Terrible experience - my dog got attacked by a husky

[CouversMom]

I had a similar thing happen a month ago where the two neighbor dogs came running across, but my two were not on leash in the front yard. I was able to pick up one of my dogs, but the other one was chased around the cul-de-sac screaming like a banshee. She outrun her attackers and was not bitten, but I still reported the dogs. The other neighbors told us those dogs were always out and were charging at them.

I would definitely call AC. Maybe they will realize that they need to keep him contained! Huskies are not dogs that I would trust off of a leash.

[Magnus]

I'm glad both of you didn't get hurt. I've had similar experience but not as severe. I didn't report them. The owners are really nice people and do have a leash/handle on him. It was the relative/pet sitter that didn't have him on leash.

Anyway, funny enough, Buddy (the dog that attacked) is friends with Magnus now. Magnus even sits in front of his house when we walk by to see if Buddy would come out and play.

There are few dogs (labs mostly) that's not leashed. But I don't have a problem with them because I know them... They mostly just come up to me for treats. (I always bring extra treats for other dogs to get friendly with them) If there's a dog/house I know that's not really friendly, I just avoid walking that part of the neighborhood.

Btw... This was something I looked into when the first attacked happened. I ended up not getting it b/c I just started walking when I knew hardly anyone was out. Thought maybe you'd be interested.

Amazon.com: Petsafe Sprayshield Animal Deterrent...

[jeane]

I am glad that beanie is ok

[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

[Draco]

I'm so glad you and your baby are doing okay. That's all so terrifying. I half don't take too long of walks with Draco because I'm afraid of this happening, and I'm a small person.
But this thread has had lots of informative post so thanks for those of you that mentioned pet mace and animal detterrents.
I live and where I live most of the big dogs are guard dogs, and while it's mostly small dogs I see off-leash I always fear one of the large dogs could escape the yard. Surprisingly I'm only afraid when I'm with Draco, other than that I've never thought to carry any type of thing to protect myself...

[Lil Sis]

wow... so glad you and your baby are ok!! I am sure you were scared.
You have received a lot of good info.. and I agree with reporting (mostly due to the way the owners reacted) and to getting mace or a large stick!!!

I have had three incidents..one time the German Shepard next door picked up a pom we had at the time.. the owners very calmly said "drop it" and I had my very wet pup back. It was a little scary.. just was more careful not to be out at the same time as the gs

Another time a rescue grey hound picked up Sammy when he was a little pup and shook him. The owner tried to tell me the grey hound thought sammy was one of his toys... I was very new at dog ownership but I do think a dog knows the difference between a toy and a living breathing puppy!!

The third time a standard poodle attacked Remy-- we were standing in the front yard of the poodle owner and the poodle was "playing" with Remy. She was rolled over and being very submissive and the poodle picked her up and started shaking her.. the owner was bit getting remy away and seamed more concerned about her being bit then if Remy was ok. Remy was fine... the "attack" was mild and possible even play that was too rough because of size difference. I stayed away from then on.

so really I was lucky all three times, but I do worry and am very careful around dogs. I think dogs are an unknown... you only have control over your pup if that.

[sportschick]

Originally Posted by 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

Yes, I too am a city girl and have always HAD to have situational awareness, even before I got the Beanster. Plus, and don't laugh, I have to constantly scan for freakin dog poop around where I live. No one picks up their dog's poop. So, I really enjoy going to my friend's suburban neighborhood with my doggie.

And I also always pick her up when a large dog is coming down the same side of the street and I cross the street with her. A lot of times, the dog's owner will say, oh my dog is fine, she won't hurt your dog. Ahhhh, sorry I am not taking any changes.

The problem with what happened is that I didn't see the dog coming at us from the yard, he was SO fast, he was a blur until he was on top of Beanie. I was afraid to kick it's head because I could have kicked MY dog who was in its mouth. Oh God, I get chills thinking about it, I swear. I keep going over and over it in my mind trying to see what I COULD have done to protect my dog better. I am actually feeling a little guilty, but I know that there wasn't anything I did wrong. I should be able to walk my freakin dog safely.

