Brighton Dog Beach Sunday

[malsrock]

In NSW, if your dog attacks another dog then you pay the bills.

In January there was a horrific incident at a dog park. A lady with two shihtzu types had one of them severely mauled by an off leash staffy being walked by the father of the owner.

The poor little soul underwent several surgeries, one at my own vet and a couple at the vet specialist centre. Bills totalled $7,000. The man paid but the dog still died.

I sincerely hope the staffy was euthanased. There would have been a council warning on it. The attack was completely unprovoked and savage in nature.

To my amazement on one blog I read, someone blamed the shihtzu's owner for the incident as "she placed her dog in a dangerous situation". WTF??? The staffy's owner/walker was 100% responsible. You don't take that sort of dog to an off leash park unless you are a complete moron do you?

If any of my dogs had behaved in the way described, they would no longer be with me. If any of my dogs looked like they'd ever attack another animal, they'd never be given a second chance, they'd never go off lead again.

Far too many morons out there who do not think of others and know what their dogs are like but don't give a stuff.

Hit them in the hip pocket and protect society from them and their animals, not nearly enough is done in this regard because we hear about these attacks all the time.

The thing is I think people do know their dogs, they just don't seem to care. My dog has a scar above his eye and 2 on his lip now from the Am Staff that attacked him the other week. When it happened the guy wasn't surprised at all, and was just like, oh he's fine so long as he has his ball in his mouth. Incidentally, he actually dropped the ball on my dogs' head so he could attack him. Fortunately he has now been banned from having his dog off-lead I think, at least from the park anyway, and I have not seen him since. All I can think though is thank god my dog is so big, the Am Staff had attacked 5 other dogs and all of them had much more severe injuries I think because they were so much smaller. Only one tried to fight back, a red cattle dog, and he was the worst injured of all because it was much harder to separate them.

But yeah, complete moron is the only explanation that I think fits. I don't understand what the good outcome is when you know that you have a dog who wants to kill other dogs and you still decide to take it to an off-lead park. Either they kill another dog probably getting injured in the process, or they get killed or seriously injured by another dog trying to defend themselves - doesn't make any sense to me.

Hardest part about an attack though I think is how long it takes the human to get over it. In my case, I now avoid letting my dog interact with unknown staffies or am stafs, just because I feel like should another turn on him, he just doesn't seem to stand a chance even though he's a big powerful dog. It's sad, since there are so many staffies around, but I've just seen one too many attacks now and I can't seem to get over it :s He still has two friends though, one staffy and one am staff that he plays well with, and the owners have made an effort with the training and socialisation.

You do know your dogs too I agree. My GSD won't attack other dogs, but he can react to other dogs rushing at him. My Malinios will chase other dogs and get snappy in the catch and more than likely fight, so I don't take them to dog parks and unleash them, wouldn't even consider it. I don't even like unleashed dogs interacting with mine leashed, so I avoid those situations altogther for everyone's benefit.

We shouldn't be breed specific, but I am scared of Staffy type dog's off leash if they start rushing at mine even though having a GSD and Malinios who can handle themselves, so can the Staffy types if things go pear shaped. I size up other off leash dogs encountered and feel safer with dog's rushing us that I know my dogs can handle if it gets nasty. I would rather encounter an angry JRT than a Rotty or Staffy if that makes sense???

Fiona

[malsrock]

megan is right, in Vic effective control means your dog comes back as soon as you call it. It also means you are PAYING ATTENTION to your dogs behaviour. There is also a distance limit to what is effective control

either way this idiot needs to be held responsible.

She did not have effective control over her dog; several people (including myself) asked her to call her dog away. She would just wave and say "he's all noise" and continue her phone converation. When we tried to move away, the dog followed us. My dog was walking at my heel when he was attacked.

She obviously had no intention of even trying to do the right thing..........I do hope you can nail her Elfin and hope your poor boy recovers well

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

'Nekhbet' date='2nd Sep 2010 - 08:38 AM' post='4782662']

megan is right, in Vic effective control means your dog comes back as soon as you call it. It also means you are PAYING ATTENTION to your dogs behaviour. There is also a distance limit to what is effective control

SA law is a bit different where effective control is restrained on a leash of no longer than 1.8 or 2 metres???. In an off leash park, none are under effective control from that definition when unleashed, so I don't know how that one sits legally here in SA???.

Fiona

fiona i am in sa and effective control means that the dog must respons to your commands when off leash.

[malsrock]

Quick update as I am at work and not s'posed to be on here...

