Dog Attack - BE RESPONSIBLE

[shane_c]

I am posting this for my fiancee. Her and our 4 month old Siberian Husky were attacked last night by an off leash German Shephard while out for a walk. A bylaw officer is supposed to come by today to get a statement. I feel bad for not being there when this was happening. I would have beat the living **** out of that dog for what it has done. I certainly hope that this dog gets put down and the owners charged and that they cover our vet expenses. So please be responsible and not a ****ing *******.DOG ATTACKINVERNESS PONDOn 12 October 2006 (Thursday) at approximately 8pm. I took my 4 month old puppy to Inverness Pond as I do most evenings to walk and jog. About halfway around the pond I saw two dogs (German Shepard and Lab) in the distance that WERE NOT LEASHED. As I got closer to the dogs that were quiet a distance from the individuals responsible for them, the Shepard attacked my puppy. Caught in the middle and trying to free my puppy that was being continuously bitten, I fell and also received bites to my hand. My puppy spent the night at the animal hospital and was treated for a serious puncture/bite and must be treated for several days.I am telling my story to URGE ALL DOG OWNERS IN MACKENZIE TOWNE TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND KEEP YOUR DOG(S) ON A LEASH AT ALL TIMES. (SEE BYLAW # 23M 2006 – RESPECTING THE REGULATION, LICENCING AND CONTROL OF ANIMALS IN THE CITY OF CALGARY) I CONSTANTLY SEE UNLEASHED DOGS IN THIS AREA. IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. IF YOU WANT YOUR DOG TO RUN FREELY TAKE IT TO A DESIGNATED OFF LEASH AREA. IF YOU SEE AN UNLEASHED DOG - REPORT IT.

[Mavrik]

yeah I hear ya... if some uncontrolled dog attacked mine I would kill it right then and there. Those people need to be charged for their lack of responsability and also should pay for your vet bill.Hope your puppy and your fiance recover quickly.

[drunkenmaxx]

that sucks, my little pooch would have been a goner for sure against a german sheppard.i hope the idiots responsible are put through the ringer.

[KNINE]

I own two german shepherds. The only time they are allowed off leash is within the confines of my fenced in yard. Outside the yard, they are always leashed. They are not agressive dogs, but I understand what could happen. I would never want another person, or animal injured because I was not a responsible dog owner.

[silver_vibe]

Quote, originally posted by K-NINE »...They are not agressive dogs...Don't rely on that...I have two of the most gentle dogs on earth (even the Pit Bull mix). I trust mine 100% around people. I have no doubt that they would never hurt a human being intentionally (I say intentionally because they have accidentally knocked kids down when playing). My dogs never leave my yard - luckily it's big enough so they can run around.One time, my bro-in-law brought over his Jack Russell Terrier and one of my dogs flipped out - it looked like she'd attack it if given the opportunity...so, you never know.

[Mrizzle05]

True with silver_vibe... my aunt had two dogs when i was lil.everyone of my cuzns were playing with them... then they want me to go, "OK" and one comes up and licks me... the other from behind snaps at my leg adn i still have 2 puncture scars from that.After that i saw them like 3 years later adn they were perfectly fine around me. so you just never know.

[VforVIBE]

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the world of animals. They don’t think the way humans do, they are not evil, and no matter how much you think you can domesticate them, they still have urges to hunt and to protect their territory. These urges cannot be broken, it’s in their blood. It disgusts me how narrow-minded people can be some times, ‘you hurt me, so I’ll kill you’. Punish the owner(s), but putting down or beating an animal for doing what comes naturally is WRONG. I’m sorry to hear about your fiancée and your dog, I understand your frustration, I was also attacked by dogs before, and never once did I wish harm on them. But you have to understand, the world is not black and white, it's just different shade of gray.What would you do if your roles were reversed and your dog bit another person/animal?

