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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to report this dog owner to the police

36 replies

crashdoll · 22/10/2011 21:38

My toy poodle got pounced on and pinned down by an Alsatian. The owners stood by and sweet FA. Mine was on lead and theirs wasn't. The dog went to attack mine and had it's entire body over my dog's. It was crushing him. He's not tiny and weighs about 7 kilos. My dog is fine but I'm furious. I was in a state and didn't do anything at the time. I want to report them incase their dog ever attacks or injures anyone and they can't claim it never attacked before. I can't tell them much but I feel I want to do something.

OP posts:

DogsBeastFiend · 22/10/2011 21:55

Your first port of call might be better made to the local council's dog warden service. The council may have (and many have) adopted into policy Dog Control legislation which means that they can enforce notices upon the owner. They may also be aware of the people already and be able to tie up your info with existing details. They can of course also advise further, increase patrols providing they have GOT a dog warden as some councils no longer do, their legal obligation only to be to have someone tasked with the duty of collecting strays. This need not be a dog warden per se but is often another Environmental Health staff member (often pest control).

The Police's response can be varied. Some might go all out, others might be less proactive. By all means report but don't bank on a huge amount of action (although, wrongly, they can go the other way completely and apply a possibly misinterpreted use of the DDA).

As someone who is involved in dog welfare I find it important to point out that there is no proven correlation between dog on dog attacks and dog on human aggression. That's not of course to say that it doesn't happen but that the two do not go hand in hand as a matter of course.

All I can add at this stage is that I'm sorry that this has happened to you, hope that pooch is none the worst for it and reassure you that the majority of GSD are not like this. I own two and often work with several others.

It would probably be beneficial for you to seek out a training class or similar whereby you can introduce your dog to others, particularly GSD and similar large breeds, under supervised, professional guidance, in order that you can quickly work on avoiding any long term fears and possible fear aggression towards other dogs as a result of this horrible experience.

DogsBeastFiend · 22/10/2011 21:56

Tsk! None the WORSE for it!

worraliberty · 22/10/2011 21:56

Are you sure the dog actually 'attacked' yours? They normally lay their entire body over another dog when they're playing

Not that it makes it ok and of course it should have been on a lead but the fact your little dog is ok and the owners were unconcerned at what their dog did, does lead me to believe it wasn't an actual attack?

Original poster

crashdoll · 22/10/2011 22:04

Thank you DBF. I certainly wasn't assuming this dog will attack again least of all a human but I just feel I want it noted down. I would feel guilty on the off chance that it did.

worra - well, I wasn't actually there in the park. It was my sister who is an experienced dog owner and said she was sure it was going for him. I did question her but she was sure. It was growling and by it's body language and went to bite my dog before it got a prod in the side.

OP posts:

worraliberty · 22/10/2011 22:09

Oh ok

Even now though I'm still not convinced it sounds as though the dog attacked because actually, for a dog to stop growling because of a prod in the side...if it was even thinking of attacking, sounds as though it's very well trained?

Anyway, If you're still concerned perhaps your Sister should report it as she was the one present.

Does she have the owners details or know anything about them?

DogsBeastFiend · 22/10/2011 22:09

The comfort is, tbh, that the GSD DIDN'T bite pooch and that he backed off after a prod in the side. An angry, determined GSD wouldn't have done that. Looking back, I see where Worra is coming from - it's possible that this was an attempt at domination from a badly managed/trained/socialised (possibly an adolescent GSD?) than an attack.

Original poster

crashdoll · 22/10/2011 22:13

Hmm interesting perspective thanks. Maybe reporting it was an overreaction hence why I asked before I took it any further. I was going to ask her to write down what happened etc.

I hope my dog won't be too shaken up and afraid of dogs. Poor sod was really unhappy and still is. This is my first dog and I don't have great experience, although I trust my sister in what she saw. However, we all know emotions can blind us.

Thanks for input.

OP posts:

worraliberty · 22/10/2011 22:16

My BIL's dog (Jack Russell) used to stand on the arm of my couch and launch himself at my Jack Russell Terrier as he walked by....completely covering his back with his whole body

I was alarmed the first few times because I genuinely thought he was being agressive...but that's honestly how he used to play.

Sometimes if my JRT wasn't in the mood to recipricate, he would growl at him.

SacreLao · 22/10/2011 22:17

It sounds like rough play / dominating behaviour to me and not an attack.

If a GSD has attacked your poodle then there would have teeth bared, snapping etc. and the dog would not have stopped due to a poke in the side.

Growling is playful behaviour also, my dog growls like a bear when playing, but it is purely play.

I appreciate it may have looked worrying but I don't feel this dog is a risk at all, except the owners should be more pro-active about putting it on lead when other dogs around or teaching the dog not to approach etc.

If you had a similar sized dog would the same behaviour have been a worry or is it simply because your dog was the smaller one?

I really feel that YABU to report an incident that you did not even see as you have no clue as to what actually happened and cannot report it acurately.

troisgarcons · 22/10/2011 22:20

riiiiiight - so you werent there, and your dog isnt actually injured in any way...... so this 'attack' .... didnt actually happen did it?

A subservient dog will lay down and be covered by an alpha

DogsBeastFiend · 22/10/2011 22:22

Crashdoll, that's not to say don't report it. As I said, providing that the area has a specifically appointed dog warden you would be wise to do so, if only to give him a heads up in case of further problems for you or other owners. It never harms to have a chat with the DW about local issues and make him your friend, you never know when you might need him (says she who has always, until she moved to an area with no piggin' DW, been on first name terms with them as a result of finding and taking in a variety of strays!).

