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Original poster

My soft-as-shit boxer bitch has just been attacked by a staffordshire bull terrier.

33 replies

TheVirginGoober · 12/12/2008 12:57

Was walking my dog. She was on her leed. Walked past the local pub where a man was unloading some things from the boot of his car. The pub door was wide open. This staffy came flying towards my dog snarling and really crazed looking. My dog barked but the other dog went for her. It was going for her throat and snarling like a wild dog. I pushed it off and held my dog around the throat to protect her as it was going to try biting her again. I kept pushing it off her. The dogs owner came accross to where this was taking place and tried to grab his dog. He couldn't. It went for my girl again and I shouted at it and pushed it again. The man threw himself onto his dog to restran it and asked if mine was ok. I told him I would let him know as I just wanted to take my dog home and away from his. I cried all the way home.
She is fine, there is a small lump on her throat, but nothing serious. I phoned DH to tell him, he said I should call the police, so I did. They will do nothing about a dog attack unless a person was hurt.
I called the man at the pub and said I was glad I didn't have a child in a buggy with me, as God knows what would have happened. He said he was sorry, but he has been irresponsible by leaving the door open with his dangerous dog inside. He just wanted to argue with me on the phone, said my dog was aggressive (she was on a leed) and he said that I have probably had similar "accidents" with my own dog escaping. (I haven't).
I am glad my dog is ok, but it has really upset me.

OP posts:
SparklyTinselBella · 12/12/2008 13:01

Poor you, and your dog, Goober.

The staffie needs to be reported to the Dog Warden - your council will put you through.

I would have your dog checked over as dog bites are often puncture wounds which are not very visible but can turn into an abscess. The vet may well give her some antibiotics as a precaution.

HTH

kormaisforlifenotjustchristmas · 12/12/2008 13:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
TheVirginGoober · 12/12/2008 13:03

I'm still crying.
Am glad that you don't think I am over-reacting. DH cried on the phone, she is like one of our kids.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheVirginGoober · 12/12/2008 13:05

BTW she is a pure white Boxer and have checked her over thoroughly, no wounds are visible.

OP posts:
SparklyTinselBella · 12/12/2008 13:12

You're definitely not over-reacting. You are in shock. Big mug of tea with 2 sugars.

TBH I would see the vet if only so you have it on record. And I wouldn't try to get any joy from the man at the pub - leave that to the dog warden.

x

wannaBe · 12/12/2008 13:19

staffies are nasty dogs with a reputation for being agresssive towards other dogs.

Not defending the owner but it's possible he was just being defensive. Maybe the dog doesn't generally run out which is why he felt it was safe to leave the door open, and he might also be shocked by it but can't bring himself to admit it. At least he pulled his dog off and asked if your dog was ok, which is a lot more than some owners would.

Original poster
TheVirginGoober · 12/12/2008 13:23

Agree with everything you just said, WB, but I still think it was irresponsible to have left the door open. He still should have been concerned that his dog might have run off into the main road, as pub is on the high street.

OP posts:
pinkblossom · 12/12/2008 13:25

Definitely report it to the dog warden. Hope you are both OK.

wotuhohohoinat · 12/12/2008 13:27

Very, very sorry to hear about your dog, and the owner of the Staffie was very unwise to leave the door open. But blame the deed, not the breed please.

SparklyTinselBella · 12/12/2008 13:30

Agree door shouldn't be left open and dog should be kept under control.

It is illegal to have a dog out of control on or near a road.

I also think saying that 'staffies are nasty dogs' is a bit of a huge sweeping generalisation and I have worked with many who have been lovely.

Original poster
TheVirginGoober · 12/12/2008 13:31

I haven't said anything against staffys in general. This particular one I have a problem with, but generally have never passed judgement on them.

OP posts:
SparklyTinselBella · 12/12/2008 13:32

x post with wotu.

With staffies, as with many breeds, they can attract the wrong owners and it's not the breed's fault.

Original poster
TheVirginGoober · 12/12/2008 13:34

I am apprehensive about calling the dog warden, as I would hate to be responsible if the outcome to this is bad for the other dog and their owner.
I also still have to live nearby and it could be awkward in future.
Don't know what to do for the best.

OP posts:
SparklyTinselBella · 12/12/2008 13:37

No, Goober, that wasn't your quote about staffies - I was referring to what wannabe said.

wotuhohohoinat · 12/12/2008 13:38

I was referring to Wannabe too.

pinkblossom · 12/12/2008 14:13

I think you have a responsibility to report it to the dog warden to be honest. This is quite a serious attack on your dog. How would you feel if the dog attacked a child next week and you had left it unreported?

pinkblossom · 12/12/2008 14:15

I am a bit confused!! Why phone the police but you don't want to call the dog warden?

SparklyTinselBella · 12/12/2008 14:26

I agree pinkblossom. Sadly lots of people don't want to take action and these dogs carry on attacking. My own dog was attacked and seriously injured by a dog which should have been reported when it first started attacking other dogs - years ago!

breaghsmum · 12/12/2008 14:33

why do people thinks its ok to allow their agressive dogs to do this. its alright saying, he's glad it wasnt a child but for all he knows your dog may be an award winning pedigree that cost you alot of money and be carrying pups. an attack like that can do phschological damage to dogs. she may always associate that particular route with this attack, making her nervous. for your sake i really hope she has forgotten about it. but definitelty report him. next time it might be a child and he mightnt be able to restrain his dog. im sorry youve had to go through this. irresponsible owners are one of my pet hates. no pun intended.

wotuhohohoinat · 12/12/2008 14:43

The police won't do anything about it unless the dog has bitten a person.

choccynutter · 12/12/2008 15:02

wannabe staffie are not very nasty dogs we had one for years with our kids and she was lovly but sadly past on we now have 2 lovly rotwelliers who are also lovly too blame the owner not the dog

Original poster
TheVirginGoober · 12/12/2008 19:38

You are all right.
With the benefit of hindsight (and too much wine) I will be reporting this attack.
I phoned the police straight away before I had cooled down.
Corolla seems fine now, she has been cuddled all afternoon, I hope she isn't traumatised at the place where it happened as it one of our favourite walks.
Thanks everyone for your advice.

OP posts:
SparklyTinselBella · 12/12/2008 19:40

Hope you're both okay x

NotDoingTheHousework · 12/12/2008 19:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

IAteTheWholeSelectionBox · 12/12/2008 21:06

Just wanted to add that Boxers are often targets for attacks by otherwise friendly dogs. The way they've been bred with short flattened muzzles means that their facial features can look threatening to other dogs.

I know lots of Boxers who are terrible with other dogs, but only because they've been the victim of so many apparently unprovoked attacks that they have become dog-aggressive. So although it's no defence for this man having his dog out of control in public, it doesn't automatically mean the dog is vicious. Hard to say with a situation like this, there could be all sorts of confounding issues like territory, dog's training and background etc.

Glad your dog is ok TVG.