My dog bit an old lady.

[Milliemoons]

And I feel so awful about it. He’s a chihuahua, he’s tiny but he still drew blood. He’s never done it before. It was super windy, I had my newborn in a pram and my three year old who was running off and I took my eye off him for one second and he just launched himself at this poor lady.

He was off lead but he usually is and I’ve never had a problem (he’s 7). We were in a public park where dogs are permitted off lead. Needless to say I won’t be risking that again.

She was really worried about needing to go to the doctor to be vaccinated (I assured her he was fully vaccinated and healthy). I apologised over and over but the poor woman was shaken up.

I just keep thinking about it. DH says not to worry, I apologised and I reassured her I would not be allowing him off lead again.

Has this happened to anyone else?

You really should know you breed of dog.
Chihuahuas have bulging eyes and the wind can make them quite painful, a bit of grit could of got in his/ her eyes and that dog will then snap at the nearest person/ animal to them as that's in their nature as they are ratters and that's how they find and kill rats in holes.
Once you understand how your breed of dog works then that's the first part of your training done.
Imo the dog should not of been taken out in the wind, and the dog does need to be on lead in future, the dog has been OK with 1 child going through the baby and toddler years without issue so as long as the children are trained to respect the dog then the dog should not need removing, hindsight is a wonderful thing and I'm sure with all the comments on how the situation should of been handled the op wishes things were fine different but she was under a very stressful situation.
Maybe as people have suggested put a post out on local Facebook to see if you can locate the lady and you can make your post anonymous.

Not a dog owner, and don’t know anyone with a dog

but I would automatically assume you give your details. And yes of course she should seek medical treatment! Irregardless if the dog has been vaccinated!!! That’s obvious.
quite shocked you wouldn’t give your details and dh is “don’t worry”. This is really not on.

The old woman will definitely need a tetanus injection and also antibiotics. She will probably be nastily bruised as well and shaken up.
Your dog at least needs muzzling going forwards, to be permanently on a lead and I would carefully consider how you feel about your dog around your own children. I would have it put to sleep and I say that as a dog lover.

You had a new-born in a pram and and a toddler and you thought this would be a good way to get in a dog walk.

Actually, you weren't even walking your dog, as you're owners who lets your dog roam around out of control around pedestrians.

In future, walk the dog separately. Find the time. It's a chihuahua: 5 mins will seem like a marathon on its vestigial legs.

Track down that woman, check she has been able to manage the wound and bring her some flowers.

Scary stuff. I would make the point that I have rehomed from a Rescue Centre,a dog without a bite history.

Whilst evaluation takes place, they do rely on info from the previous owner. A dog breeder I know told me that many dogs in her particular breed, a very popular one, are rehomed due to snapping and biting. Not all, but a good many.

Sadly its not as simple as just handing to a local Rescue for the safety of all concerned.

What a horrible thing to happen. I hope the poor lady is alright.
Obviously you need to keep him on a lead from now on and a vet visit might be worth considering in case he is in any pain or distress (animals can be good at hiding it).
I wouldnt jump to any extreme decisions if he's previously been a very reliable dog as there is likely to be a reason even if you couldnt see it.

One of my Chi crosses bit a workman a few years back who entered the house unexpectedly. I felt horribly guilty but luckily he was forgiving, even though it drew blood.
Lesson learned though. He is now always walked on a shorter lead and is crated when anybody comes in the house. These things can happen sometimes as animals are unpredictable....its up to us to manage our response so it can never happen again.

I'm a dog owner, I love dogs. But I dont understand why we are taking our dogs out in public places off lead?

Its an unfortunate situation to be in OP. Do you know anyone who would offer your dog a home? It doesnt sound safe to have around unpredictable small children.

Honestly you should have been charged, that is an offence under the dangerous dogs act. How utterly irresponsible of you to have your dog out of so control that he’s wounded another person. I don’t understand how you manage to get away without any police involvement. Your dog needs to be on a muzzle.

@Unpaidviewer

who is gonna want a biting dog? The dog needs pts

Not to mention OP in a difficult situation as DH completely downplaying/dismissive and likely blame her ever more if dog is rehoused or pts.

I also hate businesses that allow pets inside, especially where food is involved.

Unfortunately it’s the norm where I live especially in terms of cafes and brunch spots etc. I even saw one in the library ffs.

The only place I can think of that doesn’t allow dogs on my high street Is the GP surgery and the Boots.

I do a lot of my shopping online or if i go to the high street I’m only briefly popping into shops or cafes so I try and just avoid the dogs.

But when I book dinner somewhere now I specifically ask if dogs are allowed or not as I’m going to want to sit and relax for a few hours, and don’t want to find out there’s a dog sat next to me or the waiters been petting dogs then serving my food without washing hands in between.

The old lady could also be on medications like blood thinners or some that affect her immune system. The dog bit the lady because the OP was negligent, not because it was windy.

In your view.

I’m not in my 70s or 80s but if a dog bit me and drew blood I would be in trouble because I’m on blood thinners (a higher dose than normal). I had a minor surgical procedure a while ago and was still bleeding from the wound two days later, so much so I had to go back to the hospital and have adrenaline injected into the wound. Quite painful.

They should not unless it is specifically a dog run.

This is why ALL dogs should be on the lead in all public areas. That poor woman. I'd be seeking medical treatment if I were her, and would expect you to control your dog from this time on. FFS, the country's full of idiots who can't or won't be responsible for their fecking dogs.

She might report you to the police OP. It’s a reportable matter. I’d take your dog to the vet ASAP and take advice on whether PTS is the best way forward.

What a silly comment. Some people are more susceptible than others. My husband has surged sepsis 4 times. Yes, really, 4. 3 times through an ongoing medical condition but once because of a minor dog bite, symptoms within hours.

Survived, not surged. Bloody predictive text.

@Theroadt

yep. And lots of other people’s too. Humans come first over dogs, always. You can fuck about with muzzles etc. but you can’t muzzle it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Well, you could I guess, but then in terms of quality of life being pts is kinder.

I’m immunocompromised. If I was bitten then I would be given antibiotics and we don’t wear signs saying immunocompromised…

Yes but you have mental capacity and if bitten by a dog would likely book a medical appointment as would the lady in this post! This is not difficult we are talking about competent adults here. The OP has behaved responsibly nothing more required, especially not stomping by rabid middle aged women on MN 🙄

Stoning! Typo above. Honestly get a grip people.

Unprovoked attack by your dog sorry but he needs to be PTS! He's a danger!

You are required to report this to the Police. It has to be logged in the bite register.
The lady should get antibiotics and a tetanus.
I would also recommend a muzzle going forward and also a vet check for your dog if this is out of character. There may be some pain or health issues you are not aware of.