Warning here, btw, and slightly off topic... before anyone hands over a stray to the dog warden, check where the dog is to go to, see if the organisation is no kill and take into account the breed, age and health of the dog or it could be a death sentence for him. If in doubt, speak to local, independent, no kill rescue for advice and supporrt first.

Original poster

crashdoll · 22/10/2011 22:22

Ok attack was a strong word. My dog was yelping and crying.

Anyway, I get it, IABU.

I asked. I didn't take any action.

This dog is still a poorly socialised oaf. When my dog's off lead, I never let him approach another dog.

OP posts:

SacreLao · 22/10/2011 22:22

Crash - re-reading your OP, am a bit confused as to why you were 'in a state and didn't do anything at the time' if you were not present?

SacreLao · 22/10/2011 22:25

I agree the dog should not be approaching on-lead dogs, that's the owner's being a bit stupid. After all they don't know that your dog is on lead for a reason.

Not the dogs fault though.

Dogsbeastfriend - Excellent advice about dog pounds - So many people do not realise that a lot of council pounds only give these dogs 7 days and then kill them. Finding a no-kill rescue to take the dog is usually the better option.

troisgarcons · 22/10/2011 22:26

When my dog's off lead, I never let him approach another dog.

Really, how do you stop that then?

squeakyfreakytoy · 22/10/2011 22:27

My dog is fine but I'm furious. I was in a state and didn't do anything at the time

I wasn't actually there in the park

Riiiiiiight...

Original poster

crashdoll · 22/10/2011 22:32

I meant I was in a state when the dog got home. He was shaking and had pooed himself, was covered in it and needed a bath. Poorly worded I admit.

How do I stop him approaching another dog? Put him on a lead and ask the owner is it ok.

Seriously, I admit I was overreacting but honestly wouldn't make up such a dull story. I might have made it more exciting if I was!!

OP posts:

DogsBeastFiend · 22/10/2011 22:33

Sacre, strictly speaking you can't just hand over a stray to a rescue wthout the permision of the council - ie generally the DW. You can keep him yourself, under certain conditions (must keep for at least a month, must give back to owner if located, must not be reasonably considered by the DW to be incapable of caring for his welfare adequately, in essence). A sensible DW who approves of local rescue may however allow a stray to go there instead of taking him to the pound - less work for the DW, no expense to the council and far better chance for the dog of staying alive. This has been done with the permission of the DW by the rescue I help at.

Personally I would see no kill rescue regardless if I thought that the dog was at risk of PTS in the pound, as so many are, but I'm not suggesting that others follow my lead.

trois - it's simple to keep your off lead dog from approaching others. Mine are trained to recall, as dogs should be, for their own safety. One whistle and they come skidding back to me (though old DDog3 is getting a little deaf, not sure it isn't selective, admittedly!).

worraliberty · 22/10/2011 22:37

DBF There is a scientifically proven test you can carry out on your dog to check for selective deafness.

It's a bit technical and complicated but well worth trying.

Stand behind him and whisper the word 'ham'.

Original poster

crashdoll · 22/10/2011 22:40

"Doggy, bed!" (he doesn't move off the sofa)
"Doggy, bed!" (he doesn't move off the sofa)
"Doggy, BED!" (he doesn't move off the sofa)
"Doggy, biscuit before bed?" (runs towards me)

OP posts:

worraliberty · 22/10/2011 22:42

Clever little bastards aren't they?

Midori1999 · 22/10/2011 22:43

at worraliberty.

Tbh, there is no way this was an 'attack'. As someone who has had to seperate dogs that were fighting/one was attacking another, it isn't easy and a 'prod' sure as heck isn't going to stop it. If the GSD intended to hurt yours, it absolutely would have done and you'd now be facing a large vet bill.

It sounds like over zealous play from a poorly socialised animal. In the circumstances I would probably just let it go. They were rude for allowing their dog to approach another that was on lead, but that happens all the time at parks etc. No dogs were injured and it seems no permenant damage was done.

SacreLao · 22/10/2011 22:43

DBF - The way it works in my area (and I have done this many times, working with a rescue myself) is to contact the dog warden and report the dog as found but keep the dog with you.

You can then ask a rescue to find a foster home for the dog during this time if it is unable to stay with you, you will obviously check for a tag / collar / chip.

The rescue keeps the dog in foster for 7 days after which point ownership transfers to the rescue legally and they can re-home the dog.

You legally have to attempt to find the owners by advertising the dog as found and reporting to the various authorities.

Our local council pound has been known to not even FEED dogs that are on 'death row' as it is considered a waste of money. I was horrified to collect a dog from their one day that was in an appauling state and in desperate need of a vet and yet nothing had been done.

After seeing that poor dog I would NEVER send a dog to that council pound if my life depended on it.

It's also worth pointing out that if you find a dog you do not have to hand it over to ANYONE and the dog warden can give you a finders receipt saying you have reported the dog as found etc. After a month the dog then becomes yours, but it is only 7 days with a rescue.

DogsBeastFiend · 22/10/2011 22:46

You KNOW my dog, dontcha? :o

Last wee of the night (DDog3 I mean, not me!). I stand there, freezing my arse off, calling sotto voce, "Come on, in!". "Come on boy!" "In!" "IN"

"For fucks sake WILL you get a bloody move on!"

DDog3 saunters slowly down the garden path. Long garden, sure. Excuse? No.

Because as soon as I open the draw with the treats in it, he's through that back door as if he has a rocket up his bum! :o

Midori1999 · 22/10/2011 22:50

Pah, one of mine looks to see what sort of treat is on offer before deciding whether she'll come in for it or not...

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