[gemy]

What a hugely scarey experience. But there is something called situational awareness, which in this case might not have helped in this situation; I am not sure of all the details.

Situational awareness, and as a citygal I do it quite well in the city, you are out walking your dog, big or small, matters not, but you are constantly scanning ahead for dogs on the loose, dogs out in a backyard, dogs being walked on lead that look out of control, and you try to give wide berth to same.
You also scan the environment for toddlers, kids, and adults who may run up to you and your dog, with no idea at all of how to approach a dog.

Having said this, I believe the dog and the owners need to be reported. The dog was not in the house (I guess and had leapt out through a window). You know sometimes things happen. I had a GSD run after Razzle, he jumped through the screen of his living room window. Did I report him or the owner? Nope, because you know what, the dog was inside, Razzle who I had let off lead to run home (a training exercise) elected to run under that window; it was just too much for the young GSD. So in my mind I was more at fault then the GSD owner. Although there have been reports in the neighbourhood, of this GSD biting folks. Sigh.

Sometimes things happen so fast that umbrellas, or mace, etc can't be employed in a timely way; and that is where situational awareness comes in. It is a tactic you employ to cut down your re-action time, to try to see if only a few seconds ahead what is happening. Always err on the side of caution. Cross the street, rein in the lead, turn around and walk away, pick up a Yorkie.



had