Had E(bloody)nough

[BoStoNmAdNeSs]

I have a BTM - Bull Terrier (Miniature) along with a Chihuahua and a Cavalier King Charles. Our dogs live in mad house with 4 crazy kids (and all of their friends coming and going) and three cats. The dogs are wrassled and roughed up by the kids, and yep, tormented at times by the younger daughter and just LOVE the attention. Never too many dull moments for them, always someone giving them attention. All pretty much bomb proof at home in our own environment.

I take the BTM in particular for three 6k walks every week and the odd other little walk here and there. This girl two years ago loved the walks. I took her everywhere and anywhere, always around people, to events, anywhere to socialise her, whatever I could do to continue her education.

In the last 9 months I've had SIX incidents whilst I've been walking her around the streets where we've had some WANKERS bloody dogs race out of a front or back yard to have an aggressive go at my dog/s. None really eventuated into anything that drew blood (remember, my dog is on a lead and let me tell you, shes not a fighter, shes a lover and hopeless at defending herself...she panics and wants to scoot off rather than fight). More often than not in these 6 attacks I havent seen it coming as they've snuck up from behind. Mostly the owners have been out in the front gardens with their dogs, gardening away, off in frickin' lah lah land and letting their dogs roam happily around in their front yard, no leads or restraint. I reckon 5 out of the 6 have been people aged 60+.

Last Sunday there was blood drawn and it was my girl that copped it yet again. Some absolute TOSSER had his Rottweiler X sitting outside his Mechanics business. I did see it from across the road (the yard was set back quite a bit) and I was across the opposite side of the road. I watched it out of the corner of the eye and it didnt move. Bugger me dead, 30 seconds later as I passed it had snuck up behind and starting fighting with my girl. Again, she just panicked and didnt put up much defence. I laid 5 BIG bloody boots into this dog, it tried to bite me but didnt latch on, then it took off. I went back once the dog took off back to the garage and I rang the number on the front and gave the bloke a bollocking. If I had someone else with me to hold my dog, I would have gone across the road and belted the heck out of him because of his apathetic attitude.

My whole point here though is over the last 3 months, Ive noticed my girl just getting more worried about any little noise or action or movement around her. Today (first walk after that attack) - she shit every time she heard a noise behind her or someone come walking up. I've got a LOT of work to do with this girl now because of shit head irresponsible idiots in this town. Ive had enough. Im WORRIED for this girl now because where I had doen SO much work and I knew how she would react in certain situations, now she can't be trusted because I see she is scared and scared dogs can be dangerous dogs.

For those about to froth at the mouth and say that I should have reported these owners and their dogs, yep I should have in hindsight and I probably wont have much hesitation in doing so in the future. My way has always been to sort things myself (rightly or wrongly) and I do have a reluctance in dobbing people in. Way I was brought up.

Had e(bloody)nough now, as I said above. If you live in Ballarat - CONTROL YOUR BLOODY DOGS

Edited September 10, 2011 by Bullish

[RuralPug]

Not going to froth at the mouth, mate, I feel your pain.

My way is to try to approach the owners first too, but that many incidents is just too many. Maybe you should approach council, just in general terms? If that doesn't work, maybe a rant to the Ballarat Courier about how council is not educating owners enough, or fining heavily enough in repeated cases etc?

I've seen myself that some areas of Ballarat are getting very very slack in repsonsible ownership. The local obedience club runs courses, most of the local vets runs puppy schools, so learning how to be a responsible owner is not all that difficult. Several times I've seen dogs roaming the streets in danger of getting run over or causing an accident - in those cases I always try to catch the dog and take it to Gilles Street. If I can't catch it I will notify the ranger on duty.

[BoStoNmAdNeSs]

I rarely come across dogs that are running loose (ie escaped). Always got their dimwit owners somewhere near by. One of those 6 times above I had the Bully and the Chi with me when they were attacked. The Chi hates going for walks now. Whilst she is a worry, my BTM is the one that has been terrorised out of this.

[JulesP]

I feel your pain. I don't walk from my house anymore as it is too scary. In my case I have to negotiate a heap of guard dogs. They are locked up but a few times they have been out. The only thing that saved my border one time was his thick coat.

