Attacked by a Loose Labrador

[Miabella]

I've waited a couple days to post this, because I was sooo angry about it. On Sunday evening, my husband and I took our dogs out for a walk down to the park. I was walking Mia the Rottie, and my husband had the Beagle. On the next block up from ours, we passed a house with a decorative wrought iron outer door with large spaces. The inner main wooden door was open, and behind the wrought iron was a barking and snarling Labrador. This is a city neighborhood with rowhouses. As we walked by, my dogs gave the Lab a glance, but then we just kept walking without showing any big interest. I could hear that the dog was continuing to bark and growl, but we kept walking until we were about 3 or 4 houses away. Then I heard a big ruckus and the Labrador came charging out of the yard full speed.

I placed myself between the oncoming dog and Mia and stomped and made scary noises. Whatever, the dog just charged around me and launched himself at Mia's throat. Of course, Mia had him on the ground in a split second (you go, big girl! :D ). I then reached in and grabbed the offender by the collar, and of course he bit me. As I was reaching in, I knew I was risking a bite, but I was willing to take it to get that cur away from my dog.

So I handed off Mia to my husband and dragged the beast back to his house. The owner, of course, was an idiot. "Geez, he's never done that before", "I guess those are pretty big spaces between the wrought iron". I called Animal Control to report the incident, because I have to walk by this house to get to the park. I don't want this monster coming out everytime we walk by.

But how do you fend off an aggressive loose dog? If I was alone and walking both of my dogs, I don't know how I could have handled the situation. Any suggestions?

[Vivianne]

Pepper Spray

IMO - If it will work on someone who's going to attack me, then I wouldn't hesitate to use it on a dog that is growling, snarling chasing me and my dog down the block, or has every intention of biting me or my dog.

It clips to your belt, and it's always handy.

[Roscoe's dad]

Someone once suggested an air horn like you would use on a boat. That sounded like the most humane method.

[Miabella]

Is it easy to aim? I'm afraid I might accidentally shoot myself or one of my dogs!

[LORHEL]

You can get air horns at hunting stores, even walmarts, etc..

Yes they are very small and can fit in your pocket or whatever you carry ..... people use them at sporting games, although I believe the type they use are alot bigger, but it makes VERY SHARP loud noise, and anyone able to hear it is going to back off, especially a dog who it probably would hurt their ears.

Its better than pepper spray, and safer that you getting in to play referee which can be dangerous as you just learned.

I hate neighborhood walking for this very reason. Unfortunately, we have to deal with other peoples problems all the time.

Good luck, I hope you were not hurt too bad, nor your doggie..:)

[roccorottie]

I agree that Pepper Spray is good, but for some dogs it only pisses them off (though I don't suspect a Lab is one such breed). It can be hard to aim, but you could practice a bit away from others - the nozzles are fairly accurate but most don't have a range worth a damn beyond 10', so you have to ensure your dogs don't step in and get sprayed as well. Maybe have your husband hold your dogs as the loose dog approaches and you be ready to spray.

I have to say, as we live in crowded So Cal, that this just irks me to no end. We have leash laws for dogs not confined within their property and it amazes me how many idiots are oblivious. A quick story:We had a young couple on our street (they recently moved, thank God) who would constantly let their Shepherd mixes run up and down the street. When I confronted the guy about it, he said his dogs listen well and he called them over to prove his point. I told him he needs to leash them as we have small kids on our street and other small dogs who are out being walked. He blew me off. He continued to let them run across everyone's front yard, defecate on the yards (no cleaning it up either!) and basically run the street. All of us complained to Animal Control, but they only sent warning letters and never once stopped by.

Well, one day his dogs are out running and along comes a guy who I haven't seen before walking on leash his pit bull. A nice dog too...as you can imagine these two mixes stormed right over and started circling the pit and his owner. The one dog got right into the pit's space and WHAM! The pit grabbed this loose mutt and proceeded to sweep the sidewalk with it, while the other dog ran for the hills. This poor mix was in such a hold and the owner still had the pit bull on his leash! Talk about responsible!! Hell, I was half tempted to yell out and encourage the bulldog, but just came out as a witness to this (should he need one). The young kid who I lectured previously came out screaming, "get your nasty pit bull off my dog!" I just grinned...we used a piece of wood for a makeshift breaking stick and got the pit to let go. In reality, he was just holding and shaking...he never lost his hold on that mix's neck. And that mix was exhausted...

