Woman, 77, In Latest Dog Attack

[Guest lavendergirl]

I agree. The personal attacks on Matthew B are self-defeating, i.e. they are merely preaching to the converted. The proper response is to calmly and rationally make a point about the argument at hand. Many of these replies remind me of the mantra of the gun-lobby in the USA - guns don't kill people, people kill people. More appropriate, to me, would be well-organised, consistent lobby groups to clearly and loudly promote responsible dog ownership as an on-going project, which might include effective training, feeding, veterinary care, general welfare and socialisation. It's not enough to bemoan the ignorance of the general public or to berate Matthew B for his not-unreasonable worries and concern. His views are held by the majority - it's up to affected doglovers to pro-actively seek to change those views. Whingeing to each other on a forum such as this will not re-educate Joe Public.

No matter what, any person is entitled to be safe in their own, fenced backyard. Whether the elderly lady was seriously harmed in the physical sense is not relevant - the psychological damage could be just too much.

Good point Lally. I remember years ago an elderly neighbour's little dog was killed by a german shepherd who jumped the fence and attacked him in the front yard of the house. The elderly man was heartbroken and died a few months later. He never recovered from the loss of his little companion.

[MonElite]

Look media invented a new breed -

pit bull mastiff

[MonElite]

Before people write Matthew b off, his views represent the vast majority of people

Sadly it does.

Look at my profile picture, of a totally goofed out happy dobe.

I showed this photo to a girl at work she was petrified

[Panto]

Anyone know of a survey or study about the 'breed' of owner whose dog has attacked and caused injury?

[mita]

To be honest I suspect the lower media coverage is because she was bitten on the ankle and had some 'scratches' - she wasn't killed like the story last week so it is (quite legitimately) a smaller story.

I suspect if it were not for last week's fatality, this attack wouldn't have made the news at all.

After last week, any dog attack will be news for a while because readers are sensitive about the issue.

I agree with you, ZZ. While I'm not dismissing what a frightening experience it must've been for the 77 year old lady. Especially as she was not to know, as the dogs were 'going' her, just how 'serious' their level of aggression was. As it was, she was able to fend them off & get inside to safety. But even then, it could've had tragic consequences if she had a weak heart or some other medical condition which could be set off by the stress.

BTW, statistically this lady belongs to one of the major groups affected by dog bites/attacks. Small children, boys of primary age & older people.

As much as I disagree with Matthew B's posts on these matters, it's useful to know that's how many people think (as megan & ME said). So it's the line which needs to be countered via informing the public.

I wish there were a Dog Bite/Attack Task Force, made up of people who do have the knowledge & expertise....who'd examine & report on serious dog bites & attacks.

Following on ME's comment about her own goofy dobe.....I once held the collar of a lost female pitbull for nearly 20 minutes while we tried to find an owner.

When the blokes arrived home, they positively blanched.....'That's a pitbull!'

Yet, she was (& still is) one of the nicest, intelligent & well socialised dog I've come across. Even tho' she was in a highly stressful position, with strangers. Not surprisingly, when her owners were located, they were really nice people who'd owned her since she was a puppy & they'd raised her well. It was a genuine accident how she'd got lost.

Edited August 24, 2011 by mita

[poodlefan]

Anyone know of a survey or study about the 'breed' of owner whose dog has attacked and caused injury?

Yes. Read Karen Delise's book Fatal Dog Attacks. I'd love to see it as a compulsory read for anyone who wants to discuss how to control dangerous dogs in society.

[Panto]

To be honest I suspect the lower media coverage is because she was bitten on the ankle and had some 'scratches' - she wasn't killed like the story last week so it is (quite legitimately) a smaller story.

I suspect if it were not for last week's fatality, this attack wouldn't have made the news at all.

After last week, any dog attack will be news for a while because readers are sensitive about the issue.

hope O'Connor has more sense than Shorten to make sweeping statements such as he did. I hope the lady is ok, horrid situation.

unfortunately O'Conner is not known for his common sense, he is quite good at using scaremongering tactics to push through legislation.

