My lovely border terrier was playing with a staffie in the park yesterday, after a couple of minutes play, the other dog turned on mine who tried to defend himself for about ten seconds before being floored (on his back.) My husband was a distance away, catching up as my dog had run across the snow. The other owner pulled the staffie off and my dog ran back to my husband, who after checking him briefly and thinking he was fine brought him home. He didn't want to go over to the owner as he hadn't bothered put his dog on a lead or some and say anything, and didn't want any further trouble with the dog.
When he got back we checked him again - his coat is really shaggy at the mo and we saw blood running through his fur, and we realised he had been bitten twice; once in the chest area leaving grazes and a puncture wound which was bleeding, and the same again on his back leg. He was also limping I think from pulled muscles.
I called an emergnecy vet as it was after hours by this point, and she said it was ok to clean the wounds and see the vet tomorrow.
So upshot is, he was brighter today, but went to the vet and was given his updated jabs which he was due, plus antibiotics and we got a bill for £75.
There is history with this owner as I have had a small run in with him. This Staffie is quite fearsome, with a head bigger than the rest of him - have no issues with SBT's BTW he is not the usual waggy, loyal staffie of which I've known/seen many - more one specially selected and bred to have these proportions and is def. a trophy dog.
On one occasion last Spring when I was newly out and about after my C/S with my new baby, the dog and owner were walking down a path towards me and the buggy, and my dog feeling a bit nervous and defensive of us gave a little warning growl. The SBT leapt forward on his lead and the owner pulled him back and said it was a good job he was on a lead as he could kill my dog easily. I explained that my dog probably felt as unnerved as I did by his dog's relentless eye contact and hw close he was to the buggy, at which the twat young man said I was a bad mother because my dog was dangerous (which is ridiculous) and I walked off feeling very intimidated and upset.
I have since seen him in the park, hima nd the dog always staring straight at us (a woman with a buggy FFS, hardly a turf war) and I always put my dog on the lead and head away which I know he enjoys, but don't want ro risk my dog running over to play and getting attacked.
Which is unfortunately exactly what happened yesterday and my husband didn't realise it was this dog until it was too late.
Sorry for the huuuge ramble but thought back-story important as I am looking for advice on waht to do nect, if anything. Should I avoid the park and any future hassle, or report him to the parks police so they can at least try to warn him not to allow his dog off the lead? Can they do this? If you know what happens in these situatons I'd be really grateful. Also, I did check that my dog hadn't asked for it as no dog is a saint and can bite off more than they can chew, but my husband said it was play, then other dog lunging from what he could see...