I tried aclling the owner of the dog again, and she answered her phone (finally). In a VERY brief conversation, (I think I must have woken her up; she sounded very groggy), I reminded her that her dog attacked mine and that I was calling with details of the vet so that she can pay the bill. She agreed to pay next Thursday and then hung up.

So good news, in a way.

I then rang the council to let them know she was willing to pay, and they managed to confuse me. What i DID understand was that they would have to interview the owner formally before they could do anything else. He also said it depended on the "seriousness of the attack" as to what would be done and how quickly it would be done. He asked if the wound inflicted was "severe" or not. (Despite having had the vets report for 2 days). Aren't ALL attacks "serious", regardless of the amount of damaged inflicted?

FFS, my dog is a 48kg Deerhound and he needed about 40 sutures. What on earth would that sort of a wound done to a small dog?!?!

I am just as angry at the council as I am at the dog's owner.

Thank you for all your PMs of support.

I can imagine your anger with the council. They put all these dangerous dog laws in place, then when an incident happens, they just mess around with it What's the point of laws if they are not prepared to use them properly..........I don't get it

[Kirislin]

I hope you said "Yes, it is serious" when the council employee asked. I think it was. If it needed veterinary attention it's serious.

[malsrock]

'Nekhbet' date='2nd Sep 2010 - 08:38 AM' post='4782662']

megan is right, in Vic effective control means your dog comes back as soon as you call it. It also means you are PAYING ATTENTION to your dogs behaviour. There is also a distance limit to what is effective control

SA law is a bit different where effective control is restrained on a leash of no longer than 1.8 or 2 metres???. In an off leash park, none are under effective control from that definition when unleashed, so I don't know how that one sits legally here in SA???.

Fiona

fiona i am in sa and effective control means that the dog must respons to your commands when off leash.

Yes, you would think so, but the Dog and cat Management Act only referred to effective control as leashed and restrained by a person 16 years or over I think it was and the 1.8 or 2 metre long leash. I haven't looked at the Act for a while, but there was no mention of off leash control that I recall???. I have read some other acts that mentioned voice control perhaps Vic or another state, but I can't recall anything like that in our SA one???

Fiona

[Beltar]

Hi Elfin. I'm so sorry to read about Bernard. I hope he makes a full recovery. I can't imagine how distressing it must be for you both.

This is a good warning for me. I have two little iggies and we have been to Brighton dog beach several times and had a lovely time, talking to lots of people and their, luckily, friendly dogs. I tend to be very naive about this and think people would be watching and responding if there was any chance of a problem.

I also love walking my dogs around our local park and mixing with the dog people who gather there. Thankfully I have never had a problem. I honestly don't know what I would do if something like that happened. I don't want to get overfearful, but it is certainly worth being more aware of what can happen. It's hard to believe that people can be so irresponsible.

All the best and hope you have a successful outcome.

[Alyosha]

Elfin maybe you should advise the council that you may need to enlist the help of the media to help you warn the community about a dangerous dogs in the area.

And of course you would also be obliged to advise the media that the local council has so far taken no action about it.

Photos of injuries should go with any emails to council or media.

ETA - don't forget that it is squeaky wheels that get grease. Keep making noise about it, don't let up.

Edited September 2, 2010 by Alyosha

[Staranais]

Yes, I experienced an off leash dog about 8 years ago when a nasty little Terrier ran out of a driveway and bit my old GSD on the leg who was on leash. My dog bit the Terrier with one chomp and crushed his ribs and the Terrier had to be PTS...........it was a totally devistating experience that happened so quick. By the time I had hoisted my dog away, it was too late. I was frantic about believing my dog would be PTS over it especially a GSD injuring a small dog and the ranger visited from the council and said to me that the poor little Terrier's owners had broken the law and sadly their dog paid the ultimate price and nothing would be recorded against me or my dog.

I'm glad your dog wasn't blamed for that. Not your fault at all, entirely the fault of the other owners, but as a dog lover you'd still feel stink about it! I've had offleash dogs rush my onleash dogs before, it's a scary feeling since it's hard to manage that situation.

[Henrietta]

Yes, I experienced an off leash dog about 8 years ago when a nasty little Terrier ran out of a driveway and bit my old GSD on the leg who was on leash. My dog bit the Terrier with one chomp and crushed his ribs and the Terrier had to be PTS...........it was a totally devistating experience that happened so quick. By the time I had hoisted my dog away, it was too late. I was frantic about believing my dog would be PTS over it especially a GSD injuring a small dog and the ranger visited from the council and said to me that the poor little Terrier's owners had broken the law and sadly their dog paid the ultimate price and nothing would be recorded against me or my dog.

