Nic.B

Oh Aussie, be careful! I am wondering what I could have had with me to be better prepared. I have heard of sprays etc though for the life of me can't remember what they were. Not that I will be walking anytime soon. I would have used a fire hydrant on them then belted them with it empty if I could have! Bloody hell. So glad everyone is okay. I think you may be thinking of citronella spray Nic. I've got a can that I bought from Justice's behaviourist but it will only stop a dog with low to mid-level aggression. If the other dog is intent on hurting yours it's unlikely to make any difference. Thanks Snook. When I spoke with Rangers I asked them what I could take with me in the future. Sadly citronella does not do very much/nothing at all in a similar situation. Rangers do carry it with them, though if you are dealing with an aggressive dog, it is not much help. I won't be walking any time soon, thats for sure.

Oh come off it SD sadly dog attacks are a very sad reality for some RESPONSIBLE dog owners.

I agree and you really need to be aware of the sort of dogs you own and what they are capable of. Far too many people are ignorant (or don't care) about their dogs' capabilities and place others in danger because of it. Yes and how dogs interact with their own pack is very different to how they may respond to unknown dogs. Dealing with three dogs upon one is a nightmare I have recently experienced. It was an unprovoked attack and is simply not on.

There is a guy with two Shepherds who walks further away from here with a big stick or rod. I dont know if that would have help me though? I could have used it a a bite stick I guess? One dog would have been one thing, three, wow I have no words. Just wanted to add, the three dogs were not bull breeds. Won't put up the breed combo (well my opinion of breed combo)

Oh Aussie, be careful! I am wondering what I could have had with me to be better prepared. I have heard of sprays etc though for the life of me can't remember what they were. Not that I will be walking anytime soon. I would have used a fire hydrant on them then belted them with it empty if I could have!

Sorry to go OT These sort of attacks just should not happen. There is no excuse. It was a bad bite (wont go into details lol) I am grateful though that it was my hand on the top of Ferns head. The dog didnt go for me IMO it was after Fern. The scary part was just as I got one to back off another would come in. The dog that kept coming in from behind was the most "unpredicatable' that one really concerned me as the other two would fire up again. It reminded me of one of those movies with five guys on one. Get rid of one and another comes in. I am pretty strong and I pinned one down with my left foot by the neck, I have never booted anything in my life though I booted the large breed over and over again as hard as I could. Once the large dog backed off the third one backed off and I lifted my foot off the second one one. Luckily I had my boots on incase of snakes, turns out snakes were the least of my worries! I dont know the dogs and have never seen them before Dogmad. I have lived here 13 years and know most of the dogs around here. Occasionally you will have unknown dogs, though not very often. The stupid thing is I am on acres and do most lead work up and down our long driveway. It was such a nice day I thought Fern and I would enjoy a walk. Never again I reported it to the police and rangers the next day. I have let as many people on my street know as lots of people walk their dogs around here and there are quite a few little dogs walked with retired owners and families with children. They wouldnt stand a chance. First time I have ever been bitten by a dog. After temp testing god knows how many at HP in a stressful environment etc, etc I had to laugh. The nusres said to me did you cry Nic? I said no I swore and thought, now you have really p'd me off. All I was worried about was Fern, I hope she is ok with similar breeds and sizes of dogs. For now she has her own little pack who she adores. I will work on the next step shortly, might need some pro advice just to be sure. Fern did very well under the circumstances. She is a huge sook and stayed behind me. I hope and pray this experience does not have a marked effect upon her interaction with unknown dogs.

Now I am p'd off :laugh: Three weeks ago I was walking my Bull Arab female. Fern is a gentle giant and is brilliant with other dogs. Three unknown crossbreeds (one large breed, two meduim breeds) approached us. I could see on their approach I had an issue. I put Fern into a drop and stood between them and her. When I gently put my left hand down on Ferns head and said, stay. BANG! I have never experienced anything like it. I had one pinned down by the throat and was booting the other as hard as I could with my boot (I am pretty strong) The third dog kept coming in from behind. This was an unprovoked attack. If it had been a small breed they would not have stood a chance. Kids walking that dog could well have been bitten and sustained serious injury. I had 15 stitches in two fingers, luckily Fern was unharmed aside from a few puncture wounds around her back end. I am glad it was my hand and not Ferns head! There is NO excuse for these sorts of attacks. Lose dogs walk the streets daily, it should not equate to a serious attack upon other dogs or people.

