Dog attacked my dog

[morbidhamster]

Hello, I'm a long time lurker and first time poster. In need of some advice and perspective please.
Whilst walking my dog in a local 'dog walking park' earlier in the week, my dog was aggressively attacked by another dog. My dog was on a lead and harness. The other dog was off lead, no collar. He spotted us from the other side of the park (we were just inside the gated entrance), hurtled towards us snarling and frothing and started a frenzied biting attack on my dog. The person with the dog (young lad, about 17-18) was sat some way away, scrolling through his phone. On hearing my screams he partly ran over but then stood 12 feet away, too petrified to intervene. He kept saying 'I don't know what to do'. I was screaming at him to get his dog (which was now biting at my boots as I tried to kick it off). My dog laid there whimpering and cowering. The whole thing went on for about 3 minutes before the lad manged to pull the snarling dog off mine. I was very shaken and retreated as fast as I could. Went straight home to collect my car to get to the vets. My dog is ok physically - very bruised, had some painkilling injections. He's now really nervous though, and hid under the bed for a while. I've only walked him in a really secluded wood since, a 10 minute drive away, where there are few other walkers/dogs, but if we see any, he cowers at my side. I'm too afraid to walk in the local area.
I called the police to report, and initially they were very helpful. I know the other dog, and have seen it before on walks but always with a woman who I assume to be the Mum of the boy. It's always been on a lead before, although has always snapped and snarled at us. So I was able to tell them the name of the owner. My hope for an outcome was that the owner would be advised to keep their dog on a lead and muzzled in a public place. However, had a call from PCSO yesterday who was rather snippy and dismissive. Said that she'd spoken to the owner who said for some reason her dog doesn't like our dog, and isn't aggressive with any other dogs. I replied that was hardly the point, and surely one aggressive attack is one too many. She said that the owner had said that if they see us in future they will put their dog on a lead. They obviously have no comprehension of how out of control the dog was at the time of the attack. There was no chance of getting a lead on it before the damage was done! I told her that I was now afraid to walk my dog in the local area (I don't know exactly where they live but suspect within 1 mile radius as I often see them out and about). The PCSO snapped a reply that 'I've done what I was tasked to do, which is speak to the owner, what else is it you want?' I said that I wanted some reassurance that their dog would be kept under control in future, and that I don't think it was fair to tell me to try to avoid the other dog when I don't know where the other dog might be at any time. She said that she'd have to go away and think about it and get some advice, because she' not an 'expert on dog law'. She then put the phone down on me.
She's due to call over the weekend with a follow up. I wondered if anyone had any similar experiences and could advise. Or does anyone know what my rights are, if any?
It sounds ridiculous but I was absolutely terrified, and have been tearful and anxious ever since. It really brought it home to me that when a dog attacks there is very little you can do. I was driving past the local park a couple of days ago and saw the same dog running around the park, off lead. I feel so angry (and sad) that people can be so irresponsible.
Thanks in advance, and sorry for the long post!

My XDH started carrying a walking stick after our dog had been attacked by an Akita. He was told that dog on dog attacks are not covered by the legislation but that was 8 years ago. The Akita did bite my XDH and was required to wear a muzzle in public as a result, as was my sister's great dane who also bit someone recently.

Our own dog was very dog and cat aggressive so we never let her off the lead and we did pay the vet bill when she escaped the house and bit another dog.

Hi OP
A similar thing happened to my dog and the police actually contacted the dog warden who came out and took a statement and then issued an order for the owner of the other dog to have their dog muzzled in public at all times. If they refused this, moves would be put in place to remove the dog from their care. Luckily I knew the address where the person stayed so this made it easier of course. I also went round with a copy of the vet bill and asked them to pay, which they did, although this was not enforceable.
I'm in Scotland so not sure if the laws are different elsewhere but I'd look into contacting the dog warden. They were very helpful in my case.
Good luck!

Your poor dog OP

I have a very dog aggressive terrier. She is similar to the dog that attacked yours in that she is fine with 99% of other dogs but then the 1% will pass and she becomes massively aggressive. She caught us out twice, the first time she did it (she was almost 3) and once when her lead snapped as she pulled on it.
It was horrendous. We apologised, gave details and paid the vet bills.
After the first time, she was always on a short lead. After the second time she is always muzzled. It barely happens anymore but it's just not worth the risk.

I'm not sure what your rights are but I would definitely be asking for another PCSO to take over as the one your dealing with sounds awful.

Also, I would suggest that you walk your dog somewhere where there are other dogs, preferably taking a another person with you. You might find that your dogs confidence comes back after a few dog interactions with no issues, but the longer it's left, the more nervous you'll be and your dog will feel that and be nervous too. (I know this is hard - I had to do this after our aggressive dog attracked the second dog. I was a nervous wreck and she could tell and it made her worse but a few walks with more than 1 of us and I felt more able to handle her and she ultimately then became less tense of more manageable).

