I know how you feel
 

I'm pretty sure I have told this story before but during Katrina, our house was halfway destroyed. There were about 4 huge tress inside of our house and the back was caved in. We all went to my sisters house the day after Katrina. (we had to walk there)
There were so many family members staying there and no power, water, food. It was complete kaos. Someone let my sweet Libby (my yorkie at the time) out and my sisters HUGE rotweiller (sp) attacked her. I cant believe she survived. I know how frantic you must have been. I was screaming at the top of my lungs, just in a panic. It was unreal. I was hitting my sisters dog (not something I would otherwise do)..... She was just flopping Libby around in her mouth. It makes me sick to even think about it now.
But thankfully she survived with a broken jaw and a few puncture wounds, broken rib... and a few minor things. But even after she survived that, she was stolen from our house a few months later while workers were there fixing the roof. =(
I am so glad your baby is ok! I bet that was a horrible experience for you.

So sorry that happened. I'm scared of big dogs too, both for myself and Sadie. I'm small myself, so even if I picked her up, it wouldn't do any good.

It seems like there are so many bad things that can happen to these little guys! Rocco is doing better today, his cut looks better, and he is mostly just sleeping. But he seems more timid and I am definitely scared to walk him around the neighborhood.
My mom doesn't think I should sign the affadavit but how bad would I feel if this happened again? She said she would be scared the neighbors would retaliate and what is the point if nothing gets done anyway. I can see what she is saying.
God, I keep replaying the whole thing over and over and I am amazed Rocco is ok. And it definitely wasn't playing. That dog beelined for us and wanted to hurt him.

I would definitely sign the affidavit. I can see your Mom's point, but if this happens again, at least they would have proof that it had happened before. I mean, look at it this way...what if it had happened before and the person then had not signed the affidavit...then it would look like the first time.

What did the police say? I still can't believe that all they want you to do is sign a piece of paper saying it happened....the puncture wound is a verified attack!!!

The police told us to call animal control. But I am thinking about calling back again today. Maybe someone else will be more concerned. I totally agree about having to report it so the next time doesn't look like it is the first. I will probably wait a few days to make sure they pay our vet bill and then submit it. If this ever happens again, they could subpeana (sp?) me to court to go against the owners. I just wish the laws here in Florida were stricter.

Poor Mommy, poor little guy. Mya had one dog go for her I keep her on harness for quick Yank up and grab. I screamed NO at the dog and he stopped trying to get her. Mya shocked me by growling and going nuts like she was telling the big dog off but Mya had night mares all night long. Sleep with your baby close tonight. I am sure that guy broke the leash law even if those dogs did accidently get out. Hugs to you both

I don't know where you live, but I would get a can of pepper spray and take it with you when you walk. Practice spraying it in a safe outside place, so that you will know how it works if you ever need it again. I hope you don't ever need it again, but it's better to be prepared.

Iam so glad that Rocco is alright.We had a liitle incident the other week where a neighbours dog went for Lottie.I nearly had a fit ,pulled Lottie out of the way.
Since then I have read that you can carry an automatic umbrella and if a dog looks as if its going to go for your dog put the umbrella up,to shield your dog from the other one.It also might startle the other dog and gives you a chance to pick your dog up.
It will take a little while to build both you and Rocco's confidence up whilst out walking so maybe an idea to carry ,the umbrella for a while.

You have gotten so much good advice here I won't add to it.
Just wanted to say I am glad you and your fur baby were not
injured. I am sure he will be frightened for awhile. The nerve
of the owner to say they were playing when one had him in
his mouth. I bet he was as nervous as you were but just did not
show it and played it down.

Im so sorry for you I would be so upset to if that had ever happened to spencer. I would call the authorities and tell them about the incident. Im sure there is something they could do about that

This is good advice. I actually have some myself for the same reason. Like I said, we have a lot of big dogs in our area & I'm not able to protect myself against them, much less myself and Sadie. Even if I picked her up, we're both still at a level to be seriously hurt. So I do have some pepper spray that I carry, but admit that I don't carry it all the time. I'd never want to have to spray another animal, but if it came down to me & my dog vs. the other dog, there'd be no decision to make.

I had a neighbor that never has her dog on a leash. One day the dog came up to us quickly. It wasn't really being aggressive, but was wanting to sniff Sadie & stuff (but how did I know it WASN'T going to be aggressive). Sadie was scared & so was I. She kept moving, so I couldn't reel her leash in enough to pick her up. The neighbor wasn't even trying to get her dog away from us. I said, "Can you please get your dog so I can pick mine up?" She said, "God, you act like it's hurting you or something." That really p***** me off. Big time. Some people have no consideration for others. I mean, even though I'm a dog person, I don't like big dogs if I don't know them. Because of a medical condition, I am small and if a big dog even bumped into me hard enough, it would knock me down & that could cause big problems for me.

It's not all big dogs...just ones I don't know. My brother has a 90lb Lab and she's the SWEETEST thing you could ever meet. However, I don't let Sadie near her. When Sadie was small, Sissy kicked her accidentally & it hurt her. She would never intentionally hurt her, but she doesn't realize her size.

sorry that was so long.....it's just something I deal with all the time & guess I can get passionate about it.

That's scary that they just jumped the fence like that! Do you know if they ever jumped it before? I'm glad your puppy is OK. Are you friends with the owner of those dogs? If you are, maybe tell him to get a higher fence, if he wont take care of it, then go to the police about it.

I hate to see neighbors fighting over or about dogs -- because nothing good ever comes from it. In fact, things usually only get worse.

I would make a serious complaint - to get it on the record.

And - I think you and your husband should walk over and visit with your neighbor regarding his dogs. I would be as nice as I could be, considering the circumstances, and discuss his getting a higher fence. Doing the right thing is in his best interest also - because he is placing his dogs in a position where they may do some harm and may end up being taken away from him. Plus -- even if he gets defensive - no one wants their dog or dogs to injure other dogs or people.

I would tell him about your vet bill, and hopefully, he will offer to take care of it. And - I would tell him that I am sorry, but I had to report the incident. He needs to know that a report has been filed.

**** as far as suing or bringing charges - I wouldn't even go there. (There isn't much more right now other than your vet bill - the not-too-serious injury to your dog - and your being frightened to death.) Bringing charges or legal action against neighbors just isn't where anyone wants to be...... I would spend my time working to solve this problem and staying as friendly as possible.

He needs to understand that nothing like this can ever happen again - and needs to do whatever is necessary to prevent it.

Good luck!


Carol Jean

Good post!