???? Are you serious! What an idiotic thing to say. There is NO excuse for this sort of attack. I feel so deeply for the poor dog and owners. The attacking dog should be euthed, the owner charged and fined.

There are many over represented breeds in pounds and shelters (and a lot of crosses) Hawkesbury ALWAYS have a Jack (or five! just ask Jill from JRT Rescue) Malts are always in, Staffy's and their crosses, Kelpies, Border Collies and Cattles and crosses. These would probably be the most common. I have to say Staffy's, Jacks and Malts would be the most over represented (ie they are in in large numbers on a daily basis) Grey's are often in as well, at times in large numbers which makes it difficult. The difference between socio economic areas is astounding. Hawkesbury holds dogs from three council areas, each are very different socio economic areas. I adore my Kelpie Bella, she is truly the light of my life!

Exactly Rev Jo! Bring on any investigation I say, I for one would like to have authorities go through everything I have. She is digging her own grave, was only a matter of time :laugh: I for one am shaking (not) in my boots re this recent development

Not via the media Plan B

The media are NOT interested in a balanced story, a crap story will impact upon all rescues.

Would appear if they have written criteria then that PR fit that criteria as they are still there. In terms of RTRO dogs or DOC dogs taken by PR's they "fit" the written criteria though PR's have not followed set council requirements, nor have they informed council re a number of dogs they have taken under these conditions. The end result (any rescue) for RTRO dogs or DOC dogs is that they are able to be rehabilitated/or are deemed able to be rehomed by the rescue (after assesment) or pts. You then inform council. ETA

Yes, I agree.

HP also have RTRO dogs. The dogs are released to 'rescue' under conditions, perhaps medical or behavioural assesments are needed prior to rehome.

Dont stay out there too long Nic the fun is only just starting. If I really thought that new laws would stop dogs suffering or make it better for dogs I would be going with that solution but Im not at all anywhere near sure that this is the best outcome for the dogs. Giddy up :) I agree with you and Shmoo, new laws are not the answer. If they just inforce chipping laws I will be thrilled. Why bring in new laws if chipping in NSW is not even inforced?

Thank you Dad and I spoke a lot before he died and I promised I would battle on and stay strong esspecially for animals which Dad has always been incredibly passionate about. The bandits at home are all good though OMG they exhaust me :)

Regulation for rescue Steve and ASAP. The public, pounds/staff, councils, rescues, vets, transport companies etc need to be able to distinguish between the cowboys and reputable groups. IMO there is no other way, I have thought about it no end. I am going out with the chooks :)

Sorry, I have just come back in and this is insane! This is just my vent; Rescue can do whatever they want! Send out entire females, females in whelp, rehome dangerous dogs, dog aggresive dogs and HA dogs and dogs with serious medical issues. Better still send them all to well meaning people who stumble ONCE upon a facebook site and then use every single bit of emotive manipulative language they possibly can to get people in hook line and sinker. Then dump the dog and dump the families who trusted you! And when kids are attacked and are flown to hospital, dogs are killed/attacked and cats are dead just lay blame upon others. Don't worry about your 16d nor the DLG, DPI, RSPCA, Council or AWL nor the Police. Just do whatever you bloody want. Assholes. Sorry, vent over. I am going back outside.

Sorry I am running in and out with horses and dogs outside atm. Will be back later.

This is spot on and what I have been advised re clause holders and councils working together. Council are not under any obligation to work with unreputable groups. Pr's and MN threaten legal action/media though which councils avoid at all cost. yes but how do they define what groups are unreputable unless they have a set of criteria without being sued and being accused of corruption or similar? if they had such a thing they wouldnt care about threats of legal action because they would use the same tests or eligibility for all groups and be able to articulate how one group fails that. I am not sure how they define one from the other and rehome rates come into play as well. I have been told there is a set criteria and I have some experience with that. IMO council have a DOC to the dogs prior to their release not to mention the public/community. If councils knowingly continue to release dogs to a group who have been proven unreputable (and they have) then it is on councils head at the end of the day. I will state so on record or in court. I have expressed that to council via meetings.

This is spot on and what I have been advised re clause holders and councils working together. Council are not under any obligation to work with unreputable groups. Pr's and MN threaten legal action/media though which councils avoid at all cost.

It will all have to be applied for under FOI Steve, believe me. Not sure about BCC though Hawkesbury Council will not give you anything IMO.

Agree, though it is the difference between responsible ethical rescue and the cowboys. Ummm... responsible rescue can still have/run kennels Nic... T. Seriously T, I don't have the time. You know I care about what you do with the puppies though this is not about you.