The kid was yelling that he'd sue and have the pit bull put down...it was too funny. I even took pics with my camera showing his dogs running off lead...he knew he was the dummy. The stupidity of some people amazes me.This guy probably never even thought of his dogs getting into a scrap due to being off-leash.

We never saw his dogs loose out front after that. I never got that guy's name, but if I see him again, I'll thank him...on behalf of the neighborhood.

[Chester'sMom]

2 years ago my daughter was bitten by a pittbull-mix. He almost took a whole chunk out of her stomach! My husband picked him up & threw him down the hill. After getting back from the ER, the owners pleaded with us. We gave in & agreed to coverage of med-expenses & the dog to be removed from the neighborhood (have him with family in the country). Well, we never saw a dime.
--- Our neighbor here has a Chow (rescue), who runs all over the neighborhood. He is everybody's protector. "Bear" walks our kids to the bus-stop; escorts the elderly on their walks & nobody enters our cul-de-sac without us being notified! Anyway, a few months ago, 3 pittbulls broke out and came into our circle & attacked "Bear", shredding him. My husband ran & got in the middle of it. Scared to death, I called the police and ran right after him with a baseball bat. Together we managed to get those 3 dogs away from Bear and tied them up. By then our other neighbors were outside as well, ready to jump in (one lady with her 38!) My hubby was bleeding all over. Again, the owners pleaded for their lives in exchange for med-expenses and new clothing for hubby. Yeah, you guessed it: We never saw a dime, neither did our neighbor for her vet-costs. She filed a suit, but those bums moved & nobody knows where they are. --- To make a long story (sorry about that) short, we've had our share of obnoxious owners of vicious dogs. Don't let it go! As far as advice for loose dogs like that: No idea. Be thankful your husband was with you. Carrying a bat shouldn't be an option. However, I would probably take some spray with me. Just in case. Isn't that awful? We shouldn't have to do that! --- I am happy that you guys are mostly okay. Again: Don't let it go!

[Miabella]

Hi everybody,

Thanks for all the great advice. I think I will get an airhorn, because I am a little afraid that I will end up panicking and spraying myself in the face with the pepper spray. For the last couple days, I have been carrying a riding crop (short horse whip) with me.

Mia was unharmed, and although my hand was bruised and swollen where I was bitten, the skin was barely broken. I did make a report to Animal Control, but I chose not to press charges this time because there was no lasting damage done. These people are new to the neighborhood, so I am willing to give them one chance to get their act together. I live in a very dog friendly neighborhood, and I just wanted it to be on file in case this dog does this again.

[roccorottie]

One other thing I left off: anytime your dog is out enjoying its walk and has a run-in with another dog where your dog(s) get attacked and possibly injured, it can have an adverse effect on how your dogs perceive other dogs in the future.

So while your dogs might be great with other dogs and proper supervision, a few "loose dog attacks" (especially where your dogs gets the brunt of things), can cause suspicion in your dog regarding other dogs...and I'm sure you've worked hard (as most of us do) to socialize all your dogs to other animals.

Just something to think about and another reason to not let it slide...

Thanks.

[Miabella]

You make a good point, roccorottie, and one that I have considered. I have had issues in the past with Mia putting on a show while on leash for dogs that challenge her. This is an issue that I have worked a lot on, and we have gotten to the point where she looks to me for direction and seems to have confidence that I can handle the situation. I just hope that this incident did not betray her trust. :( That is also part of the reason why I was so quick to reach in and risk the bite. I did not want her to have to defend herself and see me as her failed leader.

So I'm not sure what the long term behavioral effects of this will be. She seemed excited after it happened, not frightened. When I came back, she was wagging her stub and prancing around. The entire altercation probably lasted less than 2 seconds from the time the dog arrived to the time I pulled him away.

