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The doghouse

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

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Original poster

Dog walking nightmare

18 replies

Fairyloo · 14/12/2013 13:56

Hi,

I am hoping someone can help. We dog walk dogs from the local dogs home at weekends. We are fairly inexperienced with dogs. We have been doing this for about 3 months.

Today we went the park with a little dog we have taken out a few times before. I let it off the lead, I know I shouldn't have but I thought it would be ok. I am do stupid I know. Why did I do this.

Anyway he ran off attacked a massive Rottweiler, got in a fight. We were terrified. Didnt know what to do. They were fighting Rottweilers owner screaming at us.

The owner if the Rottweiler has phoned the police and I am panicking that I will be arrested.

I am so naive and daft but have I broken the law. The dog was settled and lovely and I didn't have any concerns.

I am traumatised and worried about the police.

OP posts:

HedgehogsRevenge · 14/12/2013 14:05

Well, no you haven't broken any laws so don't worry about getting arrested. However I'm a bit surprised the dogs home allow inexperienced people to handle their dogs. They must have known this dog suffers with dog aggression and should have him muzzled in public with strict instructions not to let him off his lead. Very irresponsible of them. They are the legal owners of this dog so if anyone gets into trouble it'll be them.

Ephiny · 14/12/2013 14:07

What do you think you could be arrested for?

In some places you can get an on-the-spot fine for having a dog off-lead in certain areas, but generally only if you're actually caught in the act, and even then you wouldn't be arrested. Are you sure the other owner really called them, or did they just tell you that to frighten you?

Obviously it would be a good idea to keep dog on lead in the future (if it's not your dog and has uncertain recall, I certainly would!)

InTheRedCorner · 14/12/2013 14:09

You haven't broken any laws but I am as surprised as Hedgehog with the rescue.

No wonder the Rottie owner called the police.

Original poster

Fairyloo · 14/12/2013 14:11

It is concerning the dogs home seem so desperate for walkers. They do let anyone take them out.

I was really surprised that I was just allowed to take one out, had to provide some ID not sure why. Then just given a dog. They never know if they are good with children or ok with other dogs.

We are now banned from dog walking which is also really upsetting as we loved it, were both hoping to get more confident around dogs then to get our own. We have walked maybe 40 dogs with no other incidents apart from today. I can understand but thought we would just be advised to never let them off the lead (they have never been clear about this)

OP posts:

Original poster

Fairyloo · 14/12/2013 14:12

I thought I could be arrested for not being a responsible dog walker

OP posts:

AnnBryce · 14/12/2013 14:16

If they don't know if the dogs are OK with children or other dogs, I have to ask the obvious really. Why the jiggins did you let it off the lead in the first place?

Original poster

Fairyloo · 14/12/2013 14:18

Totally irresponsible of me. That why I'm do worried

Can't stop crying about the two poor dogs

OP posts:

Ephiny · 14/12/2013 14:19

Well I don't think you need to worry about being arrested or in trouble with the police. I'm surprised the rescue let inexperienced walkers take a dog out without clear instructions too, though, that seems irresponsible on their part. Hopefully it's a lesson learned for everyone.

Were both the dogs OK? Sometimes a 'fight' can look and sound much worse than it actually is. I hope no one was hurt.

AnnBryce · 14/12/2013 14:20

Deep breaths. What's done is done. Don't be too harsh on yourself, any telling off from the Police will not be as bad as the telling off you're giving yourself! Stop worrying.

MonkeysInTheFog · 14/12/2013 14:24

If the little one meant business it would have done the Rott a fair amount of damage.

If the Rott meant business the little dog would be dead.

The vast majority of dog fights involve a lot of posturing, a lot of awful sounding noise and surprisingly few, or minor injuries.

As a general rule the noisier the fight the less the damage. A dog intent on real harm doesn't tend to waste energy on noise.

Try to calm down and learn from the experience. And well done for trying to help dogs.

bellasuewow · 14/12/2013 14:24

To be fair the rescue centre really should have let you know about this however if they have just got the dog they may not be aware it goes for certain dogs and they may also have been unaware you were taking it off the lead. Don't worry these things happen you will not be arrested the rottie owner was probably in shocks and will not report it.

Original poster

Fairyloo · 14/12/2013 14:34

Thanks everyone.

You have all reassured me I'm not going to jail!!

My ds (8) is distraught she seen the fight and is absolutely traumatised

Any tips on what I could say to reassure him? Hoping it won't put him off dogs!

OP posts:

D0oinMeCleanin · 14/12/2013 14:47

Technically you have broken the law as you allowed a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place, however it is highly unlikely that anything will ever become of it, particularly given that no person was hurt and the size difference in the dogs. The rescue would also be held responsible as they could not prove that they had made efforts to ensure their dog was under the control of 'a person whom he reasonably believed to be a fit and proper person to be in charge of it'.

I'm very surprised a dogs home allowed this to happen. It seems like more and more rescues are going out of their way to discredit themselves and rescue in general lately The blame lies mostly with the rescue, imo. If you were inexperienced you should have been given some training, had a few supervised walks and only been able to take dogs that have been assessed to be good on the lead, good with people, good with other dogs and generally steady and reliable.

I agree with the poster who said if there was noise and no injuries it was unlikely to have been a proper dog fight, more like an over heated argument in dog language.

Don't let this put you off helping out, more reputable rescues will give you the support you need to do this safely. Where are you and we might be able to suggest some?

basildonbond · 14/12/2013 17:25

Definitely agree with the more noise, the less serious a fight can be

The worst injuries any of our dogs had were inflicted by two boxers on our little collie x - one went in front while the second came round the side - the second took a massive chunk out of his shoulder muscle, quite a bit of blood loss, expensive vets bills etc - it was unprovokec, there was no noise and it happened in seconds ...

rosebudandvodka · 16/12/2013 10:38

A scary thing for you

Did the dogs home not give you any guidance regarding keeping the dog on its lead, how it was towards others dogs etc?

Seems very irresponsible of them if not.

nitrox · 16/12/2013 11:13

Shame you can't walk the dogs anymore, especially as you realise your mistake and are sorry about it.

My dog went crazy at another dog once, a pit-bull type that was on the lead, mine was not.. the pit-bull did nothing wrong at all, but obviously dogs must sense a certain breed? Not sure, but it went crazy and I was so embarrased.

Anyhow, what I'm trying to say is, don't let it put you off getting a dog, we all make mistakes and I think partial blame can be given to the charity for not expressly advising you against taking the dog off the lead.

mistlethrush · 16/12/2013 11:17

I used to walk for the Dogs Trust many moons ago - they were very clear that you had to keep the dogs on the lead and you had to sign an agreement before you could take a dog out agreeing to a number of things - like the lead, picking up after the dog etc. You also left your car keys with them.

It doesn't sound as though they had gone through requirements with you very well.

FiscalCliffRocksThisTown · 16/12/2013 16:08

Are the dogs ok?

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