Dog Attacks

BillyBoy13

Im just back from my morning walk with my dog. I cant believe what just happened.

About 20 yards in front of me a teenager was walking in the same direction as me with a little jack russel type dog. Not much smaller than my dog.

Another person came towards us with his Alsation. When he passed the teenager in front, out of nowhere the Alsation grabbed the little jack russel and tried to rip him apart.

The guy that owned the Alsation started shouting at the dog and started hitting him and kicking him (the Alsation that is, his own dog). And the dog wouldnt let go.

I wont get into the full story now, but bascially it turned out this dog ripped apart a grey hound another day- the greyhound was muzzled and couldnt fight back. And he also bit a child last year.

Anyway. Look Im not trying to demonise alsations or who was right or who was wrong. I hate to say it like this, but if that teenager hadnt of been in front of me today Id be in the vets right now hoping my dog isnt about to die.

Needless to say this has put me right off going for a walk tonight.

What does everybody else do/use in case of an attack.

sillysmiles

Aren't you meant to throw a jacket or something over his head? I think it's meant to stop him/them fighting.

If he had already attacked a greyhound then he should be muzzled when out.

disco1

I walk 2 huskies and an alaskan malamute I cross the road or pull my dogs to one side if im ever near a smaller dog. Just in case ..

I had an attack by an off the lead staffy which latched on to my huskey I now carry a 2 foot bar in a rucksak because peoole cant be responsible for their dogs.

I will do what ever needs be to protect others.. Myself and my dogs. Its a shame I have to carry a bar on a relaxing walk .

mattser

BillyBoy13 wrote: »

Im just back from my morning walk with my dog. I cant believe what just happened.

About 20 yards in front of me a teenager was walking in the same direction as me with a little jack russel type dog. Not much smaller than my dog.

Another person came towards us with his Alsation. When he passed the teenager in front, out of nowhere the Alsation grabbed the little jack russel and tried to rip him apart.

The guy that owned the Alsation started shouting at the dog and started hitting him and kicking him (the Alsation that is, his own dog). And the dog wouldnt let go.

I wont get into the full story now, but bascially it turned out this dog ripped apart a grey hound another day- the greyhound was muzzled and couldnt fight back. And he also bit a child last year.

Anyway. Look Im not trying to demonise alsations or who was right or who was wrong. I hate to say it like this, but if that teenager hadnt of been in front of me today Id be in the vets right now hoping my dog isnt about to die.

Needless to say this has put me right off going for a walk tonight.

What does everybody else do/use in case of an attack.

Any chance you could let us know the area ?
My running has been affected by this type of thing more and more in recent times.
It's an epidemic in my view, and those who are supposed to be doing something about it don't seem to exist.

angelfire9

Aren't GSD's supposed to be muzzled when out?

fatmammycat

I think all dogs that attack and bite should be muzzled when out.
Op,I think prevention is better than attempting to stop a fight, use your wits, keep your eyes and ears open and if a dog looks aggressive or skittish or you just don't like the look of it, avoid.

Inexile

I hope this incident is reported as the Dog Warden may be able to do something about it especially if there has already been other incidents.

Some idiots should have dogs and if this dog is dog aggressive it was up to the owner to ensure it didn't get a chance to go near another dog - would have been simple to put a muzzle on it.

hotbabe1992

There is a dog at the moment down the end of our road which is a bit agressive and has bit in the past,wasnt reported or put down,but since then the owner has the good sense to muzzle and put him on a tight leesh when near people or other dogs..

Its not good enough. Id say this need reporting pronto,he hasnt muzzled the dog and there have been numerous seperate incidents.

Time to get the mobile out and dial the dog warden.A dog has already been injured and a child bitten what next? Its only a matter of time. Its your duty to do this.

BillyMitchel

OP how did you know the dog bit a child and killed another dog?

If all that is true and you are sure 100% then yeah I agree call the warden.

Teenagers with dogs are really starting to piss me off. There's a gang of maybe 13-15 year old that live close by and they constantly have a GSD with them (looks pretty well breed too) and its a disaster waiting to happen. Spotted them a few times when I've had my Dogo out and if something was to happen I bet I'd get blamed. There's not a hope they could control or stop something if it came to it.

Inexile

BillyMitchel wrote: »

.

Teenagers with dogs are really starting to piss me off.

It wasn't the teenager that had the GSD. The teenager had a small dog.

BillyMitchel

Inexile wrote: »

It wasn't the teenager that had the GSD. The teenager had a small dog.

Sorry read it wrong, they still piss me off though!

lucky333

Firstly it's German shepherd! It's not the breed of dog that is the problem it's the dog owner,, bad dog owners .. Report the owner. The dog should at least have been wearing a muzzle because of what he's already done, imagine if it was a child he got hold of..

BillyBoy13

BillyMitchel wrote: »

OP how did you know the dog bit a child and killed another dog?

If all that is true and you are sure 100% then yeah I agree call the warden.