I drive to civilized on lead walking areas now.

[tobie]

I too feel your pain as I walk my dogs everyday and on numerous occassions loose dogs have charged/attacked my dogs as a result one of my dogs has become fear aggressive towards other dogs so now reacts everytime he sees other dogs. My dogs have always been very well socialised however due to these attacks my boy can no longer be trusted around other dogs other than my own dogs as he is a giant breed so he could cause too much damage to another dog and I just don't want to risk it.

It is so frustrating when you do the right things with your dogs ie walk reguarly, socialise etc and all it takes is irresponsible owners having their dogs out and your dog suffers as a result.

[cybergenesis]

Thankfully this has not happened to me yet.

My dog is a Labrador, but a rather fearless and large male.

Every time I pass another dog walking, my dog goes crazy and tries to get to the other dog. Doesn't matter how big or rough the other dog is, my dog does not hesitate to try and get to it. Luckily I am a large bloke (120kg) and have the strength to control my dog.

But I am sure that sooner or later another dog is going to come running at my Labrador, I just hope its a smaller dog that can't inflict damage.

I have had some close calls. One dog was very interested in my Labrador, and the gate was open to their property. However, it didn't seem to be able to figure out that it would have to back up and go around the side to get to my dog. In that case the dog is only medium sized, and more likely than not my dog would eat it for breakfast- not that I would let it come to that, but I will allow my dog to defend itself if its attacked.

[BoStoNmAdNeSs]

One stupid fool had the audacity to go off crook at me because I wasnt lifting my 2 dogs (Bully and Chi) off the ground when his two Jack Russells charged and attacked.

Fair dinkum....YARGGH

[Ozstar]

I no longer walk my dogs around the town because of the same thing always happening.

I now drive out of town (only a few km's for me) and walk them on the back roads, no houses and hardly any traffic

Leanne

[TessiesTracey]

Same sh*t, different day - sounds just about like where I walk my two. Can empathise completely!

Incident a couple of weeks ago goes a bit like this; I'm walking our two Staffords along the road, could see the occupants of a house out in their front garden where I KNOW there are at least 3 white fluffies of some description living. Well, we're still about 100 metres away, and out charge the 3 fluffies, one in particular with teeth beared screaming merry bloody hell, flying towards us where I am now stood still in the middle of the road.

I'm left with no choice other than to just walk on in the same direction as I was originally going, because if I turned around and walked away the little b*stards would have just given chase (from behind then) anyway.

So I carry on walking, female owner of 3 fluffies comes running squealing at the dogs, frantically trying to pick them up. Must give my two their due though, they did exactly as they were told and carried on walking next to me.

Bloody female owner was so panicky and stressed! I carried on and walked home, took my two inside and because this all took place only just down the road from where I live, I thought bugger this and went back to speak to owner.

Had serious words with her and basically said that she ought to be controlling her dogs or if she couldn't don't let them out in the front yard (besides ANYTHING else, they were more in danger of being run down!), her response pretty much though was well your dogs are Staffies and they really scare me!! I was like - hello, who's dogs were running out of control, snarling, barking and trying to nip at my dogs ankles???? I can control my dogs - you obviously can't! Friggin' idiot.

Anywho, it ended on good terms, because I specifically made a point of asking if she was ok because she seemed so shaken up by it (doesn't mean I think she was right, but I wanted to try and convey the 'good' side of the Staffords).

But, like you, I'm so OVER it!

[Clyde]

Someone I know has started walking his dogs with what he calls his 'staffy stick'. He's said he's sick and tired of being rushed by bull breed mixes and now starts swinging as soon as one comes near him. Drastic, but I can see where he's coming from in regards to protecting his dogs at all costs.

[cannibalgoldfish]

Someone I know has started walking his dogs with what he calls his 'staffy stick'.

I have one of these.. But not a staffy stick, it's just a stick. ( I get rushed by labs more than anything these days.)

[Animal House]

Take a big stick (or a riding crop) and don't hesitate to use it.

People should keep their dogs secured on their property!

