A contrast of empathy (Human v Canine)

[docmartin]

Originally Posted by yipyap

I am so glad to hear little Crystal made it through okay! Now, she is taking care of you...dogs can sense when their owners are sick and upset. So, you are getting lots of "kisses" (licks) from her. My old miniature Schnauzer in the '70-'80's and my nowadays little Yorkie both stay right by me if I got ill, too.
If enough of the people you talked to, who had similar experiences, let the local town council and police know how unsafe it is getting at that beach, some action should be taken! The beach should be safe for public use...not for the drug dealers or dogs running off leashes on public walking areas. GET A Local "ORDINANCE" PASSED THAT IN CERTAIN AREAS, DOGS MUST BE ON A LEASH OR THEIR OWNER PAYS A FINE!
There is this type of ordinance in the law books in the nearby City of Staunton, Virginia (USA). IT was passed some years ago when too many dogs were running loose in other people's yards and especially in the City Park. Enough people signed a petition and went to the council meeting to demand somdthing be done about the loose dogs in the Park. Well, once the City Council passsd a law saying all dogs in the City and the Park MUST be walked on leashes OR else owners were given police tickets or letters from local court to appear to "pay a fine" at the City Hall, the number of loose dog attacks dropped dramatically!
A friend of mine reported a man who had 2 pit bulls come after her leashed dog and herself when she took her Sophie out for a walk. Luckly, the pit bulls owner came running up and yelled at his dogs and put them on their leashes. NOW, the City of Staunton has a strict Leash Law! My friend found out the man's name and learned his dogs had gone after others in the neighbourhood, too. So, she filed a compliant and had names of other people who had been chased by his dogs. So, he had to pay a fine and finally learned the City Law did apply to him, too!
It sounds like a matter for your British local magistrate or council to enforce safety and leash laws...or levy fines on the owners! Especially for the safety of the elderly seniors and very young children who walk at the beach!!

I completely agree. Trouble is the UK is so broke, there's no funding available for anything any more. Except paying the European Union 80 million dollars a day to tell us how much water our toilets can hold in the future!

Over here dog owners can be fined for fouling the footpath, (but rarely are) and they don't have to be on leashes! I'm thinking now of carrying a heavy stick or more to defend myself in future though!

[gemy]

Martin I am so sorry this happened to you and Crystal. I too urge some reporting to the local Dog Warden, and the thugs and ne-er do-wells should not get to own our seawalk paths, hiking trails, and our neighbourhood.

You and or Crystal could have been gravely injured! In certain parts of my city, we have the criminal element, and I try to steer quite clear of those areas. And this mind you with a very big dog often times on lead with me. I won't knowingly put him into dangerous situations where his health and well-being is at risk.

I have reported these bully breeds and other breeds out of control and off lead on our city streets. I hope you can do the same.

[navillusc]

OMGoodness! Totally dreadful situation all around. I agree with the wonderful Sally...this seems like a situation that needs a proper fixing. You and Crystal could have had far worse happen to you, and the 'demon seed' teen 'sans caring' will likely not have learned to control the dogs from it without a further education. I hope you heal quickly. Very scary!

[MauiGirl]

Originally Posted by docmartin

Thank you everyone for your kind wishes for us. Tonight we're on the Kitchen table, me at the laptop and my appendage curled up in between my chest and the keyboard sleeping soundly her little head on my arm. I'm feeling a bit better and the bruises are coming out well!

I'm increasingly becoming indifferent to the outside world these days anyway and the short drive to the local woods tomorrow as a threesome, will definitely help dispel the unpleasantness of yesterday. After all The Worlds broken, at least by the values of my age group and education. Sad as it is, it's increasingly 'de facto' in the UK.

Happier times are coming though. Crystal is going to attend a Children's Hospital Ward Xmas Party this year in London, as guest of honour, I've learnt today. Her little stories have won quite a following, as the kids listen to them on MP3 players with Dad narrating and Crystal barking and reverse snorting in the background! Lots of little cuddles coming her way I think and she loves toddlers too.