And what REALLY upset me was the a-hole guy's attitude that, gee his dog would NEVER to that and well gosh, gee he just broke away from him again, after his wife pulled the dog off Beanie.

I did report it to the police, but I am not even sure what number the house was because I am not very familiar with that area as I don't live there. They were like, well you aren't giving us a lot of information to go on. WHATEVER.

[theporkieyorkie]

Could you have your friend, who's neighborhood it happened in, drive by and get the address of the house?

Playing it over and over in your head isn't going to change the outcome, and I don't see how you could have done anything differently ....but you can make sure it doesn't happen again to you or anyone else....but don't beat yourself up about it though. We've got tiny guys and unfortunately, it makes them so much more fragile than other dogs. I don't even think other people think about that when they let their huge dogs run around unleashed.....idiots.

I would try to call the Animal Control if calling the police doesn't work. As far as I know, they are usually the ones that deal with situations like yours along with the police and I believe, the animal control officers are also capable of handing out tickets to people who are mismanaging their dogs. They may even give the husky owner a ticket for his dog being off leash and they will probably take note of the situation and if any future cases arise with Animal Control after that...they'll probably take the dog.

[Rhetts_mama]

I'm sorry that your pup was attacked. That's always scary. Thankfully he wasn't badly hurt, but a trip to the vet is a must to rule out internal injuries.

You absolutely need to follow up on this, even if it means driving back to the neighborhood to get the right address. This dog has attacked once. It will happen again. The next unsuspecting owner might not be as lucky as you.

[Jess87]

I saw a post the other day about someone that carries an umbrella with them that has a push button instant open. If a dog charges, they open the umbrella quickly and it's enough to make the dog stop and think twice about approaching.

[Doodlebug]

I'm glad Beanie. Is ok. I got tired of loose dogs suddenly appearing from behind bushes and cars etc so now I only walk my pups in a park. There are trees there but no bushes so I can see all around me.

I used to carry bear spray until the can developed a leak and I got some spray on my finger and didn't realize it until I touched my eye. Talk about burn!!! Someone warned me about the sprays that if the wind is blowing you want to make sure the spray doesn't blow back on you and your pups.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

Wow, so glad Beanie is okay and you. So scary. I would report to animal control as the husband didn't seem to concerned that his dog attacked another dog. This tells me that until something more devastating happens, he will not take responsibility for his dog. It's owners like that that really irk me. These are the people who need to learn what responsible pet ownership is.

Good luck to you whatever you decide. Hug Beanie tightly.

[mimimomo]

So relieved to hear that Beanie & you are ok.
I've had close calls w/different big dogs on the loose, run up to us & the dogs' noses were right on top of Princess & Turbo even b4 I was able to pick them up. It was terrifying bc I didn't know the big dogs & didn't know how my guys would react. They just sat there frozen & I screamed to get the big dog's nose off of them.

[intilis]

So glad you are both ok. How scary! A big dog charged my Phoebe once during a walk & I yanked her up by her leash before I even knew I was doing it. Thank God I always use a harness!

[Maximo]

I am glad and relieved that Beanie and you are okay! Huskies have high prey drive. I am beyond tired of people who think "my dog would never do that."

Like you, I am always on the lookout for loose dogs and other threats. With some dogs, it makes no difference if you see them coming an pick up your small dog. The large dog can still jump on you and try to attack your dog in your arms.

We stopped walking in our neighborhood after seeing a 200 pound Cane Corso loose.

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

I'm glad Beanie. Is ok. I got tired of loose dogs suddenly appearing from behind bushes and cars etc so now I only walk my pups in a park. There are trees there but no bushes so I can see all around me.

I used to carry bear spray until the can developed a leak and I got some spray on my finger and didn't realize it until I touched my eye. Talk about burn!!! Someone warned me about the sprays that if the wind is blowing you want to make sure the spray doesn't blow back on you and your pups.

We go to an office park that has restaurants and hotels. At the regular park, everyone ignores the big signs that say "Dogs must be leashed."

Defensive sprays scare me. I know that I would end up getting it in my eyes or my dogs' eyes.