The gardai and a vet were called to scene and Gardai started asking questions had the dog ever bit before and thats when it all came out. So no need to get the warden involved. But like I said, Im not trying to find out whos wrong, or demonise a breed "those damn pitbulls are pure evil" or whatever.

Im just trying to figure out some practical things that I can do should my dog ever get attacked.

Obviously fatmammycat is right about prevention being better than cure, but what happened today was completely out of nowhere there was no signs he was about to lash out.

So if your dog is getting attacked what do you do?

fatmammycat

BillyBoy13 wrote: »

The gardai and a vet were called to scene and Gardai started asking questions had the dog ever bit before and thats when it all came out. So no need to get the warden involved. But like I said, Im not trying to find out whos wrong, or demonise a breed "those damn pitbulls are pure evil" or whatever.

Im just trying to figure out some practical things that I can do should my dog ever get attacked.

Obviously fatmammycat is right about prevention being better than cure, but what happened today was completely out of nowhere there was no signs he was about to lash out.

So if your dog is getting attacked what do you do?

The thing is though, BillyBo,y there are signs: hackling, stiffening, posture, lip curls, slowing right down, staring, usually a whole host of signs that a dog is about to attack. I'm not saying it's absolute, but rarely does a dog attack another without a lot of signals before hand, certainly I've never see it- I just wish people were more aware of it.

In terms of the practical, it's really hard to say, I'd hate for a person to be injured when a lot of dog attacks are really just flash and noise with no breakage of skin: for a very serious attack the only thing I've ever witnessed to help was one man who literally dragged his dog - a lab as it happens- off a westie by his back legs, the poor westie got dragged a little, but the lab did let go in the end.
Personally I think I wouldn't get in between two dog fighting, the risk of redirection is too great. But then I say that now, but if a dog attacked by dog, who is terribly placid, I think instinct would take over and I'd try to help him as much as possible. Again, as I said earlier, pervention is better than cure, if at all possible. I own a GSD, the damage he could do is remarkable, which is why I have trained him to a very high standard, and he's an absolute delight around all breeds of dog, even ones barking at him he ignores as if they didn't exist. But if a dog attacked him, I think it would be a disaster afor all involved.

As someone who walks a large dog (Akita), the responsibility is solely on the man with the Alsation. Firstly, he should definitely have a muzzle on his dog. Secondly, if his dog did this before to the Greyhound and the child then he's an absolute idiot who doesn't care and shouldn't have a dog. I feel sorry for the Alsation...he's just being a dog, the man is at fault.

My dog ALWAYS has a muzzle on because I'm responsible for what he does.

hotbabe1992

I agree if the dog is troublesome or got in some serious fights with bites and all,i would say the owner is stupid for not muzzling the dog,the writings on the wall and he didnt pay attention to that.

He is obviously not a repsonsible owner,in order to own an animal like a dog you have to be a responsible stand up sort of person,not someone who doesnt give two monkeys or doesnt heed the warning signs.

Benda

BillyBoy13 wrote: »

Im just back from my morning walk with my dog. I cant believe what just happened.

About 20 yards in front of me a teenager was walking in the same direction as me with a little jack russel type dog. Not much smaller than my dog.

Another person came towards us with his Alsation. When he passed the teenager in front, out of nowhere the Alsation grabbed the little jack russel and tried to rip him apart.

The guy that owned the Alsation started shouting at the dog and started hitting him and kicking him (the Alsation that is, his own dog). And the dog wouldnt let go.

I wont get into the full story now, but bascially it turned out this dog ripped apart a grey hound another day- the greyhound was muzzled and couldnt fight back. And he also bit a child last year.

Anyway. Look Im not trying to demonise alsations or who was right or who was wrong. I hate to say it like this, but if that teenager hadnt of been in front of me today Id be in the vets right now hoping my dog isnt about to die.

Needless to say this has put me right off going for a walk tonight.

What does everybody else do/use in case of an attack.

You should report this immediately to the Gardai. The Alsatian should have been muzzled in accordance with the dangerous dogs laws

Benda

Benda wrote: »

You should report this immediately to the Gardai. The Alsatian should have been muzzled in accordance with the dangerous dogs laws

I agree with all you said except the last bit because that's not true. It's called the restricted breeds list. Not dangerous dogs, they're just dogs that need to be managed a little more than other dogs perhaps.

BillyBoy13

Lads, no offence to anyone, but I was kinda hoping to keep this thread about practical steps you can take to prevent and/or stop an ongoing attack from a vicious dog.

Mammyfatcat has raised some great points. I didnt know any of that stuff about a dog slowing down or staring etc.... In my ignorant mind all I would have looked out for was growling and barking. Which is probably why that last attack seemed so random.

But Im still worried about what to do during an attack. I know it was mentioned that you shouldn't intervene but to be honest I couldnt just sit back and watch. I just couldnt. My dog is small and really friendly, if we bumped into a vicious chihuahua it would give him a run for his money! Nevermind something like an Alsatian.

ShaShaBear

BillyBoy13 wrote: »

Lads, no offence to anyone, but I was kinda hoping to keep this thread about practical steps you can take to prevent and/or stop an ongoing attack from a vicious dog.