[shane_c]

Thanks for the replies everyone. It's hard seeing them go through this. The dog has been doing a lot of crying since we brought her back from the animal hospital this morning. My fiance is gone now to get her hand checked out. And sorry about the initial profanity in my first post. I originally posted this on another message board and forgot to take out the bad words when I put it here.

[drunkenmaxx]

if my dog bites you, i will reimburse you for the shoestring.

[shane_c]

I agree that you can't control their urge to hunt, etc. But the dog had my puppy by the throat and then the back. My fiance was trying to get it off our puppy but couldn't because it was out for blood. The owners were still far away. I'm sorry but if I was there I would have done what it takes to get that dog off of mine.

[VforVIBE]

Quote, originally posted by drunkenmaxx »if my dog bites you, i will reimburse you for the shoestring.I'm really short, (s)he might get a little more then that.

[VforVIBE]

Quote, originally posted by shane_c »I agree that you can't control their urge to hunt, etc. But the dog had my puppy by the throat and then the back. My fiance was trying to get it off our puppy but couldn't because it was out for blood. The owners were still far away. I'm sorry but if I was there I would have done what it takes to get that dog off of mine. And this is why I have cats, their bite doesn't kill and you don't have to walk them.

[drunkenmaxx]

i doubt it, here she is in the sink getting a bath:

[VforVIBE]

AWWWWWWWWWW..... what a cute widdle baby... oh, sorry...

[tnpartsguy]

(removed), Quote, originally posted by drunkenmaxx »i doubt it, here she is in the sink getting a bath:Hold onto her tight, and don't turn the water on too hard, she might go down the drain!!!

[jimincalif]

We have a small dog (Boston terrier). His greatest threat is licking people to death. Nevertheless, whenever he leaves the house he is on a leash. Animals are not always predictable. It is not the animal's fault, but the irresponsible owner, as you note.Don't know what the laws are up your way, but here in the states you would probably have to sue for compensation. I don't usually advocate more lawsuits, but if it ever happens to me, I'll sue. I walk for exercise, and more evenings than not I see people out with unleashed dogs. Sometimes the dogs come up to me, sometimes running, and I really don't know what they are going to do. I figure I could always whack the dog with one of the 5lb dumbells I carry when exercising, though it is really the owner who deserves it.

[KNINE]

[QUOTE=silver_vibe]Don't rely on that...Oh, I don't! That's why they're always on leash outside tha yard. The funny thing is that whenever I have them out walking on thr trail in the park, it's alwas the small dogs that want to charge them. If I didn't have them under control it would be disaster!I hope that your family is doing well Shane. Take care!

[CAN-AWD-VIBE]

Wow!!! I hate to hear about this especially knowing that Calgary has A LOT of off leash areas... Southland and Deerfoot all of 10 mins from you.My Lab does go off leash in a designated off leash park. I hate when other people are there though. I dont trust anyone elses dog unless I know the owner personally. I get up at my normal workday time (5:30-6am) and take him for his off leash walk every Sat and Sun.I hope your liitle guy and your wife is ok... the entire time I was reading this I was worried I knew you or the other idiots who cant contain their dogs... I dont. But I still feel bad for you and your fams.They City bylaw guys are good people... I have dealt with them about my neighbors dog and have had great success.Good luck to you

[shane_c]

The bylaw people were too busy to come out so we are giving them a statement by email and including the pictures I took when they got home from the attack. From now on I will not hesitate to confront the owner if I see that their dog is off it's leash.

[2002sportside]

Sorry to hear about the attack. I would never allow my dog off leash, for one thing it's a $50 fine as we have no dog parks. Plus she can frighten easily and she has selective hearing, but mostly because I don't trust other people. When I walk my dog I always have pepper spray with me for whatever might happen. My Sheltie isn't going to stand much of a chance unless it's a licking contest... Pepper spray designed for humans is probably a little strong to use on a dog but it will stop most animals pretty quickly. There is also 'dog repellent' available at most pet stores. Something you may want to consider. Just be careful and try not to get your own dog in the process, should the need to use it ever come up.Hopefully everything works out for you...

