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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Puppy killed by two dogs

37 replies

NoWords · 11/09/2013 09:43

I've name changed for this as it will probably identify me. My mum was out walking her dogs in fields yesterday when she came across a woman with two very large dogs, she's not sure of the breed. One was very aggressive and she managed to pick up the older dog but the 7 month old puppy ran off, the dog chased him and ripped him to pieces right there in front of them. I can hardly believe that this has happened - I only saw him the other day, my mum's in bits and totally traumatised. She's only had him 5 months, she got him to replace her dog she'd had for many years who was hit by a car at Easter. Such a horrible run of luck, I have no idea what I can even say to her.

The woman actually had the dogs on a lead but couldn't control them, apparently she let go of the lead and just stood there screaming. The dogs were supposed to be put down last night. She apparently has no insurance for the dogs. Surely it's a criminal offence to be in charge of two animals you can't control?

It makes me feel nauseous just thinking about it. Sad

OP posts:
LesserSpottedNeckSnake · 11/09/2013 09:48

Oh God :( Your poor Mum. How devastating.

LegoAcupuncture · 11/09/2013 09:51

Oh how awful :(

gaggiagirl · 11/09/2013 09:57

So sorry, what an awful thing to happen.

mintchocchick · 11/09/2013 10:10

Poor puppy , that's awful. Your mum must be feeling so upset. She'll take a while to come to terms with that. Lots of TLC for both of you, especially your Mum.

1MitchellMum · 11/09/2013 10:44

So sorry. I once witnessed a large dog killing a small fluffy one - just awful. RIP little one.

Original poster
NoWords · 11/09/2013 10:46

Thank you. I just don't know what I can do to help. Probably nothing but I'm wondering if I should call the RSPCA or something? I just want to feel like there's something. My mum said she was up all night just seeing what happened over and over. Sad

OP posts:
Casanunda · 11/09/2013 10:53

How utterly devastating for your mum - and poor puppy. There really is nothing you CAN say that will make her feel better, there was nothing else she could have done. I'm not sure the RSPCA can/will do anything - would informing the police be an appropriate thing to do? I'm so sorry, I cannot imagine being in her position, I would be destroyed if it were my dog Sad

cathpip · 11/09/2013 11:00

How dreadfully upsetting for your mum, I would be inclined to phone the police and report as she was not in control of her dogs even though they were on a lead ( why drop the lead?) hopefully a police caution if they can give one and being able to confirm that the dog who killed your mums pup has been pts ( which imo is the correct thing to do)may give her an ounce of peace.

fanoftheinvisibleman · 11/09/2013 11:01

I think thr person to contact is your local dog warden at the council.

So sorry for you all, I can't imagine how you feel Sad

LEMisdisappointed · 11/09/2013 11:09

Oh you poor thing, your poor mum and that poor poor puppy :( Angry

I would second a call to the police at least to be assured that the other animals have been put down. I suppose there isn't anything much else to be done. I know it doesn't help but if the owner of the other dogs is anyway a decent person they too will feel terrible.

It was a very traumatic thing your mum has had to deal with, it may help her to go and talk to her GP.

Flowers So sad

cathpip · 11/09/2013 11:12

Have just spoken to my friend who is a policeman. It's a dog on dog so no offence, they can go round and have a word but they have no authority to insist that the dog is pts.

LtEveDallas · 11/09/2013 11:40

I am so very sorry for your mum and the puppy. Unfortunately a dog on dog attack is unlikely to result in the attacking dogs being PTS. The police can recommend/suggest it to the owner, but cannot enforce it.

I would speak to the Dog Warden first, they will know (probably) if the attacking dogs have any 'history'. If they don't I'm afraid there will be little you can do.

I'm so sorry, such an awful thing to happen.

Original poster
NoWords · 11/09/2013 12:16

I've just found this - I don't know if this is the new legislation that's just been looked at but sounds like if your dog attacks another dog the owner could be fined or jailed?

I think that the police are involved but I'll check in with my mum again in a bit and see what's happened. I guess all I can do is go round with some flowers - there's not really much cheering up to be done in this horrible situation. One walk and three dead dogs, it defies belief. Sad

OP posts:
SubliminalMassaging · 11/09/2013 12:18

God that's just awful. How traumatic for your poor mother. Have you found out what breed of dogs they are yet?

mintchocchick · 11/09/2013 12:49

You said your Mum was up all night going over what happened in her mind - that is a very normal response to witnessing any sort of traumatic event.

