A bull terrier tried to attack my Badger!!!

[Annie&Badger]

My worst fear came true yesterday. I went down to Devon with my husband and Badger to see my in-laws on Thursday. Yesterday we went to a local food market and I walked Badger part of the way and then picked him up (he's still only about two and a half pounds at fifteen weeks) because he's a bit fragile. I saw some people sitting on a low wall who had an English Bull Terrier with them. He was leashed so I kind of made a mental note to myself to not go anywhere near them. I don't care what anyone says, I think any of the bull terriers are way too unpredictable and no-one who owns them ever has full control over them. How right my thinking is!!!

Anyway, we carried on walking round but I could feel Badger was quite hot and I'd been carrying him for a bit so I thought I'd put him on the ground and said to Richard to keep an eye out for the bull terrier. Richard said it was cool, he was with his owners and was leashed. So I put Badger down, he stretches out a bit and I stood up. The next thing, OUT OF NOWHERE, the bull terrier is there!!! Racing towards my dog with it's head low and it's ears flat back!!! It happened so quickly!!! I don't even remember what went through my head at that moment. Just thinking about it now is making me feel nauseous. Richard says I body blocked the dog and then just whipped Badger into the air in one movement. Thank God!!! The bull terrier then tried to jump on me!!! I have never been so terrified in all my life. Ever since I've had Badger and I've read all these stories about bull terriers savaging them, it's been a constant worry for me AND NOW IT HAPPENS!!!

The next thing the owner is there pulling his dog back. He was a massive bull terrier on a harness on a retractable lead (the harness couldn't have been more than an inch wide and it certainly wasn't strong). Are people mad?! He was this huge guy and he could barely pull this dog back. I went ballistic. I swore at him to keep his f**ing dog on it's lead. He turned round to me and said "easy. nothing happened. no need to get yourself all in a twist". The nerve of him! I told him to f** off. I'm sorry because I know a lot of people on this forum are a lot more genteel and polite but I'm not when I'm very frightened so please excuse me and realise it was probably a heat of the moment thing but also I felt he could have at least apologised. Anyway, his wife starts shouting at me "you should keep your stupid dog out the way then shouldn't you? it's your fault" . I couldn't believe that! So in other words... she's allowed to have her dog do whatever it likes but the rest of the world (because bull terriers attack all sorts of dogs), have to keep their dogs on a lead. I can't believe the mentality of people who own bull terriers. I've never met a normal person who wanted to own a nice dog for no other reason than to have a good companion that owned a bull terrier. Anyway, Richard dragged me away because I was so incensed (it took me an hour to stop shaking) but I turned back to her and said "you should keep your savage, killer dog on a proper lead and take it for behavioural counciling. And while you're about it, you should go too for having such a pathetic dog". I could have punched her

Anyway, the upshot of all this now is that Badger is safe (thank God) but I'm terrified of putting him on the ground. I saw yet another Staff being wrestled by its owner this morning and then another bull terrier cross this afternoon outside the local store. I just keep playing in my mind that dog coming shooting out of nowhere and how easy it is for them! We're back in London now but today we were walking on the seafront down in Devon and on the beach but my heart just kept racing every time I saw another dog. I can't live like this for fifteen years. Badger is getting more and more confident which I'm thrilled about and I've put so much work into him trying to build his confidence. On Friday he met a lovely rottweiler pup on the beach and chased it (I told him "no Badger!" but secretly I was thrilled) so I really felt we were getting somewhere and now this happens! I don't know what to do. It's not his confidence now, its mine. Today he wanted to meet this cute little border terrier down on the seafront but I wouldn't go near it

Can anyone offer any advice about what to do to stop bull terrier attacks? Am I being ridiculous? Is this a real danger? What do I do if one attacks him? Every time we walk round a corner now I'm terrified in case I see that white streak again...

[simonandhallie]

I agree with everything you said and I would have said the same thing. It's hard being frightened to walk your baby I'm sorry this happened to you and I am so thankful Badger is ok.

[sashajade]

first of all i would of smacked her one as well cheeky cow! its not the breed of dog thats the problem its the type of person that has them imo the men that have that type of dog have it to look hard and to make up for what they havent got in the trouser department just the same as having a big car! they should have the dog on a proper lead it and should be trained. i cant blame you for being so scared but as for what you can do to stop it there isnt anything,just keep an eye around you and if any dog is near pick your dog up just incase better to be safe then sorry

[sashajade]

also dont just worry about dogs like that ive found that its the small dogs that dont get on with other dogs the most and will try and attack and they can hurt your dog just as badly.i went to the coast today and out of all the many breeds of dog there it was a little yorkie that was trying to bite every dog it saw

[JeanieK]

I'm so glad that Badger is allright. Our city has finally made a special Pit Bull Ordinance. They can be fined severly if they don't have thier dog under control, and they have to have special insurance on them. They allowed people who already have one to keep them, but they won't allow anymore in the city. they are so unpredictfable.

