Dog keeps attacking mine - any ideas?

[AlexaNeverListens]

So I take my dog for a walk early, before work, usually around 6am.

There aren't many places where I can take her where she doesn't have to wear a lead but I've got one route that I regularly do which is about 3 miles - perfect.

About 6 weeks ago my dog (border terrier who has no aggression in her whatsoever) got attacked by a big black mongrel. It charged over to her growling, nipped her, made her yelp and eventually ran off. Owner ignored.

A few weeks later I saw him again so I picked my dog up. His dog then tried to attack her again, while she was in my arms. The dog was jumping up at me (nearly knocked me over). Owner stood and watched and didn't even call its name. I said "are you going to get your dog off me?" and he said it was my own fault for picking my dog up. I said I picked her up because he attacked her last time. Owner said he was friendly and wouldn't attack (!?).

Saw him again this morning and his dog came charging over before I could pick my dog up. He attacked again and made her yelp in pain.

So this time I was seething and shouted over to him to get his f*ing dog under control. He then said I had a potty mouth, his dog didn't touch mine (?), called me a silly bitch and walked off.

I'm so limited as to where I can go and what time I can go so - what do I do if I see it again? Does anyone have any advice as to how I can stop it attacking my dog? Owner obviously isn't interested. I've seen it go for another dog too and he just ignored that.

Any help would be appreciated, it's a really lovely walk and I'm so annoyed that one totally irresponsible owner can spoil it for us ☹️

Urgh :( some owners are just awful. You could give the local dog warden a call for advice - he's basically got his dog running around out of control and sounds like he could do some damage if he hasn't already :(

Thanks @bunnygeek

I've never done anything like that before (had dogs for years but never come across anything like this).

I might try and get it on video if I see him again so I've got some proof. It's so frustrating when one dog owner can literally ruin your daily walk...

I do sympathise but tbh, I think your only option is to change route.

Not that you should have to of course but there is no reasoning with awful people like this.

Your only option is to stay away really, that or defend your dog and scare and/or injure the offending dog and it’s owner but that wouldn’t be safe.

Sorry OP

I might try and get it on video if I see him again so I've got some proof
Please don’t.
The police and council do not take dog aggressive dogs seriously.

They only care if a person is injured.

Do not put your dog in harms way just to gather evidence.
Nothing good will come of it.

Can you walk your dog elsewhere OP? Failing that, why don't you take someone with you ( another man) when you walk your dog so you don't feel quite so vulnerable when it happens again?
The guy is a bully. And so is his dog by the sound of it

Walk softly; carry a big stick. Don't hit anything with the stick, but if you place it between your dog and harm, you might find he keeps his dog under better control. Furled golf umbrellas will perform a similar function.

@TheDiddlyGang - sorry, I didn't make it clear, I meant if I picked my dog up I could film it jumping up at me trying to get to her. I wouldn't ever let my dog go anywhere near it again. But I get your point, it's probably not very safe. I was just so cross this morning you don't think rationally!

@Anordinarymum my DH is a fireman and can't come with me when he's on days or nights - only his days off.

I know I'm going to have to find somewhere else, but it's so annoying. Other than him, it's the perfect walk.

I just wondered if anyone had any tips on what I could do to stop the other dog going into attack mode?

I’d be tempted to kick it away but then the dog will suffer. Why should you have to have your walk spoiled by an ignorant misogynist who can’t be bothered to keep his own animal from being a bloody nuisance. I bet he wouldn’t have told your husband he’s a silly bitch.

If the dog approaches yours, you could try any one of the following:

Shouting "stop" or "no" firmly.
Telling it to go away (again, loudly and firmly)
Distracting it by chucking a handful treats on the floor (while it's sniffing, you can then make a quick exit)
Carry a stick and use it to "body block" and don't be afraid to use it if you feel the dog is going to bite you.

This man has already committed an offence under the dangerous dogs' act. His dog is out of control and has bitten your dog. You could (and should) report him to the dog warden. I know you don't know his name, but you have a description of him and his dog, and know where he walks and when.

I'm sorry this keeps happening to you - some owners really don't give a shit.

I agree with cupsofcoffee, give a description and when you tend to meet him, to the dog warden, PCSO. The dog does not have to have harmed anyone but if there is a fear of harm that is also an offence.

give a description and when you tend to meet him, to the dog warden, PCSO. The dog does not have to have harmed anyone but if there is a fear of harm that is also an offence
There’s nothing wrong with doing that and indeed, if the dog goes on to bite someone a previous report about him won’t look good and will add to the case but OP needs to be aware that usually, although technically the law has absolutely been broken, it is highly unlikely anything will actually be done as it is dog on dog.

OP needs to be aware that usually, although technically the law has absolutely been broken, it is highly unlikely anything will actually be done as it is dog on dog.

While this is true, the OP could also claim she was in fear of getting injured as the dog jumped at her, which changes it from dog-on-dog to dog-on-human.

I also think whether action is taken or not is really down to the area you live in and the dog warden you happen to see!