Or take a drive and walk your dog somewhere else, it sucks that you have to do that though.

[Rebanne]

I have a riding crop and I don't hesitate to use it. If a stray dog comes within reach they get it. But mainly I take my greys to the local slipping track, never bothered there. :D

[raz]

I'm thinking of walking with a shovel because sooner or later one of the dogs left loose in it's unfenced front garden and rushing dog walkers on the other side of the road in my suburb is going to need to be scraped off the bitumen and handed back to the stupid owner. Young people frequently speed down this street so why idiots leave their dogs out is just beyond me. Every single day while out walking this happens.

[snippet]

I walk our four dogs, (3 whippets and a muzzled greyhound) and we have the same trouble. Mainly little fluffies that owners think are really cute because they are going a greyhound. My boy is a spook and scared stiff enough of everything without this making it worse. I have had owners abuse me for making their unsecured dogs run onto the street after mine..............hello!!!! lock up your dog, mine are on leads and I am legally allowed to walk all four at once. Mine all walk together beautifully I might add. I must say it must not have just been me because one dog owner told me the ranger had been contacted about his dog, so maybe thats the way to go.

[raz]

I have had owners abuse me for making their unsecured dogs run onto the street after mine..............hello!!!! lock up your dog

Isnt it amazing. I had a fluffy run across the road to see my dogs the other day. Grabbed her collar and told the owner I was worried she was about to be run over because it was on a blind corner. He grabbed her back and said she was an 'inside dog'. Ummm so how about KEEPING HER INSIDE. Sweet dog but if her dumb owner keeps that up she wont be a sweet dog for much longer - she'll be flipping roadkill.

[BoStoNmAdNeSs]

My breed is viewed by some of the uneducated masses as being 'dangerous'. I have a well trained, obedient dog that has never started a fight in her life but has ended up in a few because of the actions of others. Shes a Bull Terrier so obviously 'she' is the problem.

I don't know what I'm building up to here.....but again, I've had enough.

[Clyde]

Yep, you'll always get the blame - I've been there before. Now I don't let any other dogs near mine at all when we're out, I shoo the other dog away by any means possible, before it gets too close.

[korbin13]

I also have this problem, sigh. I also drive my dogs out bush and walk them there.

My issue now is that I feel bad that I am not getting them out and about with random people enough. They are almost 2 years old and I feel like I am letting them down socially. I have just started walking again in our area with a stick (about once a week) but I really have to work myself up to it!

Also, why is it that the bigger dogs will cower away from a stick, but the smaller dogs just keep coming? In my experience anyway.

[Sometimesnotoften]

As someone who has been the owner of the dog who has rushed and bitten I would say the best thing to do is complain to the council.

Long story as short as possible our dogs were in our front yard with the gate open (SUPERVISED!!! We never have them out free if they are unsupervised). We live on acreage and people often cycle up our road for recreation. Two of the dogs went to chase a bike and were immediately called back, one stopped but the GSD didnt. By the time the OH caught up she was heading home and the bike was gone. The next day our GSD was seized by the council, and we were informed she had bitten him. This had never happened before, she was very well trained but as she aged her general disposition was going south and we had been discussing what we should do with her about it (as obedience training was no longer enough). The bite was bad but not serious. We chose to have the dog was euthanized as a result, and of course we were fined.

Honestly I am glad he reported us. Otherwise we would never had known she had digressed to biting and the next time it could have been much more severe, or a child I was horrified she'd bitten in the first place. We made sure he was informed the dog was PTS so he would no longer fear cycling down our road. I think by bringing the council into the equation it takes all fear and risk of personal harm to you and your dog away, it holds the owner of the dog duly responsible and allows them to make a decision on how they will handle their dog in the future. Being confronted by an authority makes them realise it is a SERIOUS issue and not some nag with a dog who needs to harden up or not walk past their garage!

We were dealt with very well by the council and were not spoken to badly because our dog had done wrong, but if we had've been arrogant I think it would have been a different story - so often the punishment will fit the crime and the attitude behind it.

I think you should still report the Rotty, if not for you but the next person who walks their dog past that shop - they might not be as lucky!