A contrast of empathy (Human v Canine)
 

Yesterday we were out on our usual walk along the lower (sea level) parade. There are miles of terraced Victorian steps (20 rows high) leading up to the beach huts, with a walk way along the top. Off season we use it a lot, as there are few who take this level and you get a much better view of the sea and shipping. Suddenly from the rear, two Staffordshire bull terriers were upon us. I managed to swoop Crystal into my arms milliseconds ahead of a pair of snapping jaws. The other animal pulled my glove off and eventually wrestled me to the floor. I fell and rolled down many rows of steps.

Only having one arm, I could not protect Crystal and save myself at the same time, fortunately I successfully cushion her from the impact. Many people ran to help. After sitting me upright on the steps, a kind lady, packing up her beach hut for the winter gave me a hot coffee and a paracetamol, swathed in a blanket and in the shelter of her little cabin. Crystal remained firmly inside my coat throughout! The Bulls owner was a stupid young girl, face buried in it's iphone, completely unaware of the incident. A very angry gentleman showed her what her animals had caused, having got them away from me with the aid of his walking stick.

"OK, OK, all right then, don't go on" it said, in a cold hard voice, reluctantly placing her wards on their leads. She did however disappear very fast as two people at least had videoed the incident, one a professional photographer!

Returning home, bruised and a bit shaken I took a hot bath and went to bed. I was awoken by Crystal, firmly licking the grazes to my face and hand, it went on for ages. She refused to budge, even when her mom came home, normally a period of ecstatic activity. Today, I look like I've been beaten up and to say I'm stiff is an understatement. It's cold dark and wet outside, so we won't be going anywhere today. In future I'll also seek out other venues inland. A great shame as the sea shores on my doorstep and I'll have to drive a few miles to reach the woods etc.

I'm afraid most young people over here (especially and sadly young women) are increasingly, selfish, uncaring and socially feral. The profile of the above miscreant is typical of them and I'm glad now at 68, I'm nearer the exit than when I came in!

:eek: Martin? Nooooo, you didn't say?!!!!? :eek:

That is absolutely dreadful, I am SO sorry this happened to you both.

You've got the names/numbers of the people that took the photos? Through your local Council - do you have a Dog Warden? You've got to report this to someone.....it could have been a baby in a buggy.....thank God you and little Crystal are (relatively) ok :(

That 'girl' has GOT to know to keep her dogs under control, she's got to have a 'proper' fright of some kind. I think it's absolutely dreadful that you've got to change your habits, just because of one irresponsible, 'whatever-ish' kind of idiot.

Harry sends you a big licky kiss, too :) Sally x

WOW, I'm glad you're alright aside from the scrapes and bruises! Crystal was taking care of her daddy that protected her from the big dogs and she was telling you thank you. And yes, unfortunately it's not happening over there. We seem to have a very disrespectful society of young kids anymore. Really sad!!!

What a sad event. I hope you and crystal are feeling better this morning.
Sally is right you need to report this as the girl just didn't get it. Her dogs are a danger, need to be controlled and she needs a lesson in ownership and responsibility.
Hope you and crystal do not have to avoid this area that you both seem to enjoy so much.
Crystal, you are such a good little nurse, taking care of your protector.

Time to move on perhaps?
 

Thanks Sal, I didn't want to sound like one of those old people competing for who's got the worst disease syndromes! It seems more of a shake up now it's the day after somehow? I'm indescribably stiff and bruised too. The lady with the beach hut rung this morning and both of the witnesses with photos, are prepared to support my complaint to the Dog Warden. It emerges that the young hard faced woman with the Bulls may well be a drug pusher (hence the dogs). This fits in with the aggressive youths who utilise our favourite shelter as a meeting hut on the weekends. The Police believe she delivers the orders here as a drop-off. I've given up using it now, as their hostility to anyone approaching is inescapable. In fact I'll refrain at the weekends and school holidays completely from now on, as they festoon the sea shore for some reason!

My host from yesterday also says this was her 37th and last season here as a beach hut owner for the same reason. She has a Westie, but no longer risks him in the cabin as she had a similar experience to mine last year, again with a young woman in charge. This time with two Weimaraners, after she complained, her beach hut was vandalised!

One of my elderly helpers from the incident, also admitted to carrying a 5,000 volt cattle prod for protection. What a world, sounds like 'Death Wish 3' instead of the Victorian Pantiles of a sleepy east Coast Town!:rolleyes:

That is awful,but unfortunately not an isolated incident. It's high time we. All started to complain about this kind of incident and take back our lovely walks and be able to enjoy our countryside.

How sad, I lived in your Country for nearly 6 years in the 70's, when I worked for ARCO and was always totally impressed with the way your younger people were so polite to their elders. Just this week I was with a friend in Suffolk at a very up market hotel/pub. There was obviously a function for the local USAF base starting up as we arrived. A very polite Officer parted the throng, got us to the bar urging everyone to 'stand aside coming through'. After we'd bought our drinks two very smart young men stood gave up their seats by the fire.We'd inadvertently entered a Private Function by mistake, but were welcomed with warmth and politeness.

We do however largely live in a world of declining standards, where a Dog's love is a refreshing constant value.

Martin, I always think things feel a lot worse the day after, once the adrenalin's calmed down and the true picture of it all emerges.

I truly urge you to go and visit your GP tomorrow....if only to get down in some official capacity exactly what's happened to you. Any 'personal' photos should be documented too (please take them now, if you haven't already, before Crystal licks them completely better :D says a lawyers daughter....;)).

I HATE that we're all seemingly being put off doing our normal things, and our lives and movements are being controlled, by a tribe of thugs that should have been 'brought up' better.....sounds more like 'Eastenders' than the East Coast of Britain.....:(

By the way Martin, can you buy a cattle prod on Amazon.....?!!!!? :D Sally + Harry x

How awful!
I think I agree with miss Sally...the whole incident needs reported. I know you all across the pond have stricter rules when it comes to dogs & this owner needs a wake up call in more ways than one! :( Her callousness towards you after the fact is horrid.

On a sidenote, I must tell you how enjoyable every one of your threads & blogs are. Thank you!

This is just awful! I hope the local police can do something about this situation with the drug dealers. They spoil everything every where they go. Get better soon.

:D Ooooooh, Sherry I LOVE it when you call me Miss Sally, makes me feel like a character from 'Gone With The Wind' or something....please don't ever stop!!! :D Miss Sally + Prince Harry ;) xx

Im so sorry this happened to you, Martin. Please get well and give your little healer another kiss from me. It makes me very sad that you were hurt and that you have to change doing what you love because of this terrible incident. I'm so relieved that you were able to protect Crystal from harm.

Needs better police intervevtion!
 

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!!

Martin (and Crystal), I am so shocked and sorry for your frightening ordeal. I do hope that you will get over it physically and emotionally the best you can.

It is sad to think that you will always remember this incident and it will keep you from enjoying your rights to peaceful enjoyment and freedom in your neighborhood.

I do hope that reporting this will lead to stricter enforcement and surveillance by authorities that can curb such problems in the future. As far as changing a young girl's attitudes.... that is a whole different problem Good luck with that.

Gentle hugs to you and Crystal.

Thanks everyone
 

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.:)

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!

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.

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!

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?

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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. :)

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