Hi. My dogs on leads have been attacked by another bigger dog in front of a witness who is supporting me.
The dog Walker ended up beating his dog with his walking stick and wrestling it to the ground to get it off. The man refused to give me his details saying I was overreacting and attempted to walk off.
I identified the dog, who is known in the area for being aggressive, to the dog Walker and witness as I was sure that this was the dog. He said if I go to the police he will say I stand at the dogs front gate all day goading him. I know enough people who live in the street who will back me up that I don't do that.
My dog seems OK. I rang the vet who advised keeping a close eye on him and immediately bringing him in with the slightest concern as he has a heart concern that is currently being investigated.
I was so shocked both by the attack and by his attitude that I rang the police who are coming round. The dog Walker laughed saying that the police won't be interested in me overreacting. The witness said it's not overreacting to beat a dog with sticks and wrestle it to the ground. The man claimed he was disabled but I argued back that in that case put him on a lead or employ a dog Walker as there is no excuse. Plus he seemed pretty fit both beating it and wrestling it to the ground.
I absolutely don't want this to happen to anyone else and that's why I am reporting it. Plus his attitude was appalling, couldn't care less.
Am I overreacting? How would you handle this?
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Dog just attacked my dog. Am I overreacting?
Dontbesilly · 20/10/2015 12:18
You are definitely not over reacting. It's a horrible things to happen, and if the only way the owner could get his dog away was by beating it, then the dog is out of control.
Reporting the incident is important because even if there is no direct action taken, if the dog is allowed to attack again, there will be a record.
Hope your dog is ok 
You didn't overreact. I would have done. I'd have been beating it with a stick too. I think you handled it very well. You have a witness and you immediately reported it to the police. You have informed the vet. As Sweet said there is a record now and if it does it again the owner will have to explain it to the police.
What a horrible shock though. Hope you and your poor dog are ok. 
How horrible Dontbe Hope your dog is ok.
You are absolutely not overreacting. The police obviously ARE interested.
The guy must know he was in the wrong, but was trying to get you to back down. Don't forget to tell the police what he said about planning to them you stand at front gate all day goading the dog. In other words, he threatened to lie to the police.
Hi thank you both. My dog seems to be ok. I have kept a close eye on him and if anything changes I will contact the vet.
It was frightening and at the worst point I honestly thought that my dog could die as he was going for his throat. I was still in shock when I posted and I am gradually coming round. I just wanted another view point of what is reasonable as I didn't want to go over the top, even though I feel I am doing the right thing.
His dog wasn't even on a lead. It's his attitude that makes my blood boil. He's in charge of the animal and it's him as much as the dog that's to blame. Then saying I was overreacting, well it's proportionate to his response to, beating s dog with a stick and wrestling it to the ground is not normal behaviour. Thing is the man wasn't the owner of the dog he was the dog Walker 
Thanks for your advice and perspective. It's much appreciated!!
Thanks everyone.
Lovely - he got off lightly. No puncture wounds that we can find. He was a bit off for a while yesterday but recovered fine. He slept in his bed in our room last night as a precautions too. Vet thinks if he didn't have fur we would definitely see bruising and there is likely inflammation and tenderness due to soft tissue damage type of thing. Trouble is his lead and collar are around the throat where the dog went for him. I took the collar off and used a harness to make it easier on him. He doesn't want to be groomed today either. He is waiting for a referral to a cardiology specialist anyway so I was worried about the effects on his heart but, so far things are not nearly as bad as it could have been. I shudder now when I think about it. In RL people are very supportive locally who know us and the other dog, the walker and owner. Apparently they are "horrible", "nasty" and "nutters". I definitely did the right thing reporting him.
Our local police were fantastic. Might be worth having a confidential chat with your local police to discuss your concerns. Perhaps keep a diary etc and get proof of incidents as our police were able to act far better as I had an independent witness. Good luck with your situation as it's frightening and absolutely unnecessary.
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