I normally walk my dog nice and early and was returning at 7.15 this morning. As we approached the front door to my house two dogs - Stafford and a pit-cross (to my eye at least) - came out of nowhere, off the lead and attacked Herbie. The Stafford immediately went for his face so I kicked him a couple of times whilst trying to grab the pit by the collar - plus, Herbie was on the lead so I had that in the other hand. Fortunately Herbie got the Stafford on his back and had him pinned at the throat/head, but this is where it went wrong (if it wasn't wrong already...)
The owner of the two dogs arrived after around 90 seconds and, on seeing him and assuming he would help (big mistake), I pulled Herbie back to give the guy a chance to grab his Stafford - but he didn't, because he was clearly scared of Herbie. At that point the Stafford got loose and got a hold on one of Herbie' back legs and the pit somehow got a front leg. After much kicking, punching and twisting of collars I managed to get them off one at a time - all the time the owner telling me to keep hold of my dog, and that he only has his dogs off the lead because it's early and there isn't usually anyone around. He only had one lead anyway, put the pit on it and was still scared to come and get the other dog. Eventually I got Herbie in the house, with the help of a neighbour and dragged his dog away and down the road, from where it ran after it's owner. No apology...
Herbie has several deep bite and puncture wounds on his legs and is limping badly on his back leg, so I've taken him to the vet. Antibiotics and painkillers, and a possible broken foot bone (subject to an X-ray on Friday) and the poor guy is very subdued. Having discovered from neighbours that this isn't the first incident with these dogs, I also reported the incident to the police, who were as helpful as they can be. Initially their reaction was, if it's "dog on dog" we don't usually do anything. I persuaded them that it was way more serious than that, and to consider what would have happened with a smaller dog and perhaps a child or elderly owner. They agreed and admitted that this could be an offence covered by having dogs "dangerously out of control in public" and have passed it on to the local dog team.
I have some regrets - I should have looked after Herbie first and not allowed the Stafford out from under him until the owner had hold of him, I should have shouted for help and got the attention of a neighbour, I should have been more assertive with the other owner about getting his dogs away himself.
The aftermath won't be great either. I live in Brixton, in South London, and there is a problem with gangs using pits as weapons. Consequently, the dog team are likely to get a warrant and seize the pit under the BSL/Dangerous Dog Act, which I am not personally a supporter of. Plus, the guy knows where I live and will know that I reported the incident, meaning I'm going to have to be cautious generally and when walking the dog over the coming days. It's not something I will back down from, but I don't relish confrontation.
Sorry for the long and rambling post, but in felt the need to share.
The owner of the two dogs arrived after around 90 seconds and, on seeing him and assuming he would help (big mistake), I pulled Herbie back to give the guy a chance to grab his Stafford - but he didn't, because he was clearly scared of Herbie. At that point the Stafford got loose and got a hold on one of Herbie' back legs and the pit somehow got a front leg. After much kicking, punching and twisting of collars I managed to get them off one at a time - all the time the owner telling me to keep hold of my dog, and that he only has his dogs off the lead because it's early and there isn't usually anyone around. He only had one lead anyway, put the pit on it and was still scared to come and get the other dog. Eventually I got Herbie in the house, with the help of a neighbour and dragged his dog away and down the road, from where it ran after it's owner. No apology...
Herbie has several deep bite and puncture wounds on his legs and is limping badly on his back leg, so I've taken him to the vet. Antibiotics and painkillers, and a possible broken foot bone (subject to an X-ray on Friday) and the poor guy is very subdued. Having discovered from neighbours that this isn't the first incident with these dogs, I also reported the incident to the police, who were as helpful as they can be. Initially their reaction was, if it's "dog on dog" we don't usually do anything. I persuaded them that it was way more serious than that, and to consider what would have happened with a smaller dog and perhaps a child or elderly owner. They agreed and admitted that this could be an offence covered by having dogs "dangerously out of control in public" and have passed it on to the local dog team.
I have some regrets - I should have looked after Herbie first and not allowed the Stafford out from under him until the owner had hold of him, I should have shouted for help and got the attention of a neighbour, I should have been more assertive with the other owner about getting his dogs away himself.
The aftermath won't be great either. I live in Brixton, in South London, and there is a problem with gangs using pits as weapons. Consequently, the dog team are likely to get a warrant and seize the pit under the BSL/Dangerous Dog Act, which I am not personally a supporter of. Plus, the guy knows where I live and will know that I reported the incident, meaning I'm going to have to be cautious generally and when walking the dog over the coming days. It's not something I will back down from, but I don't relish confrontation.
Sorry for the long and rambling post, but in felt the need to share.
