What if YOUR dog was bit?

[Lizmo]

Reading Fran's recent thread about her dog bitting the Doxie made me think about how I would react if I had the dog that was getting bit.

I'm honestly not sure how I would react to MY dog getting bit.

[elegy]

i reacted very badly.

but that was mostly because it was completely 100% preventable if people would not be so freaking STUPID. a loose unsupervised dog in a backyard left his yard (shocking, really) and came at my leashed dogs in the street. and then when mushroom's face was dripping blood, the owner of the loose dog tried to say that was her dog's blood dripping from my dog's mouth. um, no. (i called the cops.)

i have a lot more tolerance when it's an honest accident. a dog slips a collar or whatever. when the owner is right on top of the dog asap and apologizing and, you know, present and aware.

then again, my dogs have not been seriously injured.

[theresa92841]

My oldest dog, Gigi, has been attacked twice. Once the german shepherd had Gigi's head in her mouth but didn't bite down. Totally freaked Gigi and me out. The other time, a german shepherd chased her and bit her butt.

I understand that dogs are dogs and things happen. In neither case did I feel like the person responsible tried to shirk their responsibility. So I was able to treat it as matter of fact and just deal with the situation. I don't get angry or scream or whatever. It is what it is. In either case I would have felt totally justified in using extreme force on the other dog though to protect my dog.

I was the same way when the groomer didn't have my new puppy secured enough and she got spooked and jumped out of the bath and broke her leg. Dogs are dogs. They aren't 100% reliable in their actions. The new puppy had been bathed several times before by the same groomer, so her jumping out was totally unexpected. Yes it was preventable by the groomer. But she is only human. I bet she never makes that mistake again.

[stardogs]

I turn into a mama bear if it's obvious that the other owner isn't being responsible, otherwise I'm a bit more understanding, but I will hurt a dog attacking mine if need be and expect the other owner to reimburse for vet care regardless - I'd do the same if my dog injured another. Luckily we've not had anything worse than some snarking and rude dogs.

[SisMorphine]

When Wally was attacked, by a dog that we had both known for 3+ years, I did not take it well. I think if it was a FIGHT it would have been a different issue. But a one sided attack, I am NOT cool with.

Up until the day that the offending dog passed I could not bring myself to see him or even utter his name I was so disgusted. Like I said, I didn't react well at all.

But really if Wally had fought back, and if there had been a reason for the attack, I think I would have felt much differently.

[corgipower]

I really think it would depend on the circumstances. Was it an accident or irresponsibility? How was the owner of the attacking dog behaving? Were they actively trying to get their dog off? Were they sorry and helpful concerning my dog's injuries?

Although actually, I'd likely not be reacting much by then, because before my dog gets bit, the attacking dog will have to go through me.

[Southpaw]

Honestly, I'm way too passive and I'd probably just continue on my way. Unless like, my dog's face was ripped in half or something... then I'm not sure WHAT I would do, but there would be a strong reaction.

[Dekka]

I've been on both sides of the issue. As long as it wasn't a case like someone letting an aggressive dog run at large in a dog park (or loose in non dog area) then I am pretty understanding. It could come from my years of horse ownership and boarding. If someone's horse kicks mine I know its nothing personal from either the owner or their horse.

Same with dogs.. things happen, dogs are animals.

[Toller_08]

I'm one of those people who generally reacts calmy during a situation, and then go home wishing I'd done more. When Ripley was attacked I dealt with the situation calmly, talked to the other dog's owner, and checked Ripley over for wounds first and foremost. Fortunately he only had a few minor punctures, but was otherwise ok (aside from being terrified). I took his phone number just incase I needed to contact him further, but that wasn't necessary. He (the owner) was very cooperative and sincerely apologetic.

When Tango was attacked by a dog, I was just in complete shock and didn't really know what to do. I kicked the dog off of her, and yelled at it to get lost, and then hurried home with Tango. That dog was loose in a school yard where there are leash laws, and his owner was quite a ways away. He had another loose dog with him, and the dog who attacked Tango I was sure was going to come back for more, so I didn't hang around. I wanted out of there ASAP and I wanted to be sure my dog was ok. I did phone the police when I got home, but I'm not sure if they ever did anything or not.

[PoodleMommy]

Do you mean WHILE it was happening or AFTER?

In the midst of the attack I can imagine I would be screaming, kicking, yelling, crying maybe... lol... if there was blood I might even faint

After, I would be livid!!!! I would demand full payment of all expenses and make sure AC investigated.

Obviously this is assuming my dog is on a leash or on my property and the other dog is loose... if my dog were the one loose it would be a different situation (I dont let my dogs loose... just saying if something happened and they got loose.)