What can be done about a vicious dog?

[youcannotbeserious]

Hi,

WOndering if someone can help me here:

I have a (very very soft) labrador. He is NEVER agressive and NEVER fights.

I've encountered a sheep dog who, for whatever reason, just attacked my dog for no reason. My dog tried to hide behind my legs, which meant their dog was snapping at me (and my baby, which was in a sling in front of me)

The first time, I just let it go but the other dog owners just carried on walking (I had a 9WO baby strapped to me, so couldn't really protect my dog)

It's happened again and I shouted at the owners - they told me it was unfortunate!

I've since met two other dog owners who know this dog well and I've learned that this has happened before and the dog has ''previous' and has actually been castrated because of his agressive nature.

I feel like reporting this dog. I told the owners I would if it happened again, but feel really now as (i) they know their dog is agressive and were more than happy to leave it attacking a completely non-agressive dog even though I had a baby with me.

I did threaten to kick the dog, but realistically can't do this because, if the dog did go for me, he would likely bite the baby.

I feel that this is unacceptable.

I've seen this dog several times since, but avoided it.

What can / should I do?

thanks,

[Backgammon]

Horrible situation for you, not sure what you can do though really.

Do they walk it at a certain time of the day? I avoid walking my dog at lunchtime now due to two large, loose rottweilers (I'm scared of rotties). Can you go at a time when you can avoid it? I know it's their dog that has the problem but in reality it's very hard to police this kind of thing and with the welfare of your baby and your dog to consider I would just go out of my way to stay out of their way.

It sucks though.

[SubRosa]

Speak to the dog warden, that dog is completely out of control.

local.direct.gov.uk/LDGRedirect/index.jsp?LGSL=432&LGIL=8

There are a few idiots around here who think it's ok to ignore their dog's behaviour. Grrrrrr.

[youcannotbeserious]

thanks guys - Hadn't thought about a dog warden - will take a look at that link now. Thanks!

Mutt - Am with you about the big stick. I'd like to tazer the little fecker!!! Not sure that's legal though, so will carry a stick in future or maybe a bat, just in case.

He really is an aggressive little bugger. My dog is such a wuss, he legs it at the slightest hint of trouble, so it takes a pretty aggressive dog to keep up the attack, because my dog isn't fighting back.

The first time it happened, there were two other dog walkers with the owners of this sheepdog and they have both sought me out to apologise - it really was that serious.

[edam]

Community police support officers told me they'd be happy to have words with the owners of a horrid dog near me.

[tengreenbottles]

this makes me so cross on your behalf , my dog can be a bit funny on the lead if he meets other dogs ,although is absolutely fine off it ,and if i see people coming towards me with a dog when mine is on the lead i always shout ahead and warn them ,even though ive got my dog under control . If my dog went for another dog i would wade in and give him a very un-pc kicking and apologise profusely to the other person ,i certainly wouldnt wander off and ignore the situation . If you are unfortunate to meet these morons again ,i would let them know that you know their name and address and will be sending any vets bills you incur to them via the dog warden /police

[FloriaTosca]

You could carry a plastic bottle (even a jiff lemon) with water and a little soap liquid in and squirt the swine in the face if it comes close (If questioned you carry it to control your own dog/stop it chasing squirrels or some other such fib so you cant be accused of going "armed")
Personally I would go out without baby or dog and seek the owners to inform them that if they dont get their dog under control you will be reporting them to the police and dog warden.

[NotBigNotClever]

Please, please report this dog to your local dog warden. The only way that these kinds of irresponsible owners can be made to take responsibility for their animals is if people report them. There is someone who lives very near me who keeps 3 Rottweilers and one of them recently killed a small terrier in a completely unprovoked attack. This went completely unpunished because the terrier's owner was intimidated into not reporting the attack. I have spoken to our local dog warden about this and she says it really upsets her that people don't report these incidents with aggressive dogs - because if she gets an official report she can go and sort the situation out.

[youcannotbeserious]

thank you

NBNC - i have now reported it to the dog warden and a ref. no. They aren't able to do anything as I don't have their address. but the ttacks to date are at least logged.

Floria - I'm on my own so at best could go out without the dog, but i have to bring the baby with me when i walk the dog... I do know where they park though, so if it happens again, I thought I could go and wait in the car park and get their registration number.... I'm sure it's possible to get an address from a car reg. number if I call the police (I don't need them to tell me, just tell the dog warden)

Mutt - I love dogs too, and my dog is 5YO. He's forever getting growled at (esp. by little dogs - because he runs and their instinct is to chase) and I'm a big believer in letting dogs sort themselves out (I think all dogs are a bit more antsy on the lead than off it) but in all the time I've been walking my dog, I've not come across such a vicious unprovoked attack.

[WorzselMummage]

Take a big stick with you on your walks and if the dog approaches you hit it really really hard.