I just had to fight off a crazed dog

1. 60

   kephriraposted 14 years ago

   Nice sunny afternoon, walking the dog in the park, and he was attacked by another dog. The owner just stood there and did nothing, so I had to fight it off myself. Both me and my dog were left bleeding, and when I showed the man my hand to say "look what your dog did to me", his reply was "what do you expect if you put your hand in a dogs mouth", as if I had done something wrong.
   
   I don't believe in aggressive animals being put down, but I wouldn't mind it happening to the the owner.
   
   I think there has been a trend to own aggressive breeds recently, like some macho thing. I see so many of them about. So does this mean I can't even take my dog to the park anymore unless he's on a short leash? It's so wrong and I'm so depressed about it. The dog got diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago too, and now this.
   
   Ok, I just wanted to have a rant. Thanks.

   replyreport
2. 71

   Beth100posted 14 years ago

   It's just terrible that this happened.  There is a solution, especially if his dog bit you.  If you had seeked medical attention, there would be a medical record indicating the incident, time, date and place.  The next step would be to report him to the police.  Where I live, any dog that has bitten a human is automatically put down plus the owner is fined.  In severe cases, the owner is not allowed to own a dog for a minimum of 12 months and after that time period, must prove that he will be a fit owner.
   
   Hope your dog and you are better.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      kephriraposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I think its similar here. But I don't want the dog to be put down. I want the owner to be put down.
      
      Dogs are only aggressive if they are brought up to be like that, and even if they are they can be kept away from other people and animals. It's not the dogs fault.

      replyreport
      1. 71

         Beth100posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         It may not be the dog's fault, but once a dog has bitten a human and gets away with it, all humans become game for them.  This includes children, who require the protection of adults. This is further accentuated when the dog's alpha (his owner) gives his approval by not stopping it. Unfortunately, in order for the owner to receive the proper consequences for his action, the dog is the one that loses out. 
         
         Aiden is correct -- you must have your dog and yourself checked for health reasons.

         replyreport
3. 70

   Aiden Robertsposted 14 years ago

   I would certainly report the incident to the police and have your dog checked over. Dogs for some insecure idiots are status symbols, they train thier dog to attack because they think it makes them look macho, sadly it's is innocent animals and owners that suffer.
   I really hope both of you are ok.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      kephriraposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks. Neither of us are severely hurt, it's just unpleasant and makes me worry that it is no longer safe to take him out.

      replyreport
4. 67

   Mishaposted 14 years ago

   Buy a gun.

   replyreport
   1. 71

      Beth100posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      for the dog or the owner? 

      replyreport
      1. 67

         Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         LOL, surely for the owner - if you leave him alive he will bring up another dog like that

         replyreport
         1. 60

            kephriraposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I almost agree. Once I got the dog off and he trying to say it was my fault I nearly hit him. Tommorow I'll probably be glad I didn't, but right now I really, really wish that I had.

            replyreport
5. 71

   Beth100posted 14 years ago

   So true Misha.  I can think of a better solution for the owner....  let your imagination run wild!!!

   replyreport
6. 53

   kmackey32posted 14 years ago

   This is why strange dogs scare the crap outa me.. If there are not your own, you never know what they will do...

   replyreport
7. 71

   Beth100posted 14 years ago

   The problem is, if you had hit the owner, his dog would have attacked you for sure.  Then, your dog would attack his dog in defence of you.  Glad you didn't hit back physically, but I'd still report him.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      kephriraposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'm sure your right, although my dog wouldn't of done anything, not because he doesn'r care, but because he really doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body.
      
      I know I probably should report it, as a few people have said. But the police around here barely even investigate burglaries. They come to your house, interview you and your neighbours, and then just tell you that unless you can tell them who did it there is nothing they can do (at least there honest about it - that's pretty much exactly what they told my dad), so I don't think they are going to bring out the CSI team for this.

      replyreport
8. 70

   lrohnerposted 14 years ago

   Geez, I had to read this now. I was planning on heading to the dog park later today with my pup.
   
   I'm really sorry this happened to you. And I find that it's not just the "aggressive" breeds. Any dog, regardless of its size or breed, should be under the control of the owner at all times unless it's in their own house where they can do as they please. If that dog does not "sit" when the owner tells it to, the dog should not be off of a leash IMHO.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      kephriraposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry Irohner, please don't worry too muc h- its the first time this has happened to me and I've done a lot of dog walking over the years.
      
      And I do think there is something going on specific to this area. Until I was nearly 30 I had never heard of dog fighting happening in my town, but over the last few years there have been regular news stories about people getting arrested for it, and whn I go out I can see big increases in the kind of breeds people buy either for fighting or because they look tough.

      replyreport
9. 53

   kmackey32posted 14 years ago

   Hi Irohner

   replyreport