It might help if you could reassure her that it is totally normal and that it might go on for some time to come. She will be in a state of agitation and memories of the event will intrude into her thoughts. Some people feel like they are going mad and get really upset that this is happening and for those people it can really help to know that it's to be expected and completely normal.

She should try and keep everything else in her day/life as calm and undemanding as possible till she's through the worst of this agitated state. So quiet, calm as much as possible. Not the time to be making any difficult phone calls/ confrontations outside of this situation. Anything that might increase her stress levels further should be postponed or done by someone else. Little baby steps in terms of returning to walking, short walks, local, well known places, with someone else if that's possible. Not a case of getting straight back on the horse, more take an approach of baby steps, low demand and lots of support. She'll be glad of being with you.

DreadLock · 11/09/2013 12:57

Oh my god, that is awful. Your poor mum watching that happen to her puppy. No idea what the procedure is but surely the other owner needs a visit from someone?

ILikeToClean · 11/09/2013 13:21

No advice but just wanted to say how sorry I am - your poor mum. I read this in shock...devastating.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 11/09/2013 13:25

Oh your poor mum, that is absolutely awfulSad

Must have been absolutely terrifying and horrific to have to see. So sad and so unnecessary really, I don't know how things can change but people should not be allowed to keep dogs they can't control.

Floralnomad · 11/09/2013 14:32

You can definitely take action ,someone on here a little while ago was taken to court over a dog on dog incident ,and it was started by the other dog but because her dog is big the little dog came off worse IYSWIM . I also recently read about an incident local to my mum where someone got fined for a dog on dog attack ( small dog was PTS due to injuries sustained) . Its no consolation for your mum but it may help somebody else in the long run.

Original poster
NoWords · 11/09/2013 15:55

This sounds daft under the circumstances but I don't know what to tell the kids!? (5 & 7) Seems like 5 minutes since I had to sit down and tell them that the last dog got killed and here we are again. Sad I think I'll have to lie about the details, they don't need to know what actually happened.

My puppy loved my mum's puppy and I know when we go there he'll be running all over looking for him. Sad

OP posts:
LEMisdisappointed · 11/09/2013 17:02

So very sad for your mum - i think let her take the lead when it comes to doing anything about the other owner, she may just want to forget it. I have been thinking about this thread all day with a lump in my throat so i can only imagine how upset you all must be. I know that at the vets I worked at we had the number for a bereavement counsellor for people who had lost their pets. Maybe your mum would benefit from a session so that she can talk out what happened, so traumatic, i will take time for her to get over it :(

You say you have a puppy? that will be painful for your mum, i know its so very soon after and the puppy can't be replaced, just as he wasn't a replacement for his predesessor, but maybe talk about another pup, or even a rescue dog for her, in the next few weeks?

Flowers
LEMisdisappointed · 11/09/2013 17:02

So very sad for your mum - i think let her take the lead when it comes to doing anything about the other owner, she may just want to forget it. I have been thinking about this thread all day with a lump in my throat so i can only imagine how upset you all must be. I know that at the vets I worked at we had the number for a bereavement counsellor for people who had lost their pets. Maybe your mum would benefit from a session so that she can talk out what happened, so traumatic, i will take time for her to get over it :(

You say you have a puppy? that will be painful for your mum, i know its so very soon after and the puppy can't be replaced, just as he wasn't a replacement for his predesessor, but maybe talk about another pup, or even a rescue dog for her, in the next few weeks?

Flowers
Original poster
NoWords · 11/09/2013 18:52

I might suggest the counselling, that's not a bad idea. She's completely in bits.

Thank you mintchocchick for your post too - that really helped, I don't see how she could not have PTSD after seeing that. She keeps reliving the gory details and it doesn't sound like it was a quick, merciful killing. Sad

OP posts:
idirdog · 11/09/2013 19:13

How horrific, I just can't imagine how your poor Mum is feeling and you too.

This is absolutely barbaric and what a horrendous thing to witness - I would certainly need help to get over this.

Can you contact Trevor Cooper he knows all there is to know about dog law - he is very approachable and would be able to tell you what you could do legally about the situation here

On an emotional level I wish there was something we could do to help your Mum hugs and thoughts are with her Thanks

Tiredtrout · 11/09/2013 19:17

Please suggest to your mum that she reports the other owner to the dog warden and the police. She can be prosecuted