Neighbours dog has just attacked me and DD.

[katkat90]

Have had issues with them in the past

They are elderly, with two large breed dogs (think Great Danes?). They cannot control them. Honestly the amount of times I have seen them nearly pull them over in the street/simply pull out of their grasp and go bouncing off and jumping all over people is untrue.

Was walking back from the shop and saw them coming from a distance so I stepped to the side into another neighbours driveway and next thing I know- one of them had pulled out of its owners grasp and came bounding over and knocked DD (who is just about getting confident with her toddling) over.

It was over in seconds- by the time I put the break on the pram (was stood on a slopes drive so it would of ran off into the road) and went to grab DD she was already on the floor the dog barking at her- so I kicked it to get it away, and it bit my leg.

I was furious. Owner very embarrassed an apologetic but I’ve said enough is enough and I would be contacting the police and the RSPCA.

Heaven forbid it bounded on the pram and just decided to bite my 2 week old. It would of taken her head off no doubt.

V shaken and waiting for DH to get home to call the police and RSPCA.

I’ve also messaged his daughter on Facebook

You are entitled to report the owner . The new laws cover a dog being out of control . Quite out of character for a Great Dane , thank goodness the bite did not break the skin as it would have been nasty . They may not be able to keep the dogs . I am not defending them but it sounds like the dog was over excited and then the situation escalated . I feel for all parties involved .

This really isn’t a 999 emergency. Just call 101.

My dog got badly attacked in June and I got bitten in the process.

Took 6 months to get to court, the owner was fined £85 and the dog given a control order to be muzzled and on a lead in public.

Several villagers have already told me they've seen the owners walking it off lead and unmuzzled.

I'm just saying don't get your hopes up with the Police. I'm still nervous walking my own dog, and it was a really upsetting experience, let alone for my poor ddog who got badly mauled.

No the dogs do not need putting down , if it was a proper bite it would have broken the skin , and the dog was kicked first . They probably just need to go to an owner who can control them .

@politicalbiscuit you make a valid point but it would have so much more impact of you actually advised what people should do instead rather than 'don't kick the dog'

I can appreciate this might make it worse but in the absence of knowing an alternative what do you reckon most people will do?

Police - fuck the RSPCA

The owners can not control the dogs and the ops toddler daughter got knocked over by a massive dog. The op reacted and you think the op maybe to blame!!

Raven, the usual advice from doggy people is to stand still and cross your arms so you don’t look threatening. The usual victim-blaming crap which is no use to a mother with a pram and a toddler.

Just seen your update If a Great Dane hasn’t broken your skin it hasn’t bitten you, it has restrained you with its mouth to stop an attack by you. You were very lucky - the dog is obviously a lot more chilled and gentler than you think

You must have been frightened and the owners need to sort out their control of the dogs.

But please use this incident to educate yourself and your daughter how to act around dogs, esp a dog attack.

Dogs were not under control. By law they must be.
But kicking a dog would make many dogs feel under attack and like they needed to protect themselves.
And if it didn’t break the skin? Not much of a bite TBH.
I understand this must’ve been scary though and these owners need to get their dogs under control ASAP.
Hope you and LO are ok.

Unfortunately, this is going to happen more often I think. My dogs always walked to heel because they were taught to when puppies. The amount of people I see being dragged around by dogs wearing ridiculous harnesses and dangerous extending leads is scary. Why does no one attend dog training any more. I love dogs but, like children, they need to be taught good manners when young. Great Danes are no more dangerous than a small dog if handled correctly.

Why on earth would you kick the dog! Of course that escalated everything.

Up to that point you were totally right about what happened but you bring bitten is your own fault.

There's a sensible post a few up about not kicking a stressed , barking dog.

What if a human attacked like this? Would you fight for you and your child's life and kick the perp? And then that person bites you for doing this?

Shakes head. There is far too much leeway given to out of control animals in this country. Lots of excuses, explanations, putting people down for having the guts to express their concerns. And so on.

Aggressive animals will never attack me, I will get them first. Hopefully.

It doesn’t matter these dogs are huge the ops daughter could have been seriously by hitting her head on the pavement, being knocked into the road. The op reacted in the heat of the moment

Hardley surprising you kicked out under the circumstances. I think most all people would do the same with a very young child around. If thay are Great Danes they are very large dogs and if the owners cannot control them out in the streets then they should be re-homed. Don't get me wroing I love dogs but this sort of event was down right dangerous.

Still I suppose we blame the dog and not the keepers of the dog.

Did i ever tell you of the time i saw a Rotwiller being held by a 6 yes SIX year old girl on a railway station when an express train went past dog wanted to chase the train and took the girl with him the doggie was was trying to jump at the side of the train how that girl wasn't killed beats me, i know the poilice turned up and arrested the parents don't know what happened to the dog though.

Dog doesn't need putting down, it was provoked, so it bit. I can understand why the OP panicked, but as pp said, best to Google what to do when a dog leaps at you. I don't think it would have ripped the baby's head off, but I probably would have panicked too.

Those saying it's not typical of a Dane, there's no such thing as a typical behaviour, the worst dog I ever knew was a springer. Deed, not breed.

Why does no one attend dog training any more. I love dogs but, like children, they need to be taught good manners when young.

^ this, 100%.

This doesn’t warrant 999, no lives are in danger.

I’m a dog owner and don’t blame you one bit, dogs need to be under control. A Great Dane could knock a toddler (or adult) flat in a second.

And if it didn’t break the skin? Not much of a bite TBH
and fuck right off with that aswell

As a dog owner I cannot believe the people suggesting it’s your own fault for getting bitten. If any dog came bounding over to my child or even my dog and started barking I too would give it a good kick .
Report immediately.

Have to say I feel very sorry for the owners, that’s just the first thought that comes to mind reading this. They must be very upset and frightened.

Could you not have picked your toddler up? What made you kick the dog? Known Aggressive dogs are usually muzzled, I would not want to kick a dog aa I would assume an aggressive dog would properly attack me in retaliation.

I’m no saying you’re in the wrong but it seems badly judged on everyone’s part including your own. Hope everyone is okay.

Was it aggressive or enthusiastic? Who gives a fuck when they are terrified and protecting their children?

Ha! The people suggesting you deserved it because you kicked it?! Are ye having a laugh?!! I love dogs. I have one who would protective breed. If he attacked a child I’d put him down. The life and health of a child trumps a dog. Do people not get that?

Owner very embarrassed and apologetic
this will be one of many incidents, the dogs are inappropriate, out of control and dangerous