Did I do right?

CharlieBrewer · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 5:25 pm Post subject: Did I do right?

I have always practiced what we were taught at Puppy romps - not to break up any fights, and never have done both Charlie and Izzie on the very rare occasion they have fallen out with other dogs have both sorted it out for themselves.

However today I took them for a walk this afternoon as normal, to the same field that I take them to every day, but today when they lept out of the car they were greeted by a massive german shepherd - it made a total bee line for Charlie knocking him flying and he was obviously terrified because he was really screaming and crying, the dogs owner was sat in his car watching this - I was yelling for the dog to leave Charlie alone and calling for the owner (using some choice words!) asking him to get his dog - the owner just sat there

I tried getting the dog off of Charlie who was using him as his own toy rolling him over and over biting him etc but he kept trying to bite me so I couldnt reach Charlie - Izzie was barking at the alsation and then really went for it as if to say right thats enough, sod off - the alsation was a little shocked that this little dog was having a go at him so moved off of Charlie who was motionless on the floor - Izzie bless her chased the dog away growling at him and barking (might I add at this point the owner is still sat in his car!)

Once Izzie chased him away the owner eventually called the dog and put him in the car - but never said a word, poor Charlie is just lying on the floor not moving, there was no blood on him but I picked him up and rushed him to the vet who checked him over and said that he was probably shocked more than anything and that they could not see any cuts on him but to keep my eye on him.....

Shockingly, when I was carrying Charlie back to the car the owner of the other dog just watched and said nothing - I took the registration of the car, although is there any point in reporting him

So, I am a little traumatised by it all to be honest, I honestly believe had Izzie not chased this dog away he would have seriously harmed either me or Charlie because he just was not giving in. Does anyone think i could have done anything differently?

And is there any way of making sure that Charlie is not traumatised himself after this episode - no dog has ever turned on him, but seeing as my parents have an alsation I dont want him to be scared of them, what should my next step be with him? He is such a lovely sociable dog who treats all other dogs as friends, is this now going to change him?

Any advice would be great.....

lablover · Account Deactivated

Sorry to hear of this incident. Poor Charlie and poor you. Sad

I have pulled off other dogs before, but obviously I risk being caught in the crossfire and have been bitten (not badly) doing so. A good squirt of water can be enough to stop it to, so another good reason to carry one of those portable water bottles I keep meaning to get.

Dog on dog aggression is not taken seriously be the police, but I would report it as you have the number plate and say you wish to claim vet fees. I would report it to the dog warden though, so they are aware of the dog.

I would be upbeat about it, don't fuss him, treat it like any normal day. If you know any steady German Shepherds, then it may be helpful to socialise with them too, but as he is older and well socialised up till now, I would not expect you to have a problem as long as you don't make a big deal out of it (with Charlie - I'd make a big deal out if it with the police and dog warden though Wink

)

Hope he's back to his normal self soon.
regards
Jenny

Amandajvv · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 5:44 pm Post subject:

Oh my word!! What a horrible traumatic experience for all of you.

I am utterly enraged and shocked that the owner could just sit in the car like that, not say anything. How about a 'are you ok'? I'm glad your babies are ok though.

I'd be in a right mind to report them as the dog could have easily attacked you. Do you have any bite marks or anything?

As for traumatising Charlie I think that it will have more to do with the 'language' the other dogs display than how they look. Off the mark dogs can sense if the other dog is a potential threat or to be wary. He is definitely going to be wary but once he sees the other dog means no harm he'll be ok. The thing is not to make a big deal out of it. Not to be too tense and afraid of the other dogs as Charlie will sense that in you.

I hope you bump into that person again and them a piece of your mind! I am shocked that people are so irresponsible and downright rude!

Hope you're all ok!