[Chester'sMom]

I admire your intention. Still, I wouldn't let it go. Dogs like that need more than attention. Roccorottie had a good point, but they also pointed out "Don't let it slide"! Sorry, I admire you for giving them another chance. At the same time I don't - probably because we got burned too many times. It's not about the money, the insurance or etc. It's about responsibility. BTW: This is the first time I learned about a Labrador doing cr** like that. ---
This reminds me of "Kai" on this board. "He's never done this before"! "He's never done that before"! ---Sorry, JMHO---

[codglvr]

I would not let it slide if it were me. After Balder's and my last walk, I am now taking him out at different times of day and in different directions. Before we even made it two blocks into the field behind our neighborhood, we were ran up on by two different dogs not on leash in front of their houses. You guessed it, the owners couldn't call them back. In the field we were almost ran over by a bicyclist, and on the way back from our walk, we were ran up on by two other dogs off leash in the park, whose owners couldn't call them back. The only good thing that happened the whole walk was we met a woman who had a beautifully trained heinz 57 mix that asked if our dogs could meet, and properly met Balder. The dogs did great. Balder and I were both exhausted from a shortened walk. If I would have had my phone I would have called them all in. They wouldn't have hesitated if it had been my dog. :(

[LORHEL]

Unfortunately, we have mostly resorted to late night walks, well after the the action is indoors....I still walk early in the morning too, or either after 9... you can avoid some of the problems...

I'd rather deal with loose cats, and rabbits then the dogs running at us...after I "returned" the last one who followed us home snarling the whole way, I said no more free rides, next time I call.

I have called before, but not on this one particular neighbor, it has happened twice, its not the dog, its their lack of watching it..

:(

[CarolineS]

About a month ago, Dresden was attacked by two GSD crosses. These dogs were being walked together, both on leashes, and they pulled the person walking them (petsitter) across the road and attacked Dresden.

Dresden was very lame after the attack so I took her to the vet and left a note for the owner at her house. I didn't report it to Animal Control either, for the same reasons as you. They were new to the neighbourhood and I assumed anyone who'd go to the expense of having their dogs walked everyday by a petsitter must be a responsible owner. WRONG!!

She never called me so I went to her house. The only assurance she'd give me that it wouldn't happen again was to say she'd make sure the petsitting company owner would walk the dogs because "she could hang on to them". I told her the attack was unprovoked and she implied I was lying. I asked her to pay my vet bill, she said she had no money and would pay me later. Guess what, no money has appeared.

My vet bills are now over $400 and she hasn't called to see how my dog is. I, in turn, did call Animal Control, even though it was a couple of weeks after the attack. I explained I was trying to be neighbourly and work it out between us and that was why I hadn't reported it the same day. Animal Control didn't have a problem with that and filed a report. I have documented everything, sent the owner two letters, the last requesting payment of my bills in 30 days. I am fully prepared to take her to small claims court at the end of 30 days. I will not back down on this. I am sick to death of my dogs being attacked by loose and ignorant dogs, who are usually owned by equally ignorant owners.

As to what to carry to help prevent this...my obedience instructor told me to carry an automatic umbrella. I actually had cause to use it the other day. A loose Sharpei charged at Dresden and I had my umbrella with me because it was threatening rain. As the dog got close, I popped open the umbrella right in her face and then fended her off with it. I don't know if she was scared or confused by it all, but she backed right off. Needless to say, the ignorant owner just stood there watching all of this.

[Rott'n'lab Mom]

Originally posted by CarolineS

As to what to carry to help prevent this...my obedience instructor told me to carry an automatic umbrella. I actually had cause to use it the other day. A loose Sharpei charged at Dresden and I had my umbrella with me because it was threatening rain. As the dog got close, I popped open the umbrella right in her face and then fended her off with it. I don't know if she was scared or confused by it all, but she backed right off. Needless to say, the ignorant owner just stood there watching all of this. [/b]

But will waving an automatic umbrella have worked two weeks ago when a very dog aggressive Great Dane by the name of Diablo was literally foaming at the mouth and charged at full gallop at my Bella who I had on leash on a routine walk?

When Diablo charged toward her I initially stepped in front and yelled NO! at the monster. He nearly ran me over before I realized this guy is a fully grown Great Dane and I stepped aside at the last second.

Bella and I were equally terrified. She yelped repeatedly and I screamed at the top of my lungs and yet Diablo lunged at her over and over. Fortunately Bella hardly got hurt because she's too submissive to fight back and she's fairly agile and put all the dodges she does in play to good use for real.

What do you do if you were me?