It is wonderful that you can feel that better days are coming, because surely they are. Crystal's Christmas Party sounds so fun, we will love to hear all about it and see photos. Has Mum already started shopping for a lovely Christmas outfit for Crystal's big appearance?

[theporkieyorkie]

Oh yes...she should definitely have a cute Christmas dress. The kids will get a kick out of that.

I am sorry to hear about your fall, but glad you and Crystal are ok. I think it's terrible that you can't even enjoy the beach anymore. I don't know if there are just more irresponsible owners, or I just notice it more because I have little ones I worry about protecting, but it seems like there has been an increase of people that are just downright idiots who don't need to have dogs...especially big powerful ones that they cannot or choose not to control.

[MauiGirl]

Yes, a Christmas dress, and how about some little reindeer antlers. That would be so cute. I have them for my pups, and can get them to wear them for only a few minutes, long enough to take a picture.

[Wylie's Mom]

Martin, I'm so glad you and Crystal are okay, first and foremost! What an event, and how lucky you both are that you weren't more badly hurt. Can't imagine how sore you are from falling down those hard stairs!

I hope you're able to report the incident. Even if they don't find her, at least it'll be on record in case it happens again. I can't believe how cold she was about it . Then again, I can...there are some human beings who just do not understand a thing about anything unless it benefits themselves.

Btw, I love your term "socially feral" - that's just brilliant!

[docmartin]

Thanks again for all the good wishes. The Dog warden came today and I gave him a statement, accompanied by the witnesses details and photo's of my bruises etc. The young woman has been warned TWICE before in the past six months for having her dogs off leash on a public walkway. The dogs are not vicious, just very boisterous and could easily have injured a small creature like little Crystal at just 7lbs. I was bought up with an Airedale and a full pedigree English Bull Terrier (Ralph), my dear old friend who used to tolerate a little boy tackling him at Football (soccer) and treating me like any old prize fighter would a new kid learning the ropes. Dad used to keep them both on a lead and they were OK with that and never attacked either people or dogs. Indeed 'Ralph' used to act as a bodyguard for our neighbours little Dachshund and was just an old softy with cats too. The warden thinks she has them for protection and coalesced with my feelings that their intrinsically good dogs, well looked after who just need more control. As far as their mistress is concerned ~ well she's just the product of a modern world bereft of social decency.

[kjc]

How horrible and sad! Hope you're feeling better.... Hugs...

[DBlain]

wow what a scare I am so glad you are both OK, so how did it end with the dog warden, did the gal get a fine. What could happen if this continues. It's sad that you have to be fearful to walk in an area you love so mcuh

[rubymoon2072]

glad it only ended in some bruises and you are both ok. hopefully that foolish girl will learn her lesson this time..maybe they will give her a bit of fine to hurt her pocketbook. i am always so fearful walking my babies....its the worst part of them being on the smaller side. hope you enjoy your stroll in the woods today.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by docmartin

Thanks again for all the good wishes. The Dog warden came today and I gave him a statement, accompanied by the witnesses details and photo's of my bruises etc. The young woman has been warned TWICE before in the past six months for having her dogs off leash on a public walkway. The dogs are not vicious, just very boisterous and could easily have injured a small creature like little Crystal at just 7lbs. I was bought up with an Airedale and a full pedigree English Bull Terrier (Ralph), my dear old friend who used to tolerate a little boy tackling him at Football (soccer) and treating me like any old prize fighter would a new kid learning the ropes. Dad used to keep them both on a lead and they were OK with that and never attacked either people or dogs. Indeed 'Ralph' used to act as a bodyguard for our neighbours little Dachshund and was just an old softy with cats too. The warden thinks she has them for protection and coalesced with my feelings that their intrinsically good dogs, well looked after who just need more control. As far as their mistress is concerned ~ well she's just the product of a modern world bereft of social decency.

So are they going to press charges against her?
Glad you and Crystal are ok.