Owner Risks His Life To Save His Dog...

Kudos to the owner who risked his life to save his dog from a vicious attack by two unknown dogs…makes you think, what would you do in the same situation:

https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/3108322...on-top-of-his-dog-during-vicious-attack/#play

Dogs’ owner at this point is unknown. I expect there will be an action against owner when found and possible outcome against his dogs.

Years back when I had a dog, she was attacked by some dog which also came from nowhere and jumped on her. It was her frightened yelping which alerted me. As he was about to readjust his bite around her neck, I took the chance of grabbing the dog by the tail, violently yanking him off her before throwing him aside I was so furious.

The dog owner’s protests were soon drowned out by bystanders including myself before he and his dog quietly slunk away.

This happened at a time when we didn’t have the animal laws that are now in place (which if we had I would have taken legal action against him and his dog!).

I have zero tolerance when it comes to badly managed animals or owners lacking discipline for their charges that may endanger/threaten other animals whether owned or living wild in parks.

 

The guy tried lifting and removing his dog from attack but got knocked down by the dogs. So he took the only avenue available to protect his companion while he was in a defensive position on the ground.

Tend to agree with you here…even though the victim was a reasonably large dog, coming as a pack of two gave them the strength plus the advantage of a surprise attack.

Yes. I viewed him as sadistic to allow his animal to behave in such an aggressive manner…it smacks of persons who enjoy “dog fights” or simply watching a dog getting savaged.

Depending on how good the friendship she'll need to find a tactful manner to address the situation to avoid a possible future occurrence.

My immediate concern would be what if it was an infant? Much as I absolutely adore German Shepherds – also having owned one – could that animal be trusted around vulnerable persons and children?

Dog attack occurrences and consequent actions can only be considered on a case by case basis depending on circumstances (e.g. relationship between neighbour and animal; perhaps she had an unfamiliar scent causing the dog not to recognise her scent; prior interaction between neighbour and dog; there’s a long list of other considerations to be taken into account).

Regarding the friend relationship, there is still a need for a clear understanding and warning to be put in place to avoid any possible future tragedy (either to a person/child being bitten and outcome of animal being removed and possibly put down depending on event – this also depending on type of animal laws for the area/State/Country).

Future like situations should be avoided. Friendships for me cannot be exempt from some sort of friendly alert as a minimum if not serious damage. Circumstances leading to severity of outcome are considered. Sometimes police will step in and there lies an action.

I can only offer an example to explain my thoughts when it comes down to a friend’s dog:

I have friend who owns a Staffordshire Bull Terrier mixed with a Boxer. I love the dog and we enjoy a close friendship. During my visits, it always leans against me wherever I sit, following me around and obeys my commands (using selective hearing with its owners unless yelled at).

One day, my friend called panicking because while her son was walking the dog (off leash) in a park, it had run off, grabbed another dog (Maltese Terrier) by the scruff of the neck and stopped shaking it only when the Terrier's owner started beating it off. The son abused the owner for beating his animal before leaving the park with the dog.

After taking the other owner took her dog to the vet for stitches etc., she reported the incident to local Council.

Consequently, a Park Ranger came to serve a maximum fine on my friend’s son, requesting she and the son attend the office to discuss the matter as the other owner was intending to take further legal action against her (as owner) and the dog. Luckily, for the son and my friend, the police had not been called…yet.

My first reaction upon hearing her tale was to tell her, had I been the other owner, I would have taken action of some sort and if required, also presented her with the vet bill(s) - the Terrier was in a bad way.

Dependent on extent of the other dog’s injury, if not severe, it would have stopped the dog’s removal upon mandatory condition her dog go through behavioural training.

She was shocked by my response. However, she listened to my justification that I could not stand by to have my animal badly savaged without responding. Consequences would be dire had the attack been against a baby or small child.

She went to some lengths to explain it was her son (one who is somewhat mentally challenged) walking the dog at the time. I then understood the situation. He was not competent enough to be walking or in proper control of the dog which could provide some defence.

The Park Ranger and other dog owner made aware of these facts softened the impact, to just a maximum fine which the son could make by stepped payments (as he couldn’t afford full fine payment) along with conditions:

• The dog had to undergo behaviour training.
• The son was never allowed to walk the dog alone again. He would have to be accompanied with another responsible adult;
• the dog had to be muzzled whenever out walking and
• was banned from that park.

While the owner carried the vets bills, another condition stipulated if there were a second similar occurrence where the son alone walked the dog or if the dog with a responsible adult again attacked another animal regardless of location; then depending how severe the injuries, there may be legal action with possibility the dog removed and at worse destroyed.

For me, friends still have to be accountable for their charges to prevent harm else take the consequences – I would expect the same penalties imposed if I were in their shoes.

While consideration lies in case by case basis and circumstances – owners are still accountable.

 

Agree. I’ve also seen a dog jump to its owner’s defence (a kid getting bullied) which nipped the attacker then stood snarling between bully and kid in a protective mode until someone stepped in. The kid’s complaints fell on deaf ears with the interceptor threatening to put assault charges against the bully. The bully then sullenly walked away.

Agree. I’ve had this happen to me when I had a dog (while friendly) was selective who she’d allow to approach her. I found it annoying whenever people almost expected me to allow their dogs to obnoxiously and aggressively greet mine when my dog’s body language screamed “go away”. https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo23.gif

Whenever this occurred, I’d continue walking at a fast pace, placing myself between the dogs to break contact while politely excusing myself to the owner. If their dog was off leash, I’d not hesitate to let out a low growl while stomping a foot on the ground then snapping “go to mom/dad”. I found this tends to stop the dog in its tracks which then returns to their owner.https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo7.gif

It boils down to simple courtesies between dog owners and how they manage their dogs.