My dog was attacked today, need some advice

[Guest Anonymous]

Hello,

Sadly, my poor dog Garion was attacked today by one of the other dogs in the apartment complex while we were out walking. The other dog was in his patio, leapt over the wall, and proceeded to maul mine. He had my dog pinned down for several minutes before his owners finally ran out to pull him off. Garion ran off afterwards (I had let go of the leash), so I was unable to talk to the owners since I had to run after him. I finally took Garion to the ER (it's a holiday and the regular vet was closed) where I paid $300+ for anesthesia, stitches, and antibiotics. Luckily, the wounds weren't too deep. I just wanted to get an opinion as to what I should say to the other owner. I was going to ask that they cover the cost for Garion's medical attention. Part of me wants more in retribution. I'm trying to be understanding, but it was a horrifying thing to watch a 100+lb dog attacking my 25 lb Garion. :cry: I'm afraid to go knocking on their door today because I'll lose my cool. I hate to blame the dog because I think it was the owner's responsibility to either have his dog leashed or have the patio wall extended up (as other owners in the complex have done). Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Lysa

P.S. Sorry if this is posted in the wrong group.[/img]

[Guest Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice. I've given them the letter and hopefully the response will be reasonable. Garion's doing fine as well. Any advice as to how to help him cope psychologically? ie: how long should I wait before taking him out around other dogs?

Lysa

[Guest Anonymous]

Sorry to hear about your dog!!

Were the neighbours sympathetic to your plight, I hope so and I hope he gets over it soon!

Dogs are a lot more tough and resilient than humans you know and I'm sure he will get over it soon enough, even though the other dog was three times his size.

Good luck!!!

[Sanvean]

Poor Garion! I worry a lot about my Macy being attacked by a strange dog -- she's only 6 pounds. We never, ever let her off leash because of this, but I worry that a dog might run up to us while we're out walking. THankfully, we live in a pretty safe area, but I still worry :p

[abker17]

I'm going to tell a story now, that I find very appaling.
Before I moved, there was a pekinees(I know I spelled that wrong :-? ) that lived down the street from me. The first time the stupid little dog attacked, was halloween, we had taken my best friend's dog, Snicker, trick or treating with us. We came up to the lady's house and when she opened the door to give us candy, the dog ran out. It chased Snicker in circles yapping at her and growling. So the lady FINALLY gets control of her dog and says "He's never done that before, it must be your dog" :evil: Snicker was badly shaken, and we took her home. :(
Well, to make a long story short, Snicker was attacked twice more, when we were walking her. The lady never had the dog on a leash, and it was always sitting in her yard with her when the attacks happened. Cracker (one of my dogs) was attacked once. Abby was almost attacked, but I had crossed the street when I saw the dog. It ran across the street after me, luckily the woman caught him before he got to Abby(Abby woulda killed the dog, I know it...) Why did I keep walking by the house u ask? Because I wasn't gonna let a little out of control dog keep me from walking my dog in my OWN neiborhood! :evil:
Finally, the last straw came. This time I was with my friend, and Snicker an Abby. The woman was having some sorta family get together in her back yard, and the dog was outside with the rest of the family, not tied of course. I did not see the dog at first, but as we walked by it came running, right for Abby! Then it saw Snicker, and turned for her. It chased her in circles, while Rachel(my friend) is chasing after her trying to pick her poor dog up. And the lady is chasing after her demon of a dog, and what is the family doing? THEY ARE SITTING THERE LAUGHING!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAN U BELIEVE THE NERVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All the time Abby is pulling wildly at her lead, whining, trying to protect Snicker! I could clearly see it in her eyes, that Abby was afraid for Snicker. She knew Snick was in trouble. I shoulda dropped the leash. I shoulda let Abby kill that d*** dog. But, I didn't. I know that wouldn't have solved anything. Finally the lady gets her dog, and shaken we run back to Rachel's house. Well, Rachel's mom drove right down to that lady's house and told her to keep her dog under control, and that she was calling the animal warden.
What if a small child had walked by? That dog coulda hurt someone. The animal warden came, and obviously the lady got the point and now keeps her dog under control. :-?
The moral of this story? Do not wait till the 3rd or 4th time to do something about a dangerous dog. Be it pekinees or Cane Corso it doesn't matter. Call your animal warden if need be. Most people catch on quite quick if u get the authorities envolved. :wink: