OMG, a pack of dogs just tried to kill my dog

[MrsMiniversCharlady]

This might not be very coherent, I can't stop shaking. Just walking (on lead) on public footpath and a group of 4 large farm dogs (labradoodles and collies) just set upon my terrier. I thought they were going to kill him. He's OK, scared, muddy, bleeding slightly. I can't stop shaking. Complete mess. Going to the vet in an hour if I feel safe to drive (think I'm in shock)

How scary for you and your dog.

I find other people's dogs more and more of a worry these days. Hope you are both ok.

Blimey, take a deep breath, have a cuppa, calm down.

When you get back fro the vets, take the receipt round to said 'farm' and tell them they owe you, and to keep their out of control dogs behind a gate in future or you will call the police.

Irresponsible so and so's, really hope your pooch is OK. And you are too, it's scary as hell I know.

Oh you poor thing! That's horrendous. Have a cup of sweet tea and take your pooch to the vet to get him checked over. The vet might know the dogs' owner so it's worth asking - I'd report this to the police, to be honest.

I hope you feel better soon. If it was me, I'd be shaking for days!

How scary. Hope you both feel better soon. I would be round there giving the owner a piece of my mind.

Thanks so much. I'm starting to calm down now a bit. I had to scream and scream at the top of my voice for what seemed like minutes before they came out.

They weren't massively sympathetic and I have a nasty feeling they are going to try and blame my dog somehow. He was so scared bless him he managed to actually escape from both his harness and collar!! But I reckon they are going to try and say he was off lead and went on to their land (this happened a couple of times when he was a puppy and I quickly retrieved him). Their land is completely insecure which is how they all got out. A few months ago one of them jumped a gate around the front and went for him but the owner got him back quickly. My dog, afaik, has never shown them any aggression at all.

We live in a small village, they are part of a 'clan' and this is all going to be so difficult When they got the dogs off I was a complete mess, crying and shaking, snot running down my face

I've also had to cancel my hospital appt because I was so delayed, and frankly, not safe to drive afterwards. Means taking a day off work which will be very difficult and very embarrassing as I only started a few weeks ago

They haven't got much moral high ground if their boundary is insecure and their dogs have previously got out, no matter how many times your pup might have strayed onto their land.

Perhaps a local bobby or RSPCA Inspector might want to take a look and have a quiet word with these idiots?

Quick update: went to the vet and he is very, very lucky not to be seriously injured. He's OK, had his wounds cleaned and has got painkillers. He's followed me around the whole time since we got back and is a bit subdued

The owner of the dogs came round and asked how much the bill was and said "sorry he got hurt, but these things happen' I've asked why they hadn't put a gate on the field and apparently they've been too busy. Yes, right, boo hoo

I'm in two minds about whether to report the incident to the police really, given her apparent total lack of understanding about her responsibilities as a dog owner, grrr.

Report to the local dog warden. Police won't take anything to do with dog in dog attacks and the RSPCA are about as much use as a one legged man in an arse kicking competition. A visit from the dig warden might help to reinforce the message that they need to secure their boundaries and keep their dogs contained.

Hope your little fella is ok.

Hi there I'm a farmer and you should contact the police and footpath people try threw the council, we have a footpath threw our field by the house and we have to make the fencing dog proof as we would be liable if our dogs did anything to walkers and there dogs. I can't stand people who don't play by the rules, send him the vets bill and keep all records of contact with them. He could be in for a very hefty fine! The footpath inspector should be able to sort this out!.
I hope this helps, and there should be no excuses from the farmer!!

This happened to my dog last year and it's really affected her in terms of how she greets strange dogs now - I can really recommend socialising your little guy massively for the next few weeks with similar looking, but very friendly, dogs to try and get his confidence back up.

You have my every sympathy, definitely call the dog warden.

As a police officer myself I'd say it's worth reporting, there is legislation in place relating to the Dangerous dog act, being able to control your dog, keep it on a lead etc. For all you know this may not be the first instance reported to them about these dogs. Even if in worst case scenario there isn't enough evidence to charge them, I'm sure a visit from the police would help speed up the process of them securing the dogs properly with a gate.

Have not received any money yet and will check later to see whether the boundary has been secured (when I'm dogless, obviously ) I really am loathe to report to the police as this is such a small community and they are literally my neighbours

Dog seems OK, less clingy but I am currently taking painkillers for strained muscles in my face from where I screamed so hard!

Unfortunately we don't know any other dogs of those breeds, other than those owned by other members of the farmer's extended family

Report-I don´t suppose you´ve any proof that he said "sorry" & offered to pay the bill-thereby admitting fault?

As a bit of background I live on a farm and also used to be a footpath officer.

I agree with contacting the council. It's an offense to obstruct a public right of way and this includes with aggressive dogs. They may not take direct action but they will log the issue and add it to the file - I'm sure there will have been other incidents.

If you have a police support officer, it may be worth a quiet chat with them too.

Sorry this has happened to you. This happened to our neighbour and the farmer next door. His dog always went for our neighbours dog not ours it got worse and worse till quite severe injury to the dog. Just imagine if a child had been with you. Life maybe a bit uncomfortable but better than more serious injury to animal or child

The individual dog breeds are not known for their aggressiveness, it is the fact there are 4 of them that brings out their "pack instincts", and the farmer should know this and is responsible for keeping them fenced and high gated sufficiently and safely. He knows his fencing needs repairing, and this is the priority. I had a frightening experience, we had 2 friendly small female dogs on the lead, when a neighbour's female Dalmation approached alone and off the lead, with threatening body language and snarling. DH picked up the 10 kilo Westie and I picked up my 7 kilo Lhaso Apso. It was the Westie who was scared, and my Lhasa who was struggling to get out of my arms to defend us all. She would gone for the feet, ankles and shins, with her tiny teeth, but wouldn't have had a chance against the Dalmation. I was shaking too, but at least there was no attack. DH shouted at the dalmation and she went home. We didn't mention it to the neighbour, but decided to take the dogs for a walk from the back along the river instead of on the pavement at front of house.

My dog got attacked when we were walking home a couple of weeks ago by an off lead dog on the streets. The dog was on the other side of the road with the owner wondering several yards ahead. As soon as the dog saw ours he raced across the road and went for him. I had spotted the dog and as I'm wary of dogs off lead round our way from previous experience was prepared and managed to scoop my dog off the ground. The other dog managed to bite the back of my hand (which, I think thanks to the massive surge of adrenaline, I only noticed when I got home and saw the back of my hand was covered with blood!!) and carried on trying to get at my dog before the owner got him under control.

However, our dog warden (Barnet council) doesn't get involved in dog on dog attacks because they are "an act of nature"

I would definitely contact the police as you know who these people are. I really wish I had seen the bite on my hand when the owner of the dog that attacked mine was still there as I definitely would have reported him if I had in the hope they might take it more seriously.

Your poor dog and poor you!

I too would report them to the police. Regardless of them being neighbours, there's bad feeling there now anyway so may as well try and get them a kick up the bum to get things sorted.

Are there any dog training schools nearby? Even if it's a short drive? I mention this as there is one near to me that does doggy socialising classes and they might be able to help you in terms of spending time with some friendly dogs so yours can move on being less anxious of all dogs he encounters.