[redlava]

That happened to my Father's dog a few years ago. The neighbors dog got out of its fenced in area and was wondering around and ended up attacking his dog, a miniature collie. Tore it up pretty good, but it lived for a while afterward. Never was the same dog though, it had a slight limp and couldn't jump up into the truck anymore. Slightly paranoid about being outside and alone. Ended up dying about six months later.

[shane_c]

Statement and pics have been sent to the bylaw officer. I'll let you know what comes of all this. Vet bill is up around $600 right now and will get a little larger because she has to go back on Wednesday to get things checked out again. I'm not to happy with our city's bylaws. I was told that the dog WILL NOT be put down. Who's dog or child is next??? Also, there is nothing to state that they have to pay our vet bills. I was told that if they decide to then they will but if they don't want to there is no law against it. We would have the option though to take them to small claims court if we so choose. I certainly hope that they come through on the bills but our hopes aren't high since the owner has yet to even call to apologize. FWIW the dogs were with the owners friend.

[ToolGuy]

Oh man, I just saw this! How horrible! I hope your puppy and fiance fully recover from this terrible ordeal.This subject strikes a nerve with me. My neighbor has two cats and she feels they both need to be outside cats and bring them in for the night. Well first off when there is an outdoor cat it now becomes EVERYONE elses cat too! Since they do not stay in their yard! And use other people yards for their crap boxes! Outside cats do not live as long as indoor and for obvious reasons. These cats are not wild animals and need to be indoors. Not to mention all the innocent animals they kill for the sports of it! Total BS! And this neighbor insists on telling my wife and I what they caught. The last was a snake she said, it was thrashing around. I said to my wife the damn snake died of course afterward. I also told my wife the day one is on one of my cars is the day we will not be good neighbors anymore. These two cats do not jump on cars, lucky for them! Two places would not let her adopt cats when she told them they would be outdoor cats. Wonder why?We have one cat and he stays inside. The ONLY time he goes out is when my wife takes him out in his stroller, which is enclosed. People need to think about their actions and letting animals roam outside. Since the animal cannot reason like a human the owner needs to be responsible for it!

[drunkenmaxx]

i know how you feel about the outside cats. one was eyeing up my little pooch the other day when she was in the front yard to pee. i had to keep my eye on the damn thing because it was like twice her size.i hate going to my car in the morning and finding some damn cat's pawprints all over it.

[ashleymc_38]

My lil sister got attacked by 2 dogs within a month. The first time she got bit wasn't really an "attack" but it shouldn't have happened. My mom works at a feed store and a lady brought in a paper to post in the store that she was selling her dog. It wasn't a puppy but it wasn't yet full grown. I forget what kind of dog it was but it didn't sell so she offered to give it to my mom. My mom brought it home and within 20 mins of having it in the house and playing with my lil sisters it grabbed hold of my lil 5 year old sisters face and bit the crap out of it. There was blood everywhere...i felt so bad. So they put it out in the garage after that and gave it back to the lady the next day.Then the next incident happened like a week later. The dog down the street got loose and was wondering around the neighbors backyard. My lil 5 year old sister was on the side of the house and b/c shes friends with the lil girl whose mom owns the dog she was telling the dog to go home (must i remind you that the lady who owns the dog was telling it to come home at the same time). So i dont know if the dog got mixed signals or something but the dog came running up to my lil sister and grabbed a hold of hand and bit the crap out of her hand. My mom took her to the hospital and got x-rays and it so happened that one of the dogs teeth were in her hand and she had to get surgery to get it removed. I dont exactly remembered what happened but i believe the dog got taken away for a while to see how it acted or something by those means.

[slvrvibes]

I hope your fiance and puppy have a good recovery. Makes me mad when I hear things like this. People need to be more responsible for their pets. I always have mine on a leash when I take them outside. Doesn't matter what kind of dog someone has, they should always have them on a leash when out in public. People who let their dogs out without leashes should not be allowed to have them.

[KNINE]

I hope you're not speaking with a cat bias.