My poor dog...

[abbey44]

I don't know what I want here, a hand-hold or a place to vent...

This morning, as I do every day, I let my dog outside and went to make a coffee. Within about a minute there was a massive commotion at the gate and she ran inside, yelping, with a large chunk of her ear missing. Next door's dog, who has form for having a go at her through the gate, had ripped her ear off - I found it on the ground by the gate. Obviously, I took her to the vet straightaway, but they couldn't reattach it, they just had to tidy up what was left. She's had the operation and is now at home, heavily sedated and bandaged up.

Neighbour is pretty unconcerned about it - their dog "wouldn't hurt a fly" and what do I expect them to do about it? Meanwhile, I have a traumatised dog with one ear missing, and a four-figure vet bill. I've had a whole bag of Twirl Bites and (purely medicinal) wine, and I still can't believe what's happened.

What should I do...? I'm completely at a loss here...

[adaline]

Oh my God you poor thing

No advice but I would be so so angry!

[StephenQueenBooks]

Poor thing, I've witnessed my own dog be attacked and it's terrifying.

Take pictures, keep the vet documents in order and put up a board of wood on the gate.

You need to report the other dog to the local council. Go back to your neighbours and advise you're reporting and they need to provide their pet insurance details (you can claim on this).

[Phimma]

If it were me I'd ring the police and ask their advice on what to do.

I feel it's a dangerous dog, could be a child next - and what are you meant to do now, keep your dog from ever going out in your garden?

[LilyMumsnet]

We're just moving this over to the doghouse for the OP.

[WomensRightsAreContraversial]

Oh bless her. I hope it heals well and quickly and that she's not too traumatised.

Do you have legal advice on your pet or home insurance? I'd be finding out if I could demand the costs from the neighbour. And obviously secure the gate better; weld mesh or chickenwire over it? Or you're going to have to coral off the area next to the gate your side. Where else can the dog get to people/your dog over the boundary?

[MaryLennoxsScowl]

Your neighbours were unconcerned that their dog bit off your dog’s ear?! Have you ever complained to them before about their dog’s form for biting through gate? If you have and they didn’t do anything about it, can’t they be negligent in making sure their dog is kept away from other dogs? I think you need legal advice. My pet insurance has cover for my dog hurting another dog, you should be able to claim on their insurance.

[MaryLennoxsScowl]

Your insurance company may be able to advise you.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Another one suggesting that you get legal advice.

for you and your dog.

[Confusion77]

God how awful for you and your poor dog.

I think in the first instance, secure your gate/garden so that the neighbours dog can't get at yours again. Was the neighbours dog loose on the street?

[missbattenburg]

what a bloody awful ting to happen (to you both).

Legal advice etc would be good but I too would be absolutely prioritising making the gate safe so a dog cannot get it's head/jaws through. And considering some kind of visual blocker so your dog cannot see the other dog from now on.

You shouldn't have to do this (of course) but still a priority in the circumstances.

[abbey44]

Thank you all. I'm going to talk to my solicitor tomorrow morning, that's good advice. My garden is completely secure, apart from a gap between the top two bars of the gate - my nephew is coming round today to fix some strong wire mesh over it. Neighbour's dog was being walked off-lead along the lane by their two children - they said they didn't see anything, which is possible as they were round the side of the house and it all happened in a few seconds.

Saffy has slept well - probably due to the sedatives they gave her before I brought her home - but she's had her breakfast this morning and been out in the garden. She didn't want to go out by herself though, which I can understand. We have to go back to the vets later this morning to have her dressings changed - she has a lovely fluorescent pink head bandage, a bucket and an inflatable collar on at the moment.

[WomensRightsAreContraversial]

Have you taken photos? Especially if there is blood on the ground.

Glad you have a solicitor to talk to. At the very least I works send a recorded delivery letter informing the neighbours what happened and requesting that their dog is always walked on the lead in your road by a responsible adult in order to prevent future attacks on your dog or any other person or animal. That way hopefully it will prevent but if something should happen again you can point to the letter and say they were clearly neglectful in thor duty to control their dog they were aware had already attacked.

[StillMedusa]

Poor girl! I think , being as their dog was off lead and not being walked by the responsible adult you have very good grounds for for a solicitor recouping the vet costs..but I guess you need 'proof' it was their dog :(

Hope Saffy recovers ok and isn't too frightened .

[abbey44]

I didn't take photos yesterday - I was too shocked and my only thought was to get her (and her ear) to the vet as quickly as possible. However, at the vet this morning they said they took photos as soon as she went in, before and after the surgery, which they will email to me.

I bumped into another neighbour this morning - she said her dog and her son have been attacked by the same dog as well - so much for "he wouldn't hurt a fly" and "he's never done this before". In that case it was only a hole in the other dog's ear, but her son had a proper bite.

Saffy is being very much a mummy's girl today, glued to my side. Lots of cuddles Andy a good excuse not to do anything much in a wet Sunday afternoon

Thanks again for all your lovely comments and helpful advice.

[abbey44]

Don't know where Andy came from - I think my keyboard likes to make me look an idiot sometimes

[MistyMinge2]

As others have said, check if your home insurance has legal expenses cover, give them a call if you have. They won't take anything on if you've already got a non panel solicitor involved. I'd definitely be threatening legal action if they don't offer to pay vet's fees.

[pigsDOfly]

Hope she makes a speedy recovery, poor little love.

for you both.

[PookieDo]

I would report the dog. Also yes to the mesh!

I hope she’s better soon

[abbey44]

Misty - thank you, that's a good point. I'll check that before I do anything else.

I think she'll make a good recovery - she's tough - but it's going to take some getting used to. She had such beautiful ears, and I look at her and just want to cry... I need to get a bloody grip.

[JeffreyJefferson]

bless her OP. Can’t imagine what that must’ve been like for you both. Wishing her a speedy recovery

[Wolfiefan]

Oh poor baby. Can you completely block the gap with something the dog can’t even see yours through?
Dogs should be on lead on designated roads and under control at all times in public. They’ve broken the law.
Did you get the name and details of the person who also said they’d experienced issues with the dog?
Contact dog warden and police?

[simplekindoflife]

This dog next could bloody kill someone next time! You need to report it.

Did your other neighbour that was attacked report it? I'd go mad if my dc were attacked by someone's dog. It sounds dangerous!

[simplekindoflife]

And I hope your poor doggy is feeling better soon

[Iputthescrewinthetuna]

Op how awful! Poor dog, poor you!
Your neighbour is clearly an irresponsible dog owner especially when this has happened before to another dog and a bloody child! I am not sure why your other neighbour hasn't reported a dog biting their child though. Maybe they did.

I hope your lovely dog makes a good recovery. You will get used to her ear...although you shouldn't have to!

I would probably prescribe you some more totally medicinal wine...I'm not a Dr though.

[spiderlight]

Oh, poor girl, and poor you! The neighbours (or their insurance) should be covering the vet bill in full. Speak to your local dog warden if you can - they tend to be very well informed and will go round and talk to the owners, especially if you can get the other neighbour and her son to ring them and confirm that they were attacked as well.

She does look very woeful, bless her. I hope she feels better soon.