What to do when a dog attacks

[NotAllIndividuals]

I've search through other threads and online but I can't quite see what I'm looking for so posting for advice. It would be great to hear from a police officer or professional dog handler.

Yesterday we were walking on a dog friendly beach. Within a 50m section there would be at least 1 or 2 dogs so it's busy. Most dogs are off lead running into the sea, digging, chasing balls etc. and it's fantastic for them. I was chatting to a couple as my dog was playing with theirs when we saw an attack. 2 large but sleek dogs (not sure of bread) were tossing a little fluffy dog between them and biting. All dogs were off lead so the owners were struggling to get in to separate them. The two didn't give up easily but after a couple of minutes the owner did manage to prise the attackers off and the little dog got away. It was walking away so there is a chance the attack looked a lot worse than it was but it did look very bad with the little one being tossed around.

I had grabbed my dog and the couple I was talking to had done the same, then the man went to help separate the attackers. He came back with a cut on his hand but thought it was from a lead slicing into him in the chaos rather than a bite. One of the attacking dogs was muzzled, but honestly I'm not sure that it was during the attack as I don't see how the attacking dogs could have been pulling the little one between them if one was muzzled, so the owner might have slipped it on in the confusion or to bring the dog under control.

I was shaken, not as much as the owners or the dog, but it got me thinking how I would react if this happened to my dog. My questions are; what should you do to stop an attack like this? Is there such a thing as a 'playful' attack where the dog doesn't mean harm? Are there legal things to consider like contact details, witnesses and photos? Is it any different getting involved if it's not your own dog being hurt?

I was thinking about getting a walking stick to help my balance, now I'm thinking it might be protection too, but could I get into trouble, or would it make a dog more angry if it got a solid whack if it was attacking? There's a bit of whataboutery but the beach is not exclusively for dogs so I couldn't help think what would have happened if it was a child the dogs went after, made me feel sick. I want the beach to be a great place for everyone and the off lead opportunity for exercise is doggy heaven, I just want to know what to do if things go wrong.

Sorry for the derail OP.
Vallahala Im still digging for the original articles (I don't have full access to pubmed). This website is interesting.

We had to go through quite a sad and stressful time due to a dog attack. We were on the beach with our 2 year old when disaster struck.

From nowhere a large build cross breed ran towards DS and knocked him to the floor, he then began to drag DS by his coat biting through the puffer jacket to DS's arm. The scream from DS were horrific.

We are dog owners and own a Mastiff breed but hadn't brought him on the walk that day.

DH grabbed the attacking dog by the throat cutting off the dogs airway, once the dog had released DS. I turned away but I remember hearing DH's pounding punches and kicks slamming in to the dog, the yelps were so loud, the owner was screaming "STOP" DS was screaming and crying and I was desperately applying pressure to his arm wounds, and suddenly we just all heard a loud crack. DH had broken the dogs sternum and killed the attacking dog.

It's important to note here that DH is a paratrooper and athletic and muscular built 6ft4 man. The dog stood no chance. The owner was shaking and crying, she phoned the police, paramedics and police arrived, DS was treated and taken to hospital. The police basically said no action would be taken against DH as he was protecting our son from a dog attack.

DS is fine and has no fear of dogs, he cuddled our mastiff when he got home from hospital.

I do feel so sorry for that dog owner who lost their pet, but it attacked a child. In a way I think thank god DH was there it was our child and the dog was killed because I would hate to imagine what would have happened to say a single woman and her toddler of it wasn't us.

OP also sorry for detrail Allstarspookster thank you I know of Martin Fischer so will have a quick search to see what he says interesting.

Bloody hell StormCloudsdoClear

Bloody hell Storm, awful incident to happen but why did your dh go so far as to actually kill a dog with his bare hands/feet? That's absolutely terrifying.

Storm that is a horrific story, I’m glad your DS is okay but your DH went way beyond reasonable force! He had stopped the attack but went on to kill the dog with his bare hands. How can you actually live with a man who is capable of that?