I'm glad your dog wasn't blamed for that. Not your fault at all, entirely the fault of the other owners, but as a dog lover you'd still feel stink about it! I've had offleash dogs rush my onleash dogs before, it's a scary feeling since it's hard to manage that situation.

It is stories like these that need to be drummed into owners' heads. The ones that let their small dogs rush/attack other dogs. (Coming from someone with a small, aggressive dog). The dogs pay the ultimate price. How terrifying for you Malsrock, not your fault at all!

Elfin, the whole situation just sucks.

[Henrietta]

Yes, I experienced an off leash dog about 8 years ago when a nasty little Terrier ran out of a driveway and bit my old GSD on the leg who was on leash. My dog bit the Terrier with one chomp and crushed his ribs and the Terrier had to be PTS...........it was a totally devistating experience that happened so quick. By the time I had hoisted my dog away, it was too late. I was frantic about believing my dog would be PTS over it especially a GSD injuring a small dog and the ranger visited from the council and said to me that the poor little Terrier's owners had broken the law and sadly their dog paid the ultimate price and nothing would be recorded against me or my dog.

I'm glad your dog wasn't blamed for that. Not your fault at all, entirely the fault of the other owners, but as a dog lover you'd still feel stink about it! I've had offleash dogs rush my onleash dogs before, it's a scary feeling since it's hard to manage that situation.

It is stories like these that need to be drummed into owners' heads. The ones that let their small dogs rush/attack other dogs. (Coming from someone with a small, aggressive dog). The dogs pay the ultimate price. How terrifying for you Malsrock, not your fault at all!

Elfin, the whole situation just sucks.

[Elfin]

Bandage change today: wound is looking good and he is not as lame, so fingers crossed no permament tendon damage.

We are still making the trip to Adelaide Royal next week, but obviously he won't be in the ring for what was going to be his last show before he retired.

Tried to attach pics, but says they are too big.

ETA: We had been going to Brighton Dog Beach several times a week for five years without a problem before this occured.

Edited September 3, 2010 by Elfin

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

'Nekhbet' date='2nd Sep 2010 - 08:38 AM' post='4782662']

megan is right, in Vic effective control means your dog comes back as soon as you call it. It also means you are PAYING ATTENTION to your dogs behaviour. There is also a distance limit to what is effective control

SA law is a bit different where effective control is restrained on a leash of no longer than 1.8 or 2 metres???. In an off leash park, none are under effective control from that definition when unleashed, so I don't know how that one sits legally here in SA???.

Fiona

fiona i am in sa and effective control means that the dog must respons to your commands when off leash.

Yes, you would think so, but the Dog and cat Management Act only referred to effective control as leashed and restrained by a person 16 years or over I think it was and the 1.8 or 2 metre long leash. I haven't looked at the Act for a while, but there was no mention of off leash control that I recall???. I have read some other acts that mentioned voice control perhaps Vic or another state, but I can't recall anything like that in our SA one???

Fiona

here it is:

For the purposes of this Act, a dog will be taken to be wandering at large while—

(a) the dog is in a public place (other than a park) or a private place without the

consent of the occupier, and no person is exercising effective control of the

dog by means of physical restraint; or

(b) the dog is in a park and no person is exercising effective control of the dog

either—

(i) by means of physical restraint; or

(ii) by command, the dog being in close proximity to the person and the

person being able to see the dog at all times.

but then it does specifically talk about physical control:

8—Meaning of effective control of dog by means of physical restraint

For the purposes of this Act, a person is exercising effective control of a dog by

means of physical restraint if—

(a) the person is exercising effective control of the dog by means of a chain, cord

or leash that does not exceed 2 metres in length restraining the dog; or

(b) the person has effectively secured the dog—

(i) by placing it in a cage, vehicle or other object or structure; or

(ii) by tethering it to a fixed object by means of a chain, cord or leash

that does not exceed 2 metres in length.

and this:

the owner of the dog is unable to maintain effective control of the dog

(whether by command or by means of physical restraint).

so i think it doies mean effective control is also by the dog obeying your command

Edited September 3, 2010 by Jaxx'sBuddy

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

and this from my council

It is important to be in charge of

a dog and to understand dogs

being exercised freely must be

under effective control.

This means you are able to

control the dog by command

and always keep close to the

dog so you are able to see it at

all times.

[sllebasi]

so sorry to hear about this incident. i agree with the others and not let this issue slide, particularly with the council. i had an incident a few years ago where 2 american red pit bull terrier attack myself and my dog, managed to get away from situation and when i rang the council they were out here interviewing me the following day and took photos and a statement and i think the dogs were put down the same week. have a feeling though i was complaint number 4 or 5 though cause as soon as i said the address (not even the number) they knew exactly who it was.