path that people were walking on, and I was on the far side of her. After that I always made sure that I was between her and the side that people were walking along. That way I stood more chance of stopping her in time if it happened again.
Your DD has my sympathy - it's a horrible situation when it happens.

elliesmemory1

whoever is in charge of the dog at the time is responsible for the dog so if any action is taken by the jogger it will be against that person, not the owner

meritaten

have you heard anything Shandyclover?

mandragora_2

'I'm a bit overweight (well, a lot really!) and, after years of depression and anxiety, I have finally plucked up the courage to do some thing about it. Well, my best friend and I finally took the plunge tonight and went for a run to the local park and back.

As we came round a corner, minding our own business, and just beginning to feel a bit more confident, a cyclist came whizzing past us on the pavement. Frightened, I swerved to avoid him rather than be knocked down and a terrier-type dog on a lead lunged at me and went to bite me. Fortunately, I was able to get out of the way, so it only grazed me, but I was so shaken up I came home in tears and have been sitting here all evening wondering why I even bothered in the first place. I might as well give up and accept that I can't do this and never will be able to.

I can't stop shaking when I think about what could have happened - say it had been a small child instead of me? Should I report it to the dog warden, do you think?'

elsien

Try not to let it put you off (easier said than done, probably.) It's one of those things that really doesn't happen that often, and you were just unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It would be a shame after plucking up courage to give things a go, you let this stop you. (Speaking as someone horribly unfit who keeps talking about exercise and never actually getting there, the fact that you made it out there is really good going in my book.)
As far as the dog warden goes, do you know the dog's owner, as without any contact details, there's not really much anyone can do.

krlyr

elsien wrote: »

Try not to let it put you off (easier said than done, probably.) It's one of those things that really doesn't happen that often, and you were just unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It would be a shame after plucking up courage to give things a go, you let this stop you. (Speaking as someone horribly unfit who keeps talking about exercise and never actually getting there, the fact that you made it out there is really good going in my book.)
As far as the dog warden goes, do you know the dog's owner, as without any contact details, there's not really much anyone can do.

I think mandragora ws playing devil's advocate, i.e. the OP's situation from the jogger's POV.

Person_one

mandragora wrote: »

'I'm a bit overweight (well, a lot really!) and, after years of depression and anxiety, I have finally plucked up the courage to do some thing about it. Well, my best friend and I finally took the plunge tonight and went for a run to the local park and back.

As we came round a corner, minding our own business, and just beginning to feel a bit more confident, a cyclist came whizzing past us on the pavement. Frightened, I swerved to avoid him rather than be knocked down and a terrier-type dog on a lead lunged at me and went to bite me. Fortunately, I was able to get out of the way, so it only grazed me, but I was so shaken up I came home in tears and have been sitting here all evening wondering why I even bothered in the first place. I might as well give up and accept that I can't do this and never will be able to.

I can't stop shaking when I think about what could have happened - say it had been a small child instead of me? Should I report it to the dog warden, do you think?'

I see what you've done there, but I don't really see why.