Anyone know of a survey or study about the 'breed' of owner whose dog has attacked and caused injury?

Yes. Read Karen Delise's book Fatal Dog Attacks. I'd love to see it as a compulsory read for anyone who wants to discuss how to control dangerous dogs in society.

Thank you - I hope journos that report dog attacks would read up too.

[Panto]

Have also found a publically available copy of another of Karen Delise's publications here:

http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/uploaded_files/tinymce/Pit_Bull_Placebo_download.pdf

[LizT]

Poor woman That is just horrible.

You know what really pisses me off though? Why have we heard nothing about this attack in the news? And why did this article still end up being about how dangerous pit bulls supposedly are?!

I heard it on Channel Nines 6.30 pm news.

It was a non biased report about a poor 77 year old lady who was attacked in her yard by a pair of German Shepherds and was "driven back into her home and received bites to her ankles".

Whilst I am not trying to make light of this poor womans experience.

It is true that it would not have made the media two weeks ago. It probably would not have even been reported to the media but been delt with on a local level.

My ex's Grandmother received similar injuries when the familys Rodesian Ridgeback Puppy decided to be too playful and was snapping at her ankles. She had scratches everywhere before a family member was able to intervene as the old lady was unable to stop the dog.

Without knowing the full story behind this particular dog attack it can easily become fodder for the media.

The frail tissue thin skin of the elderly and the sharp teeth of a puppy are not a good conbination.

Again, it comes down to someone not tending to their animals properly.

[LizT]

Before people write Matthew b off, his views represent the vast majority of people

Sadly it does.

Look at my profile picture, of a totally goofed out happy dobe.

I showed this photo to a girl at work she was petrified

My husbands poor workmate is terrified of our lovely German Shepherd.

His pesonal experience and explanation....the Police use them in Croatia.

Sometimes we have to put ourselves in other peoples shoes as it becomes difficult to understand the logic of their fears if we look at things from out perspective only.

[megan_]

Poor woman That is just horrible.

You know what really pisses me off though? Why have we heard nothing about this attack in the news? And why did this article still end up being about how dangerous pit bulls supposedly are?!

I heard it on Channel Nines 6.30 pm news.

It was a non biased report about a poor 77 year old lady who was attacked in her yard by a pair of German Shepherds and was "driven back into her home and received bites to her ankles".

Whilst I am not trying to make light of this poor womans experience.

It is true that it would not have made the media two weeks ago. It probably would not have even been reported to the media but been delt with on a local level.

My ex's Grandmother received similar injuries when the familys Rodesian Ridgeback Puppy decided to be too playful and was snapping at her ankles. She had scratches everywhere before a family member was able to intervene as the old lady was unable to stop the dog.

Without knowing the full story behind this particular dog attack it can easily become fodder for the media.

The frail tissue thin skin of the elderly and the sharp teeth of a puppy are not a good conbination.

Again, it comes down to someone not tending to their animals properly.

um, a grandmother was attacked by two dogs on her own fenced property - that would always make the news in Melbourne.

Please don't compare that with someone having their ankles bitten by a puppy for goodness sake.

I am against BSL. But I'm also against dog lovers saying calling what has happened recently (a child killed by a dog in her own home!) media hysteria. What has happened in both these cases is disgusting - nothing hysterical about it.

[chevorne]

To be honest I suspect the lower media coverage is because she was bitten on the ankle and had some 'scratches' - she wasn't killed like the story last week so it is (quite legitimately) a smaller story.

I suspect if it were not for last week's fatality, this attack wouldn't have made the news at all.

After last week, any dog attack will be news for a while because readers are sensitive about the issue.

Was it really an áttack', the lady was 77 and able to fend of two GSD with 1 bite and scratches. It might just be more media hysteria.

[megan_]

To be honest I suspect the lower media coverage is because she was bitten on the ankle and had some 'scratches' - she wasn't killed like the story last week so it is (quite legitimately) a smaller story.

I suspect if it were not for last week's fatality, this attack wouldn't have made the news at all.

After last week, any dog attack will be news for a while because readers are sensitive about the issue.

