Rottie attacked by unleashed dog, yet is blamed?

[IceKaya]

In my opinioun the little dogs owners are sure to blame for this incident but no entirely because a ten year old girl can not handle this situation, what if the other dog had been a bigger dog, another rottie maybe? I would never let a child so young walk my rottie, they are so strong even at such young age. The youngest person who has walked my dog was 18 years old.

[BarryD]

I think in BrianG's defence it's a case of old habits die hard. I bet his daughter has always walked the dog, and as the family are so used to the dog being well behaved for them, you can kinda forget that outside, it's a different ball game. My pup is only 8 weeks old, but my 13 yr old daughter isn't going to be walking the dog ever by herself, because we know how powerful these amazing dogs can be.

At the end of the day, both parties were to blame, but one more than the other, and it's irresponsible dog owners that feel they don't need to put a lead on their dog that gives rotties the bad press when something happens...

[BrianG]

Quote from BarryD "I think in BrianG's defence it's a case of old habits die hard. I bet his daughter has always walked the dog, and as the family are so used to the dog being well behaved for them, you can kinda forget that outside, it's a different ball game. My pup is only 8 weeks old, but my 13 yr old daughter isn't going to be walking the dog ever by herself, because we know how powerful these amazing dogs can be"

This was exactly the case- she has been seen walking and has "appeared" to have handled him well till the incident almost 2 weeks ago.
Its been a bit since I've checked and certainly like the variety of opinions, one of the main reasons for having this form.

Update:
It's been almost 2 weeks and the 10 days of quarantine have passed and I've started walking my dog with my daughter in tow, as was brought up by someone in the post.
We've had no contact till last night when the owner's husband came and spoke with my wife (he was gone during the incident and back yesterday) he was very calm and basically asked if we'd cover 70 percent of the bill due to his daughters being tramatized because of the damage to their dog. She told him she'd have to talk with me, but the most they would get would be 1/2. She also informed him of the breeder's involvement and her nastiness and she was the reason we retracted the offer and also that I had come by to offer to pay the same day of the incident. Now here's the kicker, the husband is gone for another 2 weeks and leaves my wife a phone to call his wife to discuss what they'd talked about. After hearing this, I told her I'd talk to him in 2 weeks and go from there.

[winnie22]

Don't pay anything, let them answer to their dogs behavior in court.

[Anne]

I would be retracting my offer to pay half the bill. Your daughter was also traumatised and the incident would not have happened had they had their dog on lead. This dog bit your dog and your dog defended itself.

I'd tell them to get lost and in future to keep their dog under control and on lead.

a simular incident happened to me with a small bull terrier there are no leash laws in the uk as there are in the states so didnt have that on my side, this dog came out of nowhere up to my 3year male who is very dog agressive i see this as not my fault and i told the owner this my dog was on a lead. unfortunatly its another example of the rottie's unfair stigma

[BarryD]

Even though a lot of people say your daughter shouldn't be walking the dog, this unleashed dog has now brought up the fact that your daughter can now no longer walk the dog unattended, so surely she feels distressed about this too? If the other owners had their dog on a lead, then the daughters would not be in a position to be distressed.

In other words, due to someone's ignorance on lead/leash laws, a worse situation has arised. I think, even though I wouldn't myself, that offering half of the costs is a gesture of goodwill, and makes you more of the man to do so. If they don't accept it, then let them take you to court. At the end of the day, unless there is an actual law saying a girl of your daughters age cannot walk a dog, it is them who have broken the law by not having their dog on a lead, and the judge will go by the law that has been broken...

[my guy]

My poor George has been attacked 2 time by little buff balls..one of the times I needed to take him to the vets.... So now I report every dog off leash big or small and I DON'T care what people think of me or my dog.I only care about the safety of my boy..