Pet owner reports rottweiler attack on trail (Uwchlan, PA)

[Rene Allegrini]

DailyLocal.com

UWCHLAN — A woman from Upper Uwchlan reported that while going for a walk March 11 on the Struble Trail with her two daughters and two dogs, one of her dogs was attacked by a Rottweiler.

Jennifer Catrambone, a teacher at Lionville Middle School, said only quick action by her Jack Russell terrier saved her Sheltie from fatal injuries.

Catrambone said she had entered the trail from Dowlin Forge Road and was walking north when she noticed a young couple approaching with a Rottweiler dog on a leash.

“I had a funny feeling looking at how the girl was holding the dog,” said Catrambone, and she told her 7-year-old twin daughters to stay back.

As she approached the dog, Catrambone said, the woman knelt by the side of the trail and put the dog in a headlock.

When she was abreast of the dog, the Rottweiler broke free and first went for her, she said, but then picked up the Sheltie by the throat and started shaking her.

Catrambone said the owners of the Rottweiler did nothing while she screamed and yelled at the larger dog. At one point, she said, her Sheltie let out an awful cry, and the Jack Russell jumped on the Rottweiler’s back, snarling.

When the Rottweiler lifted his head, Catrambone said, she was able to pull her Sheltie away. The owners of the Rottweiler then regained control of their dog.

A couple who had witnessed the attack then came to her aid, she said. Meanwhile, the couple with the Rottweiler vanished.

Catrambone said her dog had puncture wounds and needed surgery but is doing well now. She said her daughters have been traumatized by the event and she, too, is very fearful. She reported the incident to the Uwchlan Police Department.

“I’m worried about other people who are using the Struble Trail and could be walking their dogs unaware of this dangerous, aggressive dog,” she said.

To contact staff writer Anne Pickering, send an e-mail to apickering@dailylocal.com.

[Gunsey'sMom]

I am really wondering what the whole story is here. This really stinks of incompleteness! Why would someone put their dog in a headlock for no reason? Then not at least ask the woman to pass long ways around if possible if they had to restrain thier dog? And if they were restraining their dog in the first place-dont you think if an incident took place they would DO something to stop it? Maybe maybe not, I was not there and I dont know these people. I would love to hear what the Rottweiler owners have to say.

Am I saying that this incident is excusable, not at all, because that is how articles like the above get written. I would just like to know ALL of what happened. I am sorry for that ladies dogs. She is right, she should not have to fear walking on a hiking trail.

[lovemypuppies]

I must have told this story before...When Ali was a young dog we passed a Jack Russell on our street. There was no posturing on either side. The moment we were in range the Jack bit Ali on the nose! I didn't even realize she was bleeding til we got home. If an unleashed Jack Russell was approaching her now you can be sure I would block her with my body---to protect HER from the terrorist, sorry terrier! PS:aren't hiking trails in the WOODS?

[Baxter's Mom]

PS:aren't hiking trails in the WOODS?

For the most part, yes, but alot are also National Parks, a place for people to relax, walk, and have the "nature feel"... I have a hiking trail behind my community (in the city), it's in the woods, next to the river, has the whole "away from the city feel" so it's used alot... There are always joggers, other dogs of all ages and sizes, people of all ages and sizes, and it's used quite a bit... If I truly want total peace and not see alot of people, I go between the hours of 10am-2pm, if I don't really care, I go after 4pm and it's busy... Unfortunately, these types of "hiking trails" to me, are very similiar to dog parks, although I haven't really had any issues with other dogs there... I've only had one incident were a couple walking 2 golden retrievers almost took Isabella's ear off... The pluses/advantages to me far outway the bad, but even though it's a hiking trail, you still need to be (what we say in the Air Force) " Stay alert, stay alive"...

[lovemypuppies]

Yes, we go by that motto in our parks to I was imagining black bears nosing around. Of course I always assume the Rottie is being unfairly maligned --- and Jack Russell's are maligned to! Several years back a front page story in the Wall Street Journal quoted a Jack breeder saying that if you desire a JRT your first step should be to see a psychiatrist. They were "kidding on the square." As a matter of fact if there WERE bears around I might prefer to have a JRT with me. PS: to the general population, I am in a silly mood so please don't take offense. Needless to say, i really feel bad for the kids and the Sheltie.

[TROYSMYBOY]

Once again we see here an issue of irresponsible pet owners. I know most people are afraid of Rottweilers, more from just the few instances of what they hear or read and not what they know. So when I walk my Troy and I pass a person, or another person walking a dog, I make sure I keep Troy to the outside and I grab the leash close to his neck with one hand and I wrap the end of the leash with the other hand. Troy is a very sweet dog, and when he see's other Dogs he thinks its play time, so some people take his excitedness as aggression.

[Pullo]

Did the lady have her 2 dogs on a leash?

[Gunsey'sMom]

Originally Posted by Pullo

Did the lady have her 2 dogs on a leash?

I cant say, but if you read how her dogs were able to free jump around, if they were on a leash they must have been taking her for quite a ride! A feat of strength indeed for a Jack Russell I must say. I guess it is possible that they could have been leashed and she dropped it, or they were on flexi leads. It just seems to me they have an awful lot of manuverability as the story is told.

[Steelerfan]

Originally Posted by Gunsey'sMom

I am really wondering what the whole story is here. This really stinks of incompleteness! Why would someone put their dog in a headlock for no reason? Then not at least ask the woman to pass long ways around if possible if they had to restrain thier dog? And if they were restraining their dog in the first place-dont you think if an incident took place they would DO something to stop it? Maybe maybe not, I was not there and I dont know these people. I would love to hear what the Rottweiler owners have to say.

Am I saying that this incident is excusable, not at all, because that is how articles like the above get written. I would just like to know ALL of what happened. I am sorry for that ladies dogs. She is right, she should not have to fear walking on a hiking trail.

The headlock thing makes sense to me. If someone knew their dog was agressive towards other dogs, but didn't know how to fix that behavior a headlock might be a way to control the dog.

Stupid? Absolutely, but Rotties are idiot magnets.

[Gunsey'sMom]

Thats the same thing I was thinking basically, which makes no sense which they would then not try to break up the subsequent fight if they took the initiative to put a headlock on thier dog if they saw trouble coming. Agreed that really is not a good plan of action to keep your dog calm and out of trouble AT ALL.

I just think there is alot of info missing. It would be interesting to see another article on this story and what other details might pop up.