Mammyfatcat has raised some great points. I didnt know any of that stuff about a dog slowing down or staring etc.... In my ignorant mind all I would have looked out for was growling and barking. Which is probably why that last attack seemed so random.

But Im still worried about what to do during an attack. I know it was mentioned that you shouldn't intervene but to be honest I couldnt just sit back and watch. I just couldnt. My dog is small and really friendly, if we bumped into a vicious chihuahua it would give him a run for his money! Nevermind something like an Alsatian.

Unfortunately, there is very little you can do. A dog with intent to attack will always give you signs, so keep an eye on other dogs as you approach. If they suddenly start tugging on the lead when they were slack before, try bringing your dog in closer and pointedly slowing right down. Most responsible owners will take that to mean that you are uncomfortable and will usually do the same with their own dog. My dog HATES other dogs, but it is completely fear-based and as such we can't muzzle him, he gets twenty times more anxious that he cannot defend himself, and has been attacked equally as many times as he has instigated. But if I see someone coming, I either pull him in tight and say sorry (if the person is too close to me), I cross the road if I can, or I literally turn and start walking the way I came (especially if the other person has no lead or refuses to use it because "their" dog is under control :rolleyes: ).

Inexile

as said above there isn't much you can do with a loose dog. However, if the dog is off lead and there is someone with it you can ask them not to allow their dog come up to yours. Some wont but at least you can try to reduce the risk if they do.

Whispered

BillyBoy - practically I would suggest not putting your hand near the neck/shoulders/head of the attacking dog. I would say take a hold of the hips and pull up and back at an angle. It knocks the dog off balance without causing it harm and it's not likely to make the situation worse as hitting or collar grabbing might.

However, it does leave you holding a dog by the back end that could be swinging to bite you next so be careful. Only do it if it's a matter of life or death, or if you know the dog and trust it's unlikely to bite you.

.jacksparrow.

Did the Jack Russell survive?

Radio is for life

lucky333 wrote: »

Firstly it's German shepherd! It's not the breed of dog that is the problem it's the dog owner,, bad dog owners .. Report the owner. The dog should at least have been wearing a muzzle because of what he's already done, imagine if it was a child he got hold of..

I have a English Bulldog and they are alleged to be vicious but my dog wouldn't harm a mouse and in fact we have a cat and he plays with it. He's afraid of his own shadow,

Mr. Nice

Radio is for life wrote: »

I have a English Bulldog and they are alleged to be vicious

I've never heard allegations about aggression in English Bulldogs, quite the opposite in fact. They're pretty docile companion dogs.

username123

Carry a water bottle and try a blast of cold water into the face of the attacking dog, it might distract him long enough to grab your dog out of the attack.

boardbrowser

Breaking up dog fights( depending on the severity of the fight eg. a latch on being a pretty nasty predicament to contend with ) is messy business but the most important aspect is that you don't put yourself at risk of a re-directed bite when you try and seperate fighting dogs by grabbing at their collars.
Here's my advice if you feel at risk from dog attacks on your dog.

1- carry a product called 'pet Corrector' which is available from most big pet shops- it comes in a can but is merely compressed air and when you squeeze the button a blast of air comes out with a pretty sharp and shocking sound. some dogs will stop fighting immediatley as it's an aversive ( it's scary to them). It will not harm the dog unlike pepper spray or citronella spray that may agitate a dog further but might be enough of an aversive to scare a dog and stop the fight. Note: i only recommend this to break up fights and not as a cure all to stop jumpng up, stealing food as the product recommends.

2- Bring a 'sports water bottle' (the sports cap kind available in all shops)filled with water and squirt on the dogs until they stop fighting if a fight occurs to break it up.

if either of these 2 options don't work then you have to get hands on and pull them apart. Again, do not reach for collars to try and separate but instead grip the base of the tail where it joins the body , if dog has no tail ( a docked one for example) then place both your hands underneath the loins, lift up kind of like the action of reversing a wheel barrow and pull dogs apart.obviously then secure with leads( if off lead encounter) and assess for damage if any.

if there is a latch on( one or both dogs are connected to skin with their teeth) and not letting go for a few seconds then best to remain calm as you possibly can. Then straddle the more aggressive one and hold onto it's collar but don't pull off /back as it might cause dog to grab and shake which causes a lot more damage to skin( maybe tearing of the skin) they will eventually let go if you remain calm and then seperate and assess damage if any.
Yes, this is an awful prediciment to be faced with and i hope no dog owner has to deal with this event.
With a latch on scenario - do not go down the route of beating a dog off with any bar/ stick as it may make the more aggressive dog become more aggressive since their adreneline is pumping through their veins and may worsen the damage if there is a latch on ( god forbid)

I'm speaking from experience as a previous shelter worker that required me to moderate remedial socialisation play groups with stray/ abandoned dogs with unknown owner history , play skills and unknown bite inhibtion to ascertain if they would be safe for adoption to a member of the public.