Was it really an áttack', the lady was 77 and able to fend of two GSD with 1 bite and scratches. It might just be more media hysteria.

You're not serious? What would you call an attack? Granny in hospital? Dead? I'd suggest that she was very lucky to get inside - maybe she saw them coming over the fence.

A women was bitten by stray dogs that got over her fence to get to her - and here are dog owners saying it's just "more media hysteria". This kind of crap gives dog owners a bad name. This kind of attitude makes my blood boil (I can't tell you the number of times people have said to me - and I'm talking people who belong to breed clubs, show their dogs etc - "My dog could sort yours out", "if my dog attacked yours you'd know it because your dog would be dead" etc etc).

[OSoSwift]

What happened to this lady IS an attack.

A person does not need plastic surgery or have a limb half torn off to be classed as an attack. If that happened to me I would say the dogs attacked me, one bit her it's intent was quite clear, she didn't back them in a corner the confronted her.

Quite simple in my mind!

[Zug Zug]

I hope it was clear from my earlier post that I was not questioning whether it was an attack.

I was, however, saying that on it's own, and given the relatively minor consequences, it probably would not have been newsworthy if it were not for the previous incident.

I was attacked by a dog once. It was a serious attack and had some real consequences for me, both in terms of stitches and trauma. But it would never have been considered newsworthy.

I hope this woman has not been too badly hurt and shaken up. She no doubt felt very vulnerable. Thank goodness she was able to retreat into the house

[OSoSwift]

ZZ You did I wasn't refering to your comments, I was refering to Chevornes comments.

And you are right it potentially wouldn't have been news worthy if not for the other deadly attack those few days earlier

[JulesP]

The local news site is reporting that the dogs broke through a security dog into the lady's sunroom when she tried to escape. She managed to get into the house.

If they did do that it is a pretty bad attack imo. If dogs did that to me I would be having hysterics.

http://maroondah-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/dogs-attacks-elderly-ringwood-woman/

[LizT]

The local news site is reporting that the dogs broke through a security dog into the lady's sunroom when she tried to escape. She managed to get into the house.

If they did do that it is a pretty bad attack imo. If dogs did that to me I would be having hysterics.

http://maroondah-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/dogs-attacks-elderly-ringwood-woman/

It certainly does sound like these two dogs were totally out of control.

[LizT]

Poor woman That is just horrible.

You know what really pisses me off though? Why have we heard nothing about this attack in the news? And why did this article still end up being about how dangerous pit bulls supposedly are?!

I heard it on Channel Nines 6.30 pm news.

It was a non biased report about a poor 77 year old lady who was attacked in her yard by a pair of German Shepherds and was "driven back into her home and received bites to her ankles".

Whilst I am not trying to make light of this poor womans experience.

It is true that it would not have made the media two weeks ago. It probably would not have even been reported to the media but been delt with on a local level.

My ex's Grandmother received similar injuries when the familys Rodesian Ridgeback Puppy decided to be too playful and was snapping at her ankles. She had scratches everywhere before a family member was able to intervene as the old lady was unable to stop the dog.

Without knowing the full story behind this particular dog attack it can easily become fodder for the media.

The frail tissue thin skin of the elderly and the sharp teeth of a puppy are not a good conbination.

Again, it comes down to someone not tending to their animals properly.

um, a grandmother was attacked by two dogs on her own fenced property - that would always make the news in Melbourne.

Please don't compare that with someone having their ankles bitten by a puppy for goodness sake.

I am against BSL. But I'm also against dog lovers saying calling what has happened recently (a child killed by a dog in her own home!) media hysteria. What has happened in both these cases is disgusting - nothing hysterical about it.

You would be surprised how many dog attacks do not get reported to the Media and are delt with between council and owners, or owners and Solicitors.

I wasn't comparing ankles being bitten by puppy, I was highlighting the vunerablility of certain demongraphics in the community. In this instance the elderly. BTW the "puppy" was a 8 months old RR and the elderly lady required medical attention.

[tarope]

So an old lady 77 fights off two GSD's and only gets bitten on the ankle and scratched, must have been very small GSD's maybe the mini verity. ;)