Dog Law? There is no Dog Law. Just The Law. And a PCSO should know the law. Anyway, feel a bit sorry for the teenager who had probably been given dog walking as a 'job' by the parent but was clearly not up to it. But presumably the mother is the owner and she is clearly irresponsible and an idiot. Her dog doesn't like your dog but is ok with every other dog? Yeah, ok. She needs dealing with one way or the other because he clearly owns an unpredictable dog and she is in complete denial. If the police aren't interested (and they very much should be) what about a small claims court to recover your costs for the veterinary treatment? I realise you're probably not concerned about the money but the action itself would at least give her pause to check her attitude. Be a lot of hassle for you though I guess. Anyway just a thought.

If you say you were scared of the dog they have to take it more seriously. You have to say you were afraid of being bitten while you tried to get the dog off. Say what if you'd had a toddler with you. Say the dog was not under the control of the boy who had it. He said he didn't know what to do.

They certainly can issue such a warning in my area, and require it be kept on leash at all times.

It must have been an awful experience- I've had similar. My dog is only alive because there were people around to help me.

Again, thank you all for your advice, and kind words. I will follow up on it all depending on the next development. I definitely feel more armed in terms of not only knowing what I'd like to happen but also what should happen.
The PCSO's attitude was really bad. Implying that it was only the first time, so that's ok. And it's only my dog, which for some reason the other dog has taken a dislike to him - like it was actually his fault. I asked her if she would say the same if we were talking about people rather than dogs. She didn't answer.
Handbag - my dog goes to a petsitter/walker a couple of times a week whilst I'm at work. He LOVES it there, and there's always at least one other dog, mostly 3 or 4. He is very sociable, and I think he'll be ok. Actually, the couple who run the petsitters came to see us the day after it happened, with a box of treats. They very kindly offered to go to the police and give a character reference for my dog, as they've never had an issue with him getting on with other dogs, which was very sweet. They were really cross on our behalf, because they know what a sensitive old sop he is.
It must be just as difficult owning an aggressive dog, but your stories have really restored my faith about responsible dog ownership!

Back many years ago I was walking my family's well behaved dogs off the lead when we were attacked it was bloody frightening

I feel sorry for the teenager too everyone. He was clearly very shaken and was very apologetic as I heaved and sobbed away. That's why i just can't believe the ?Mum's attitude.

Actually popcorn I do have a young daughter who is often walking with me. I put that to the PCSO too. I think it's one of the reasons I'm so shaken and can't get the incident out of my head. It was pure serendipity that my daughter wasn't with me, as a series of mini events throughout the day meant that she was elsewhere. The field where it happens also adjoins a primary school and nursery, and is separated only by a scrub hedge. I wouldn't have wanted a child to witness what happened let alone be involved.

Hi OP I know it isn't about the money but I would hope that chasing them to pay might make them realise they are responsible for keeping their dog under control and it's behaviour rather than simply shrugging their shoulders.

Good point Shark. I hadn't thought of it that way. I've got the bill so far, and we're also booked in for a recheck as my dog has had a lot of surgery on his legs due to injury. His front legs are full of metal! Consequently he's got a lot of arthritis so the vet said he would be bloody sore for a while after what happened.

Morbid that's awful. My old boy was dog aggressive, he was attacked as a puppy. He was never off lead, he was a staff and probably stronger then a spring spaniel and it just wasn't worth the risk.

I remember a cat getting in the garden and having to leap on him to stop him going for it, it took my entire body weight to do that, It's shitty irresponsible behaviour and it gives dog owners a bad name.

If he had ever got out and hurt another dog I would of course offered to foot the vets bill.

Hope your boy has a quick recovery.

No idea why it doesn't like mine, who is so gentle and placid, doesn't even bark!

My dog, a cocker spaniel, has been attacked by other dogs 3 times now. The result of this is that he is now aggressive towards white dogs, as one set that attacked him were Westies. It could simply be that your dog matches a dog that attacked the springer.

After the most recent attack (scruffy Terrier type who attached himself to my dog's back leg and wouldn't let go) both him and me are nervous when other dogs approach. I try to swallow my own nervousness and let him have a sniff but I'm ready to yank him away if it looks at all problematic. I do keep him in on a short lead when I see other dogs as I don't know how he is going to be - it's just snarling whilst tail waggging so I don't feel he needs to be muzzled at the moment.

at the other owner, I really do wonder if she is oblivious at how nasty it was and that could have been a chilled severely injured trying to separate 2 dogs

Don't talk to the PCSO again, talk to an actual police officer and tell them you aren't happy with the action (not!) taken by the useless PCSO. As the dog bit you, there should be serious consequences, pretty tricky if you don't have an address. The family could have the dog removed because of this. The dog must be ,used in public as it bit someone. You're best off contacting the dog warden who will be more up to date with the law on dog attacks.

When my dog was attacked we contacted the police & the dog Warden. Have you spoken to the dog warden? The police were only interested in the other dogs' owner- since he attacked DH who was trying to pull their dog off ours. The other dog now has to be kept in a lead in our local area.