Puppy killed by two dogs

[NoWords]

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.

[MotherOfGirls]

What a tragedy. I have a puppy myself and am in tears reading what happened. Sending lots of love and support to your mum, who I imagine will need some good, professional support to come to terms with what has happened. I would certainly want to ensure the dogs were unable to do anything like this ever again and I would break the habit of a lifetime and lie to the children - I think it would be kinder than telling them anything like the truth in this instance.

[basildonbond]

oldbag - really not helpful ...

[HarrietSchulenberg]

My friend's dog slipped its lead last week, ran across a field and savaged a smaller dog. Small dog rushed to vet but sadly had to be PTS. No previous sign of aggression frpm big dog.
Police were informed and the small dog's owner was given a say in what the course of action should be. Options were a) prosecution which could lead to big dog being PTS, or b) big dog's owner (my friend) being given the chance to accept a Police caution and the dog be placed on the dangerous dogs register which would require him to be on lead and muzzled at all times in public.
Small dog's owner opted for b, and my friend accepted. She accepted a Police caution (and all it entails) and dog now muzzled and on lead in public. It was on lead before but had slipped it.
My friend was dreadfully upset about what her dog did. He'd shown no sign of aggression before and hasn't since. She's very wary of him now but can't afford behavioural training so she's having to walk him at odd times of day to avoid other dogs wherever possible.
Your mum should have a say in what the outcome should be and the police will get involved your mum's dog wasn't just attacked, it died.

[NoWords]

Hello. My mum is still devastated and in shock about the whole thing. I woke up at 3am and have been up ever since, I just couldn't get it out of my head. I think when she feels stronger she'll be pressing whatever charges she can.

Thank you for asking.

[mintchocchick]

Are you ok NoWords? How is your mum? I hope she slept better.

I agree with you about the kids - they don't need to know details at their age. Honesty is not always the best policy. Just give them quick explanation and try to avoid getting drawn into big questionning. You will need to make sure that they don't overhear conversations and phone calls or they will pick up that they're not being told everything.

[idirdog]

Hope your Mum was able to rest a bit last night - I still cannot get over how dreadful this is.

[thwinka]

I'm so sorry for yours and your mum's loss:( I can't even begin to understand how horrific it must be to witness something like that, and the anger you must feel towards the other dog owner. I would be absolutely devastated to lose my dog in such horrific circumstances:( and hope your mum can get good support to come through this.
I would agree though that the owner be reported to anyone concerned:(

[Tiredtrout]

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

[idirdog]

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

[NoWords]

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.

[LEMisdisappointed]

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?

[LEMisdisappointed]

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?

[NoWords]

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. 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.

[Floralnomad]

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.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

Oh your poor mum, that is absolutely awful

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.

[ILikeToClean]

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

[DreadLock]

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?

[mintchocchick]

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.

[SubliminalMassaging]

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

[NoWords]

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.