Goldentouch · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 5:46 pm Post subject:

Thats horrible to hear! How could that man just ignore you when his dog was obviously causing harm to both you and Charlie! Evil or Very Mad

I hope both you and Charlie get over the shock of it all soon. Im really sorry to hear about this and hope Charlie isnt taken to back from it all and he still socialises with your parents alsation.
Poor Soul Smile

Cristina · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 5:48 pm Post subject:

Awwwwww...poor Charlie!! Sad

Doesn't sound like there was much that you could have done, well done to izzie for chasing the dog off.

I can't believe that the dogs owner just sat in the car! Shocked

Another totally irresponsible owner. Evil or Very Mad

Not sure if there is anything you can do? The police probably won't want to know and without a name and address then the dog warden won't be able to do much either, although you could phone them and make them aware of the dog and where it is walked?

Poor charlie, I hope he isn't nervous of dogs now, your mum having a german shepherd could be helpful as you could re-introduce him to it slowly to help him get over it?

let us know how is he doing Wink

CharlieBrewer · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 5:51 pm Post subject:

Hi!

Thanks for your replies - we are all fine, beginning to calm down and Charlie is feeling less sorry for himself now!! Wink

I dont have any bite marks, a few scratches but nothing more - the same with Charlie, no blood was drawn or anything so thats one positive I guess...

I will report the dog to the warden though, to be honest I had not thought of that - and I will obviously keep my eye out for him again - and the owner, had Charlie not been in such a state I think I would certainly have said something at the time but I was more worried about my babies and getting them back in the car that giving the owner a piece of my mind! Evil or Very Mad

Rosie, my Mums GSD is very sociable and a true friend of Charlies so I will let them have a good play tomorrow and still take him back to the same field so that he doesnt get a phobia toward the field, bless poor little Charlie - I honestly think he could not believe this dog was being so nasty to him!!

I am very proud of Izzie though, she is only little herself far smaller than Charlie so to fight off the GSD was no mean feat....think that they deserve a special dinner this evening! Wink

Thanks again for your words of support.... Smile

Kev · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 7:06 pm Post subject:

Hi Sarah

Sorry to hear about your traumatic experience,unfortunatly dog owners like this exist and you have to be on your guard from them.

I think it's all been said regarding Charlie's further introduction to other dogs and I'm sure he'll be fine if you follow the advice given.

However, I would like to add something regarding the Dog Warden. I suggest you contact your local Dog Warden and give them the full details including the car registration,if this is passed to the police they will be able to identify the owner and obtain their name and address.The Dog Warden can then go round and give the owner a ticking off.There is also the DDA(Dangerous Dog Act) to consider,depends how far you want to take it really.

Anyway I hope you have a peaceful evening and the incident hasn't upset you or Charlie,not forgetting brave Izzie too much.

Keep us posted on how Charlie is getting on.

megaloo · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 7:12 pm Post subject:

HI
I am so sorry to hear about Charlie. I am sure it is worth mentioning to the police and dog warden. I myself reading what you say,feel that the the owner of the dog had not got it under control and this is now quite aserious thing. Hope you are all feeling better Regards Meg

oscar2005 · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 8:10 pm Post subject:

hi, sorry to hear about that experience. We had a similar experience a few weeks back but ocsar was only 14 weeks old. We had oscar by the collar as he was sniffing a staff bull terrier and trying to lick and jump him and all of a sudden the dog bit oscar and he yelped. I was not impressed and gave the owner a talking to as she just walked off and didn't even apologise or ask if he was ok. We didn't think he was injured until we got him home and he had blood dripping from his nose - love him.
I must admit, i aplaude you for not shouting at the owner i think i would have, it's good to stay calm in that situation.
I probably would report it as he may do that again to another dog!!!! I can't believe he could just sit there and watch, not being funny no loving dog owner could stand there and watch a dog rip another one to shreds!!!!
Hope he's feeling ok and gotten over his shock.

NicolaL · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 10:25 pm Post subject:

Hi Sarah

I'm so sorry to hear about this - it must have been awful for you and I do hope you're all feeling better now.

Please give Charlie and Izzie a big hug from me and Smudgey.

All the best,
Nic
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