Some really good advice, glad I asked! I think carrying water and an umbrella, and being quick to whip off a coat would be my best options. I don't think this is very likely to happen to us as my girl is the softest Labrador golden retriever cross who lays at the feet of most dogs she approaches, but it's good to be a little prepared.

I've not heard of the yellow ribbon thing before, is that common practice? We have a yellow fluro extending lead, do people think that means the dog is anxious?

Well he has killed actual other human beings so I suppose a dog is minor on his scale of things to kill.

I didn't watch, my back was turned I was with DS, I imagine he just saw red and lost it completely, at the end of the day his child had been attacked.

Problem is when your trained how to kill someone an animal is probably easier/less effort. I live with him because I've never ever seen that aggression in him on a daily basis and never since. Not even a drunken brawl from him or a loud word spoken at me. He's generally quite quiet and calm! Must have just snapped is all I've ever put it down to. I've never felt threatened or intimidated by him in all the years we've been together so I don't really know what happened that day.

Yes, yellow on the lead or dog means that the dog is reactive and please keep other dogs at a distance.

Storm I think in the exact situation your family were in a lot of people would have killed the dog which attacked their toddler in that way, if they were capable. You describe the dog dragging your child away while sinking it's teeth into his arm! The dog should have been put down anyway, if it wasn't killed on the spot.

If your son had been out with just his 6 stone granny/ 16 year old babysitter it might have been your toddler toddler killed.

I think many people would have done what your husband did if they could. It's a normal parental reaction to a full on violent attempt on their child's life!

Blue many people may have done it but most people are not trained killers with all the discipline that that training involves. The fact that a man whose job it is is to kill other humans has shown that he can completely lose control to the point where he kills a dog after he has neutralised the threat is NOT normal and completely contrary to all the training that he would have been given. Its shocking.

I can't really say anymore because I suppose only DH really knows why he went as far as he did, if it was intentional, accidental. If it was a pure flash of rage or controlled. I have no idea sorry.

All I know is I'm not scared or worried about DH, years have passed since the attack and he's always been as cool as a cucumber, I mean he doesn't even get road rage (unlike me). He's never worried me, has gone on to do other operational tours with no ill effects.

I've always said if it were we alone with DS I think DS would be dead. Maybe it was just a primal rage to protect his child and family, I've no idea?! I mean you have heard of people all across the globe killing people who have harmed their children.

So I don't know what to say really. I'm not inside DH's head, all I can say it was very frightening and DS screams as he was dragged were horrific, I'm just glad nobody else can be attacked by the dog if I'm being very honest.

@StormCloudsDoClear I know this is an old thread, but just had to post as counterbalance to those posters implying your DH was 'out of control' or used excessive force. Killing an animal that has threatened the life of your child is a completely rational and proportionate response. Your husband has been trained to use reasonable force to neutralise a threat from a human. Dogs are not humans. It should have been put down anyway.
I would definitely attempt to kill the dog in that situation, though as a not very fit or strong middle aged woman would be less likely to be successful.

Tbh if I had the strength to kill a dog that attacked Dd I would, without hesitation. And I’m not a violent person in the slightest. It’s one of my greatest fears and always keep her close when there are off lead dogs about.

@theboxofdelights

don’t kick dogs, you could rupture their vital organs

I would have no problem kicking a dog that is viciously attacking my very placid Labrador on a lead Through. None at all.

Same as me ! If any dog attacked my 11 month old golden I would do more than kick them

Agree I'd also kill to protect my child. I'd probably kill another dog that attacked my dog. Luckily for the world I'm weak and have no strength so I'm going to start carrying a bottle of water and remember the coat trick .

Thanks for flagging the yellow sign, my dog has one. Sometimes we will move to the side to allow another dog to pass and it's owner will still let their dog approach mine. I'm thinking of changing it to 'no dogs' just to be crystal fucking clear

Just recovering from Storm's harrowing experience. Awful for everyone involved.

I carry K9-17 spray (it is legal and NOT a pepper spray. It's what posties and police use). I've only ever had to use it once but it was very much necessary and crucially, it worked!