Scary Experience

[EmmaRose]

Tonight Rory and I had a scary experience on our walk on the beach, Rory  was on his long line practising recall to the whistle when a Doberman came running over towards us.  It instantly started growling and barking at Rory so I tried to carry on walking away but it then started circling us and tried to go for Rory.  I had to pick him up as I couldn't get away and the dog then jumped up and bit Rory's leg and when I got back to the car I've realised it  has scratched all down my back. Rory seems fine and I can't find any damage thankfully.. 

The worst part of the whole experience though is the attitude of its owners who made no attempt to get their dog under control and just said the ever frustrating phrase "he's only playing."  The dog was most definitely not playing - it was the first time I've ever actually been scared of a dog...  After a few choice words from me the owner eventually got his dog but had to tell me that "he plays here ever day..." but the dog then carried on and ran off and pinned down a westie   

Thankfully Rory seems ok in himself and we carried on and found a friendly dog for him to say a quick hello to and hopefully he can forget the whole thing. Luckily Pippa was being looked after by my parents as if it had happened to her, we would without doubt be back to square one with building her confidence around dogs. Such a scary experience 

[bizzylizzy]

Glad you're both ok but what a horrible thing to happen!! There!s really no telling some people, - as if them being there every day entitles them to tyranize everyone else - especially when Rory was on the lead!

[elaine.e]

Sorry you had such a bad experience. It sounds like the owners of the Dobe are either completely ignorant about the behaviour of their dog or just don't care.

Have you thought about phoning the police and your local dog warden? The police should be interested because of the scratches on your back, especially if you tell them you felt afraid for yourself as well as for your dog. Under changes to the law that were introduced a couple of years ago the Doberman would undoubtedly be deemed as being out of control. Your local dog warden may already be aware of this dog, but if he isn't it will be useful for him to know. He may be able to track down the owners and have a word with them to warn them about the possible consequences of their dog's behaviour.

[Markr64]

Totally agree with Elaine as this is now a thing not tolerated in law. I hope you and Rory are now both ok as it is an awful thing to have to face.

[Blueberry]

It's quite possible these people and their dog are already known to the local police and dog warden.  They may just be waiting for someone to report an injury so that they can take action, so I would definitely report it.
There are a couple local to me that are well known for having their large dogs out of control in public access areas, but the police can't do anything unless an injury to a person (rather than a dog) is reported.  (Unfortunately only a matter of time, I fear).
Hope you are feeling ok after your shock, it's enough to put you off going out.

[Karma]

Agree that you should contact dog warden and police.
An out of control dog caused you to be fearful for your/your dog's safety and caused injury.
That is sufficient to be deemed dangerously out of control.

Hope you have both recovered now.

[saracens123]

I have just seen this.sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience.when your dog is attacked it really is horrible and also very frustrating at how ignorant and stupid some owners are  as stated report the dog and owners if you can.

[Ambler54]

It is really upsetting, Rosie and I were in a carpark after our walk, 3 cars came in, ladies got out opened their boots and let out 5 dogs.Dogs then ran around the car park as others were trying to park, how one didnt get run over I do not know.But then a retriever ran at Rosie , who was onthe lead as it was a busy car park,barking, jumped at Her and bowled Her over.'hes friendly' said the owner..'i am fed up with friendly retrievers bowling my dog over' says I.Retriever continued barking and jumping at Rosie who now was hiding behind my legs...I had to pick Her up and put Her in the car with the retriever owner glaring at Me for making a fuss and She made no attempt to control Her dog ....ggggrrrrrr.  It really is a case of bad owners. Hope your little dog is not too upset by what happened, and that you are ok.

[AlanT]

Get your phone out and start running video. Quite surprising how upset they get about this.

I always haul my dog up off the ground. Easier now I'm using a WYDWL.

This will be a problem forever, I'm afraid. I got bitten as a kid when defending my dog, over fifty years ago,

[MrsOmalley]

I had a bad experience yesterday, we were waking in local nature reserve and a vizula came up and started annoying the girls, eventually the owner turned up and took him away.  A while later on the way back to the car said dog comes bounding over, jumping all over the girls who start screaming like only a cocker can.  The dog keeps circling us and owner is nowhere to be seen.  The dog then jumps up at me and knocks me over and stands over me, I keep hoping he doesn't bite, the girls are by my side, still screaming.  Owner turns up and says he's never done that before!! Doesn't make any attempt to put a lead on it, another dog walker told her to get the dog under control and she insisted he wasn't a problem!  I have bruises on my legs where I fell, was very shaky and don't feel I can walk there again.

[Ambler54]

Thats awful. Maybe walk at a different time.Very sad that bad owners should dictate our lives. I have changed the time I go to the trail with Rosie.She loves it there so now We make it our afternoon walk, have to say it does seem to be a different sort of walker in the afternoon, for now at least.
Rosie is still young and bouncy but I try to look ahead and put Her on a lead if I feel unsure of the situation.We were walking on Sunday and a family were coming towards us, 2 adults and a boy and girl.The girl turned and ran back to mum as soon as She saw us, Rosie loves children and just sits for them, but this child was obviously afraid so on went Rosies lead.Mum was so grateful , took 3 seconds to do, saved a situation, why oh why do some dog owners think their dogs can do no wrong.

[John_Stothert]

Feel for you all, I truly hope no dog attacks my girl, as I will not be responsible for actions, ignorant folk bring up ignorant kids, and ignorant dogs

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