[davina]

Hi everyone,

Since joining this site iv'e been mortified by the amount of people who have lost their little dogs through savage attacks from powerful dogs. My yorkie died last week as she was very old and the vet said there was nothing more he could do to treat her. Im heartbroken but I can't begin to comprehend how id feel if my dog was killed by another dog.
I have 2 other dogs who are both chihuaha x's, they are very young and friendly and when im walking them off lead they run towards other dogs. I avoid the local park as there is normally a few dogs loose, these are often staffies (pitbulls are illegal in the uk, but staffies are similar). I found a nice secluded meadow to walk my dogs but in the last week i've seen a staffie, a rottie and a bullmastiff all off leashes. So i normally put my dogs on leashes and briskly get away from these dog's with my heart pounding with fear.
I do not believe that any of these dog's are inately evil, they are normally victims of the owners that keep them and train them to be agressive. I also think it's unfair that people such as us should not be able to walk our little dogs and feel safe.
I am very interested in dog psychology and behaviour and read many books (especially any by Ceasar Milan) im am going to try and research the best way to deal with an agressive dog to prevent any more innocent little dog's getting killed. I am also in my first year of a law degree, so I am going to ask my tutor (a magistrate), what legal forms of defensive weapon i can carry on my walks, incase I am ever confronted with a dog attack.
I will keep you all posted on my findings. It wont bring any dog's back to life but hopefully it should prevent any more unecessary deaths. All our little yorkies are entitled to go for walks, why should they miss out because of iresponsible dog owners, many of who don't deserve to keep dogs.

Davina x