And I agree, it is a certian mentality that believe that a mean dog makes up for what they lack elsewhere.

BTW, I love the expressions that you English people use. I have a daughter- in-law from Wales, and it reminds me of her.

[Connie]

You were so lucky to get Badger picked up before the dog got to him. Too bad bull terriers aren't prohibited there. They are in my city and I'm thankful for that, but have found that I can trust no big dog as a few times, big dogs have tried to attack Maddie. It IS so scary and I can understand your shaking for hours! Those owners were rude and inconsiderate! I am sure if you hadn't gotten Badger picked up and protected, he'd be gone, or injured. It is sad that you can't walk without fear of these dogs and I guess all I can say is keep a watchful eye, but experience showed me that they can sneak up and you don't hear them coming. Maybe carry a bat or something to clobber an attacking dog with. I've heard suggestions of carrying mace, but then you run the risk of also getting it on your baby. One thing I've heard is to kick them with your knee or foot...in the area of their chest...and that will stun them. I'm not sure on the correct place, but I think that is it. Good luck and I'm so thankful you and Badger are unharmed!!!

[Rhapsody]

How frightening!!!! I'm so glad Badger is okay! I don't know if I would have been able to keep from smacking that woman. Excellant self control.

[puppylove123]

i agree, i would have, or my mom would have, smacked that lady! i dont think you aren't being overprotected. just think if you saw a man running at you with a gun, if SURE you would pick up your baby or kid. if you want to build his confidence, try arranging a playdate with a local dog in your neighborhood or with a friend or something. is there a dog park near you, if so see if there is a section for smaller breeds. glad your furbaby is alright!

[devotedtoyou]

Sorry, I don't understand.....was it a Bull Terrier or a Pit Bull?? There's a HUGE difference!!

[yorkiepip]

I would be as mad and as rude as you were
I too pick Pippa up if i see a bull terrier of any kind staff or pitt!
I saw my friends border terrier picked up and thrown like a rag doll by a staff and the owner thought is was funny!!!!!!!!!!!
My sister in law has one too but cant walk it as it will attack any animal it sees

[red98vett]

WOW !!! HOW SCARY and I'm so glad you had such fast reactions......that happens way too much with little breeds....

I know some Pitts...or Bulls ...or whatever ....are gentle but many of the people who get these dogs WANT the agressivness...and when I see one - I don't CARE if it's gentle - my girls will never be near one.

I make it a habit to always HOLD then when around bigger dogs...I don't take chances with ANY ....pitts...bulls...nothing. It's sad but the way I am - It only takes a second and a yorkie can lose it's life to a bigger dog.

[lil_twinkle_mum]

I had the same thing happen to me yesterday in a dogs r us store in manchester. I had Twinkle on her lead, as i always do, and a lady and her husband was coming down the same isle with their staffy bull terrier. she snapped at me "pick your dog up or he will have her" well i was gobsmacked, and my husband quickly said, "if you have a dangerous dog then you shouldnt have it out in public" she went nuts then, so i picked Twinkle up and told a staff member who then went and told the man to have the dog outside. The assistant manager came and apologised and said he always had trouble with that breed and its owners.. .. I must admit i have been scared to walk Twinkle in the streets as a lot of these dogs are in my area with children handlers which i really dont agree with.

I dont trust them at all, Im Irish, and in ireland, it is illegal to keep pit bulls etc.

[Jaspermom]

My Angel was killed by a cocker spaniel. You cannot tell what kind of dog is going to maul yours just by the breed.

But I agree with you, you cannot live in fear for Badger for the rest of your life. You just have to get past this incident and things will be better. Let your fear decline to healthy caution. Just keep Badger in a pack or carrier until you are sure that where you are is a good place for him to be on the ground.

I am sorry this happened to you, and I applaud your "conversation" with the bull terrier's owners. They need to get control of their beast, and to know that kind of behavior is not right. Sure hope they listened!

[kristalk2006]

Originally Posted by devotedtoyou

Sorry, I don't understand.....was it a Bull Terrier or a Pit Bull?? There's a HUGE difference!!

I believe they are refering to a "Pit bull terrier".

[kristalk2006]

Originally Posted by sashajade

first of all i would of smacked her one as well cheeky cow! its not the breed of dog thats the problem its the type of person that has them imo the men that have that type of dog have it to look hard and to make up for what they havent got in the trouser department just the same as having a big car! they should have the dog on a proper lead it and should be trained. i cant blame you for being so scared but as for what you can do to stop it there isnt anything,just keep an eye around you and if any dog is near pick your dog up just incase better to be safe then sorry

You are so right, it is totaly the person, not the breed. There are WAY more stupid people then dogs out there

And I am glad Bager is OK! Good job mommy!