Massachusetts attack

[dr0wningless0n5]

my parents were at a rabies clinic with their 3 sheps who are not socialized well with other dogs. They were outside at the truck waiting for the vet to come by when some lady with a small breed comes walking by. well, she had gotten to close with the small dog to the sheps and the female who hates other dogs mauled her and killed her. the sheps are socialized with people very well but other dogs not so much. the town has had problems with pitts before and myself being a responsible rotty owner id hate to see anything happen with bsl. the lady at first said she wasnt going to do anything, then it turns out my parents had to start paying her for the damages done to avoid court, now she has an article in the paper and shes having them go infront of the town selectmen this week. article in the paper says shes an aggressive dog and the town should decide what to do so this doesnt happen to another dog or person again... this shep has the sweetest disposition just hates little animals. just hope the town doesnt decide to hit hard on both my parents and trying to bring down some crazy laws on bsl.

[jlaack]

my parents were at a rabies clinic with their 3 sheps who are not socialized well with other dogs. They were outside at the truck waiting for the vet to come by when some lady with a small breed comes walking by. well, she had gotten to close with the small dog to the sheps and the female who hates other dogs mauled her and killed her. the sheps are socialized with people very well but other dogs not so much. this shep has the sweetest disposition just hates little animals.

Well, shame on your parents from not preventing this VERY avoidable incident. They had NO BUSINESS taking their dog to something like a rabies clinic where hordes of dogs can get cheap rabies shots without paying for the vet visit. At the very least the dog should have had a muzzle on. I have an elder dog who has become rather grumpy in old age about strange dogs and is still very capable of injuring another animal. It is MY responsibility as an owner to ensure that he never does.

[Nishasmom]

It is very sad that this happened. It seems to me like your mother cannot properly control her dog. This dog is a dangerous dog, and either needs intense training or euthanasia in order to keep other peoples pets safe.

Knowing that the dog is dog aggressive you mother could have done a lot to prevent this accident. For one, the dog could have been crated while going to the vet. Two, it could have been muzzled. Three, she should have only had ONE dog with her at a time. She could have warned the other lady not to come close. There were so many precautions that were just ignored. It is sad that the little dog had to die because of someone's negligence .

Oh and I didn't notice what jlaack pointed out....a rabies clinic! Are you kidding...this dog should have been at a vet and not at a public EVENT . It is people like that that cause BSL.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by dr0wningless0n5

my parents were at a rabies clinic with their 3 sheps who are not socialized well with other dogs. They were outside at the truck...when some lady with a small breed comes walking by....she had gotten to close with the small dog to the sheps and the female who hates other dogs mauled her and killed her....just hope the town doesnt decide to hit hard on both my parents and trying to bring down some crazy laws on bsl.

Your parents brought three big dogs that you acknowledge are poorly socialized around other dogs to a public event loaded with other dogs. One of your parents' out-of-control dogs mauls and kills a small dog innocently walking by with its owner and you have the gaul to complain.

Your hutzpah is breathtaking.

Your parents deserve to have the book thrown at them for bringing their dangerous dogs in public.

[dr0wningless0n5]

yes i do agree with you guys fully my rottie and my min pin both are very well socialized and both go to the vet to get shots not some 10 dollar rabies clinic i try everything to get them to listen but its no no these dogs are fine you dont know what youre talking about yet its always oohhhh how do you get your dogs to listen so good

the thing is they were outside next to their truck the vet came outside to give the shots they werent inside with the dogs at all i do know it is their fault but you guys being rottie owners know first hand im sure because i get this myself people totally avoid us walking down the street or even in pet stores for that matter why shouldnt that be different with any big dog?

[harleychik66]

I guess I really don't understand what you are trying to say. In your first post you state you hope the city doesn't come down to hard on your parents. In the next you question why it shouldn't be different for any large dog.

People walk on the other side of the street, because people like your parents have poorly mannered and ill trained dogs. This places a seed of doubt in peoples minds and they assume/fear that all big SUPPOSEDLY aggressive breeds are the same.

I don't know the whole story, only what you have stated. Perhaps the lady with the small dog didn't use as much caution as she could have, however it in no way excuses the horrible actions of your parents dog.

My heart goes out to this poor poor lady who lost her dear beloved companion due to stupidity on another owners part. (your parents) If I were in the owners shoes who lost her dog, you can bet I would hope they threw the book and a whole lot more at the person who caused my dogs demise.

I have a fear reactive GSD mix. My husband and I know what her limitations are. Surely your parents should have known the same.

It's owners just like your parents who are the cause of BSL and people fearing these breeds.

[SaschasPet]

I guess I don't quite understand how your parents allowed that GSD to get down there and get a hold of that dog?! Knowing that the dog has a dog issue why was it not in the truck, on a leash or have a muzzle on? Or better yet if they saw the owner with the little dog was getting too close whey did they not move further away?! It's their responsibility to keep their dog(s) under control! Having a fear reactive / dog reactive dog myself this hits home with me and gets me fired up. We work VERY hard with Sascha to keep her within her safe limits and work hard training with her to try to help her with this issue. Then your parents knowing full well the problems with these dogs do absolutely nothing to try to train them. I'm sorry but it was their fault and if the GSD is that aggressive then perhaps it should be put down if they are not willing to go the distance and work with the dogs.

[Jenny K]

I'm confused as to why you would think that your parents shouldn't be help accountable for this? It is extremely frustrating to the rest of us when people who are irresponsible with their dogs allow things like this to happen and give all of our large dogs a bad rep.

To me this sounds avoidable - why is a dog aggressive dog at a public event? How about crate for restraint, leash and collar, or better yet a cage muzzle if you do have to have a dog like this in public? I know many people think it is their right to parade their dog aggressive dog around other people and pets without a muzzle or a care for anyone else, but it is not. And a cage muzzle is not mean, especially when something like this could have been prevented.

Or better yet, train and socialize and don't put the dog in a situation it and the owners can't handle. I understand some dogs can have issues that are very difficult to deal with but as an owner you have to be responsible!

Being someone who owns a rottie and a chi, I can definately say that if it was my little dog that was eaten by someone's out of control loose dog, while I was walking her on a leash doing nothing wrong, you can bet I would be holding the owners accountable.

[Steelerfan]

I can't see how the poor lady with the dead dog could get "too close" in a public area. Three GSDs that can't be trusted with other dogs is a disaster waiting to happen, and exactly why bsl happens.

[Katoman]

I agree with everyone. Honestly, what kind of response did you expect to get from people on this site, most of which are responsible dog owners? I don't have a small dog, but I would be LIVID if my rottie was attacked in a fashion like this where it could have been prevented.

[tburnettt]

"the thing is they were outside next to their truck the vet came outside to give the shots they werent inside with the dogs at all i do know it is their fault but you guys being rottie owners know first hand im sure because i get this myself people totally avoid us walking down the street or even in pet stores for that matter why shouldnt that be different with any big dog?[/QUOTE]"

Sooo... it was the responsibility of this lady to know she should stay away from the dogs? Your parents should have said when they saw her approaching to stay back because the dogs will most likely attack.
I do not care what kind of dog it is, it is the responsibility of the owner to know their dogs and CONTROL them!
Things happen but this was negligent every which way you look at it. Your parents are lucky to be getting off so easily. I have a Rott and a Yorkie and can tell you if that would have been my little dog... they had better watch out.

[jlhnokc]

I have a small dog-she weighs about 12 pounds and if someone elses dog attacked and killed her you're damn right I would make the owners pay and pay big. And I hope the town makes an example out of your parents and enforces the laws they should currently have instead of trying to make new ones.