Milo got bit by a husky! Advice please.

[skitterdoodle]

This happened a few hours ago. He's not bleeding or anything, but he's pretty shook up from what I hear. I wasn't there...I'm in Davis, Milo's with my boyfriend in Burlingame so this is all according to him.

The story: My boyfriend takes Milo to the dog park in San Mateo about once a week. He LOVES running around with the other dogs, and we've never had problems there. Today they go there and there's an ambulance there, something happened to some old guy and of course everyone's gathered around and watching. My boyfriend takes Milo to the small dog area as usual. There were 2 huskies there but my boyfriend was under the impression that they belong to this one lady that was leaving (they were on a leash). He looks away to see what's going on and turns around when he hears Milo squeeling: Milo's in the husky's mouth I'm not really sure how...my boyfriend sucks at illustrating with words. He's only about 4.5 lbs so I hope the husky didn't have him in his mouth like a rag doll Milo is crying and shaking and that's when I get a call from the boyfriend asking where the nearest emergency vet was

To complicate things, when my boyfriend asked the lady if the husky was hers, she said they belong to the man getting put in the ambulance. She got his address to take his dog(s) back home. My boyfriend got the address from her.

The vet said nothing seems to be wrong, no puncture wounds or bruises...asked if he wanted an x-ray...boyfriend said no. Vet said to take him to his primary vet if he starts acting abnormally and he sends him home with some pain meds.

What should we do? Milo is the first dog I've ever owned...Should we have opted for the x-ray or wait like the vet said? and who takes responsibility for it? My boyfriend wants to go to the owner's house and explain what happened to the man's wife or whoever is there and try to get them to pay for the bill (which is ~$130...maybe more if it's something more serious) but I think that's just weird and I don't know how that would go down..."Your dog bit my dog. can you pay the bills?" I think most people would just shut the door and call the cops.

My boyfriend doesn't think there were any witnesses because everyone was preoccupied by what was happening around the ambulance. Plus, he didn't get that lady's contact information (I got so mad at him for that, because she just might be able to back him up if they deny everything, even though she didn't see it happen)

We don't know who put the huskies in there...but who the #$%^&*(@#$%^%%#%^$ puts HUSKIES in the SMALL DOGS AREA?!?!?

I wish I was there to witness everything because the way my boyfriend explained it to me, it's confusing...I mean, I got mad at him for letting Milo loose even though he saw that there were huskies in there...but he said that he had a leash on so he thought they belonged to that lady....but obviously that lady wasn't holding on to the leash....gahhh....I think I'm getting too preoccupied about who to blame....I should just be happy that he's okay and hope that he's not broken (physically and mentally) *sigh*

I've attached the first and only tongue picture of him, just for kicks. He looks like he's wearing eyeliner and mascara. I wish I could be there, but I have to prepare to get my own butt kicked by my chemistry exam tomorrow at 7:30 am I'm sooo not in the mood to cram.

[Ladymom]

Oh, poor sweet Milo! I can't believe someone let Huskies into the small dog area!

Yes, the owner of the dog is responsible whether he was taken ill or not. Your boyfriend should have reported the incident to the police, maybe he still can. If the dogs are licensed and you have the man's address, it should be pretty easy for them to follow up on the attack.

Milo was very lucky he wasn't killed.

[JoshieBoy]

To complicate things, when my boyfriend asked the lady if the husky was hers, she said they belong to the man getting put in the ambulance. She got his address to take his dog(s) back home. My boyfriend got the address from her.

I am glad that your dog is OK, and I am sorry that he had to go through that traumatic experience. I watch many court shows, but I have never study law. I think the woman should be held responsible. The woman was responsible to take the dogs home safely. I think she resumed the responsibility when she agreed to take the dogs home. Maybe in this case you can choose who you want to pay for the dog's vet bills.

[kjc]

Hi. Sorry to hear this news.

I would be concerned with him getting shocky. Have your BF check his gum color (should be med dark pink) and press on the gums till the spot turns white, pull away the finger and see how long it takes to return to pink again. Should refill quickly. I'd also check his temp every hour. Sometimes holding a stressed Yorkie on your lap can help them to feel safe and comfortable, they can also benefit from your bodyheat while on your lap. Baby him to help him get through this. He'll probably be very sore, warm compresses may help. Make sure to offer him bland food, handfeed if necessary.

If his temp shoots up, his gums go pale, or do not refill quickly, get him back to the EV for an xray.

I am assuming both dogs are UPT on rabies shots?

[JoshieBoy]

Originally Posted by kjc

Hi. Sorry to hear this news.

I would be concerned with him getting shocky. Have your BF check his gum color (should be med dark pink) and press on the gums till the spot turns white, pull away the finger and see how long it takes to return to pink again. Should refill quickly. I'd also check his temp every hour. Sometimes holding a stressed Yorkie on your lap can help them to feel safe and comfortable, they can also benefit from your bodyheat while on your lap. Baby him to help him get through this. He'll probably be very sore, warm compresses may help. Make sure to offer him bland food, handfeed if necessary.

If his temp shoots up, his gums go pale, or do not refill quickly, get him back to the EV for an xray.

I am assuming both dogs are UPT on rabies shots?

You gave some good advice.

[skitterdoodle]

Originally Posted by JoshieBoy

I am glad that your dog is OK, and I am sorry that he had to go through that traumatic experience. I watch many court shows, but I have never study law. I think the woman should be held responsible. The woman was responsible to take the dogs home safely. I think she resumed the responsibility when she agreed to take the dogs home. Maybe in this case you can choose who you want to pay for the dog's vet bills.

That's what I tried explaining to my boyfriend also! (and also as a result of court shows and that animal cop show on animal planet ).

But anyway...my boyfriend went ahead and went to the address he was given. At first, no one was home, but the man's wife pulled up to the drive way just as he was about to leave the note. He explained everything that happened, including the fact that her husband was rushed to the hospital, which she didn't know until then! He said that she seemed very understanding and seemed to love animals and agreed to pay for the expenses.

He's also going to make a report to the human society (he went to the police department and they said they don't deal with animals)

Thanks for all the support everyone I'll tell him what you said, kjc.

[JoshieBoy]

Originally Posted by skitterdoodle

That's what I tried explaining to my boyfriend also! (and also as a result of court shows and that animal cop show on animal planet ).

But anyway...my boyfriend went ahead and went to the address he was given. At first, no one was home, but the man's wife pulled up to the drive way just as he was about to leave the note. He explained everything that happened, including the fact that her husband was rushed to the hospital, which she didn't know until then! He said that she seemed very understanding and seemed to love animals and agreed to pay for the expenses.

He's also going to make a report to the human society (he went to the police department and they said they don't deal with animals)

Thanks for all the support everyone I'll tell him what you said, kjc.

I am glad that the woman agreed to pay and that she loves animals. It might be best to get that she will pay for it in writing too.