What would you have done - I was just out walking my dog in the neighborhood

[jillan]

like I do everyday. We turned onto a street and there was another dog that was loose. I didn't think anything of it - dogs get out, and my dog loves other dogs.
Well this dog immediately started attacking me dog. Had her on her back and was biting her neck, wouldn't let go. Tobi is a strong dog (Australian Cattle Dog) she couldn't break away. That other dog had my dog by the jugular. It was a nitemare.
I was freaking out, and started screaming for help. Some people came out of their house and were going to get the hose and spray that other dog. Luckily, and very unusual, a cop was in the neighborhood. He ended up tasing that dog. I was so happy...god...I hate tasers, but this one time, I was so happy that he had one.

My dog is okay - only one place where her skin was broken - on her leg. She's pretty shaken up.

What would you have done in this situation? I felt so helpless. I've had dogs my whole life and never ever had this happen.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. There is not much you can do when 2 dogs are going at it like that.

If you had tried to interfere, you would have been injured. It was lucky for you that the police officer was there

Did you find out who owned the dog? Did it have all its shots? It needs to be tested for rabies, among other things.

Is the owner..if they will admit to it...willing to pay all your vet bills? ...and he should be fined...
Not sure about the ultimate fate of a dog like that.

It is sad, the irresponsible owner could end up costing the dog its life.


It have been in a somewhat similar situation and tried to help my dog. I ended up getting badly bitten..more so than my dog did.

and had to go to the emergency room to have several stitches and a couple of shots.

My friends who came running told me I should have just backed away..but I understand the impulse to try to help...

I am glad your dog is ok.

Any follow up so far...from the police or the ASPCA?

[jillan]

2. Maybe I was stupid - but the cop asked me if I wanted to press charges - I said no.

I was just so relieved that my dog was okay. I don't know who the owner of the other dog is. It had a collar on.

Maybe I should have taken it further. I don't think straight when I'm freaking out.

That is crazy that happened to you.

I have some pepper spray - I guess I will take it on our walks from now on.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. But you DO need to find out if that dog has had all its shots.....

and perhaps reconsider pressing charges...just to impress upon the owner that irresponsiblity has consequences.
And if there are any vet bills, the other owner should definitely be paying them.

[mopinko]

4. i'm just stupid enough to have

charged right in there. i would have kicked the dog in the head. hard.
probably would have been sorry. but i am kind of used to breaking up dog fights, as things get a little hairy in my pack from time to time.
dog fights usually look/sound a lot scarier than reality dictates. serious injuries are rare.

[liberalla]

5. Please, please tell me they picked the dog up and took him in

That would be horrifying to watch your dog be attacked and I'm so relieved it wasn't worse, but that other dog needs to be monitored in the future and the owner be responsible.

I've never had a dog, and I don't know what I'd do. I imagine myself swinging a cane or umbrella if I had something like that handy, and I'd be screaming my head off.

I hope your dog isn't traumatized long term by this. Poor girl.

edit: Whether or not you press charges against the owners, I would think animal control should be made aware and involved in the dog's behavior/control. Clearly the dog is unsafe. It needs to be on his record. If he were to get loose and do this again in the future, it could be worse. IMO.

[Coyote_Bandit]

6. I've had a similar experience

More than once actually. All involving the same small (maybe 10 pound white Westie) dog that lived in the neighborhood and apparently was quite the escape artist (usually had mud well above his elbows).

I tried lots of different things - changing our walk schedule and path, carrying and using a spray bottle on the offender, talking to the little beast's owner, calling animal control, etc.

The only thing that worked was being outright mean and aggressive toward the little beast. The last encounter we had I grabbed the little beast by his neck, put him on his back, got in his face, growled at him and shook him until his eyes got really big.

I felt sorry for the little guy - he lived in a house with small children, was otherwise friendly and curious but obviously had not been properly socialized or trained.

[Paper Roses]

7. It is really necessary to contact Animal Control to report this.

The dog that attacked you should be checked out. His owner should have to produce a current Rabies certificate and current license for the animal. I'm glad you and your dog are OK but what if this attack was upon a child, or what if the dogs shots are not up to date? Another dog, a kitty?

Call the police and see if you can find the officer who helped you and tell him that, as a public safety gesture, you think you should report the incident.
Doing so will not necessarily get the dog owner in trouble but it will make him produce proper paperwork and make him properly restrain his dog. You will feel terrible if something else happens with this mean dog.

The police will tell you about how to report it to Animal Control.