owners who allow their dogs to attack other dogs

[aspen]

hi, this is my first post and i'd like to ask the forum for some help and advice. however, for those a bit squeamish, please do not read this.

i was in the park today and two massive german shepherd mixes, off-leash, came towards my dog and i. i asked the owner if they were friendly. he and his son said yes. i held my hand out, as they passed me by, to say hi. but their attention turned towards my dog and started to attack him in unison . i immediately chased them off.

my dog didn't seem to be bitten but i asked the owner if i could get his name and phone # if i were to find a wound later. he was very quickly moving away with his dogs and said there was no need for this.

i asked a couple nearby if they had a cellphone i could use and i told the man that if he didn't provide his name, i would immediately called the police.

as it turned out, the couple said their dog had been attacked by the same man's dogs 1 1/2 years ago and needed stitches. so. i followed the man to the parking lot and got his license #. i didn't call the police.

the reason i am being such a pain is that my dog, when he was only 5 months old, was bitten at another park and needed 5 stiches. at the time, the owners were also refusing to take responsibility and i had to rush my dog to the hospital. i couldn't do anything then, but i want to do something this time.

the people at the park who saw all this didn't really want to act as witnesses because they think neither the police nor the humane society will anything.

i am wondering what i can do to make sure this man is not going to be a nuisance to other dogs, or even children, in the future? how can one assure he either leashes them or muzzle them? he has a very bad attitude for he was calling me crazy and to beat it.

it's getting kind of scary to go out for a walk these days! and this is the suburbs...

[Jenny]

I would definately make a report. If these dogs end up seriously hurting another dog or person, then at least there will be a record.

[poodlesmom]

I agree 100%! Luckily you were with your dog & able to fend off their attack on him. Since he isn't a responsible person on his own, hopefully the authorities might be able to help him get some.

[Novel]

Is there a leash ordinance in your area? If so, I agree with the others, that you should report this, just to start the paper trail if nothing else. If you call the police they will most likely put you in contact with animal control or the humane officer.
Is the park a dog park? Is it a park where dogs are allowed? If it's a dog park, things get a little funny about liability when you walk in the gate. If it's just a public park that allows dogs, darn, it's too bad that irresponsible owners have to do this, because it's just about impossible to find a park that allows dogs anymore. If it's a park that doesn't allow dogs, you'll have to explain what your dog was doing there, but I assume that's not the case.

Good luck with your endeavors. It's too bad that people can't be responsible, but I can't see spending time wishing for something that isn't going to happen. Good thing our tax money goes to pay for things we can't enjoy because of a few bad apples. OK, I must end before I really get going!

[Coldnose]

From what I understand, you can call animal control and give them the guy's license plate #, and they will send him a citation. Could be wrong though, since I am only speaking in reference to my state. But, I totally understand your feelings. A similar experience happened at the dog park I went to. It involved a large intact male Great Dane and a Husky. The GD had a history of attacking other dogs, and the owners refused to take responsibility. They were even hostile towards the owner of the Husky. The same GD had even tried to attack my dog once, but I was able to chase him off. It's a shame when people don't take responsibility for their dog's actions.

[aspen]

thank you all for the replies

it's a sad day indeed when a man has to fend for his dog..(shouldn't it be the other way?) i feel the weight of the packleader... is my dog going to look to me for all his security needs now?

i think there should be a code of ethics amongst dog owners. #1 you are responsible for your dog's aggression.

by the way, you all have such supermodel dogs and i thought mine was really cute.

[bigdoglover]

It seems obvious to me that the guy knew he messed up....running off like that. Sounds like this has happened more than the one time 1 1/2 years ago. It's really too bad that he knew how his dogs would act, yet he still lets them run loose. I'm just glad your dog wasn't hurt!!

[Jenjeanne]

It's truly a shame that people aren't more considerate of others. Most people I see keep their dogs on a leash. We do too, even though our dog was extremely friendly and never showed any aggression. We have run into a similar problem like yours before and I was amazed that the owners of the other dog seemed annoyed by us instead of appologizing for their dogs actions. I hope you go after this guy...good luck!!

[animal_luver_girl17]

I'd for sure report this. It's really annoying when people don't take responsibility for their dogs.

[Kade]

I'd report it to get the paperwork into the system. Then if it happens again and someone else reports it, they'll take it more seriously.

In the meantime, get some pepper spray!

[aspen]

hi all:

i just want to let you know that i did report this to animal control and they'll probably contact the police to find the man and dogs in question. fyi, animal control says that any attack by a dog towards dog or human, irregardless whether it drew blood or not, can be reported, at least in the state of california.

thanks again for all your moral support. i hope the man will learn from this and leash his dogs when other dogs are around.

i am more surprised at the indifference of those who were present at the park, including one dad with two little kids and the couple with their dog that was attacked 1 1/2 years ago.

[aspen]

LOL. pepper spray for dogs..

[Ritz459]

That makes me think of what Rip's Girl (Grace) said on Chazhound...her Border Collie was attacked by an offleash Pittie, Grace was knocked to the ground and both of her knees where popped out of socket, Dokota freaked out and ran onto her lap, and then when Grace finally got her knees tended too, she was swinging Dakota's leash trying to fend of the Pit, and then the Pit's owner shows up and goes, "What the he** is wrong with you? He is only trying to play, you *****!" Or something along those lines. She didn't even see if Grace was ok, and poor Dakota was freaking out and had a cut on his ear.

Makes you wonder what this world is coming too....

[aspen]

everyone's idea of rough play seems different. men tend to see it as play and women see it as an attack (esp if knee sockets are popping out)

did she sue?

[APBTs2005]

oki understand what ur saying but just because a dog is dog aggerisive doenst mean its gonna go out and kill a child or person. I dont care if u make a report it u wont win in court, no scars, no ingures, no one will care. Words dont make a report evindece does