dog attacked by pitbul x mastif

[mebythesea]

On the beach at weekend and one of my dogs, an old lab colly x's, was savaged by a huge pitbul mastif x. I was with my 3 dc's. This dog just came at us full pelt, got my dog by the throat and wouldnt let go. Was throwing her about like a rag doll. I shouted for dc's to get as far away as poss. Then started kicking the dog to get it off. The owner ran up punched the dog in the head repeatedly. after ages, 10 min the dog let go. My dog left with deep cuts on throat. Owner said " shes never done thaty before shes a x breed" i just went crazy swearing at the owner. He ran off, didnt appologise, didnt check if my dog ok. Ive given a description to police but what else can i do? What should i have done? I realise it is very dangerous to get involved with a god attack, but i couldnt just stand back and watch it kill my dog. What would you have done? What if it had been one of my dc's it went for? I feel so shook up and deeply angry that some idiot could be so irresponsible to let a dog like that roam freely where children and other dogs were playing. Sorry for long post i dont know what im asking really, just want to vent, discuss what one can do in/ about such situations. Thankfully My dog is ok, saw, vet stitched up cuts amd gave antibiotics. But maybe the next dog or heaven forbid child that dog meets might not be so lucky. :(

[CuriousMama]

I have this fear constantly. Lots of ego dogs round here and brainless gits who own them. A lovely dog was attacked recently nearby by a staffie and almost died.

I have heard something that sounds gross works with this sort of dog, putting your finger up it's anus makes the jaws unlock? Not sure if it's true or not but I will try it if a dog attacks mine. My pooch is whippet/collie cross so wouldn't stand a chance. Yes I'd try to get the dog off I think it's natural instinct.

So glad yours has lived.

[CuriousMama]

And I also live by a beach but in the NE.

[CuriousMama]

Just been googling it and some say it does work? But also found a tip to take pepper out with you and sprinkle it over the dogs nose. Worth a try perhaps?

[ThatVikRinA22]

if you had your mobile on you did you dial 999 at the time? easier said than done while fighting off a dog...but i hope you did asap afterwards.

my little cav was attacked in the park a few weeks ago - im a police officer but i didnt even think before i went for the other dog with my dog lead.

glad you gave a description to police - that sounds like a very dangerous dog.

[Inthepotty]

So sorry to hear this. How is your dog now OP?? To those worried about dogs attacking your own, in my class at the weekend trainer said she would grab other dogs collar and twist it, which sounds horrid! Or if you can, pick up other dogs back legs off the ground. Awful that we have to thunk of these things though.

[technoduck]

I really do hope your dog is ok? please let us know. inthepotty it makes sence that your trainer has said that as from what i know it is how the mothers would tell them off when they where puppys, a scruff shake i know it as. my lovely retriever dylan got "mauled" by a labrador of all things a couple of months ago. Ripped a chunk off his head down to the bone, luckly had people around me who helped and took the other owners details (he is paying for the treatment dylan needs)
Two months on my poor old boy still have a lampshade on and is now called "zombie dog" cause he looks like hes had a brain transplant, the hair may never grow back on his head!
I managed to get the other dog off by kicking it, with i do feel bad about. I can't begin to think what it would of been like if there was children there aswell, Im so sorry this has happened to you.

[bemybebe]

emergency line on the mobile is 112 (not 999)
please report this to the local dog warden. excuses "it has never done that before" are irrlelevant
you have done the right thing going to the police. although they probably won't do anything about it, it is important to report as apart from other community-wide concerns, there is a damage to your property (your dog) and you have sustained the losses (vet bills), so you are entitled to be compensated. if this person is ever caught, they should be presented with the bill
XX

[CuriousMama]

I also read about pulling it by the legs and throwing the dog if you can? Not so easy with a labrador though, how shocking to hear that technoduck In the article I read it recommended pulling the legs nearer the top as if you do it by the ankles the dog can turn and attack you (easier).

[bemybebe]

I was taught to never attempt to break up the dog fight by pulling legs etc, as the fights rarely result in life-threatening injuries, whilst the human can sustain very serious damage.

The best way to throw something into the fight to confuse the attacker - bucket of water is the best, but bulky noisy something may also do the trick. Sudden, unusual loud noise is less effective, but again, may do the trick.

[mebythesea]

Hi everyone thanks for your posts. Techno duck :(! I hope you dog on the mend poor boy. My dog ok, seems happy enough and stitches not bothering her. Though havnt talken her back to the beach yet. Will hopefully not be too mych psychological damage. My poor dc's are however quite traumatized, mostlyly by the offending dog and the 'what if' questions, but also by what i had to do to get it off. Poor dd keeps saying " will it be at the beach next time?" Why did it want to kill mini?" And older dd said she didnt know i knew so many swear words! I will use the leg and neck trick if there is a next time, and the pepper idea is good if you can face taking it about with you. I have one of those rape alarms from when i was a teenager, still works, might take that out with me to give a short sharp sound. I will also report to the dog warden thanks for the tip. Heres hoping our dogs and dc's stay safe from such terrifying dogs x x